As the Cannes Film Festival gets underway, EnVols reveals everything you need to know about the 2026 edition of this unmissable celebration of cinema.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABfmAsO9E04
What is the Cannes Film Festival?
The Cannes Film Festival is an annual event celebrating international cinema, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, distributors and critics from around the world. It is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognised film competitions in the world.
Its Jury is made up of professionals representing every sector of the film industry and is tasked with judging the films presented in the Official Competition. Each year, the Festival awards the Palme d’Or to the best feature film in the Official Selection.
The Festival is also renowned for its famous red-carpet staircase, where the biggest names in cinema gather — an essential event in the world of the seventh art.
The different sections of the Cannes Film Festival
- The Official Selection and Official Competition
- Un Certain Regard, which honours emerging directors and independent films
- Cinéfondation, which showcases short films made by students from film schools
Awards presented during the Cannes Film Festival
- The Palme d’Or
- Best Actress Award
- Best Actor Award
- Jury Prize
- Best Director Award
- Best Screenplay Award
Where does the Cannes Film Festival 2026 take place?
The Cannes Film Festival is held every year in Cannes, on the French Riviera in south-eastern France. It takes place at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, located on the famous Boulevard de la Croisette, with films in competition screened in the Louis Lumière Auditorium.
Special screenings and out-of-competition films are also presented to the public and invited guests throughout the Festival.
When is the Cannes Film Festival 2026 taking place?
As every year, the Festival will be held in spring. For its 79th edition, La Croisette will welcome the biggest stars in cinema from 12 to 23 May 2026.
For two weeks, Cannes becomes the centre of global attention and the ultimate gathering place for film lovers.
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 poster: a tribute to an iconic duo
This year, the Cannes Film Festival is paying tribute to another legendary duo: Thelma and Louise. Thirty-five years after Ridley Scott’s film premiered on La Croisette on 20 May 1991, the heroines portrayed by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon return on the Festival’s official poster.
Through this behind-the-scenes image from the cult feminist road movie, Cannes celebrates 'absolute freedom and unbreakable friendship' embodied by the two women who transformed the codes of cinema and society alike.
'Remembering them today means celebrating how far we have come, while recognising how much further there is still to go,' explained the organisers.
Who attends the Cannes Film Festival?
The fortnight-long celebration of cinema brings together numerous personalities from the world of film — and beyond. Actors, directors, screenwriters, producers and composers all gather for the duration of the Festival.
Many films are screened, including those outside competition, and Cannes is also an opportunity to attend press conferences for the selected films.
Which stars will attend the Cannes Film Festival 2026?
As every year, some of the world’s biggest stars are expected to walk the red carpet. This year, Cannes is expected to welcome Gillian Anderson (Sex Education, The Crown, The X-Files), Leïla Bekhti, Jane Fonda, Kristen Stewart, John Travolta, Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel, Payal Kapadiya, Laurent Lafitte, Woody Harrelson and Adam Driver, among others.
Who is presiding over the Cannes Film Festival 2026 Jury?
This year, the Cannes Film Festival Jury will be chaired by South Korean director, screenwriter and producer Park Chan-wook.
He will be joined by American actress and producer Demi Moore, Irish-Ethiopian actress and producer Ruth Negga, Belgian director and screenwriter Laura Wandel, Chinese director and screenwriter Chloé Zhao, Chilean director and screenwriter Diego Céspedes, Ivorian-American actor Isaach De Bankolé, Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård.
Films selected for the Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2026
- La Vénus Électrique, by Pierre Salvadori – Out of Competition
- Amarga Navidad, by Pedro Almodóvar
- La Vie d’une femme, by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet
- La Bola Negra, by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi
- Coward, by Lukas Dhont
- Histoires Parallèles, by Asghar Farhadi
- Paper Tiger, by James Gray
- Das Geträumte Abenteuer, by Valeska Grisebach
- Soudain, by Hamaguchi Ryusuke
- L’Inconnue, by Arthur Harari
- Garance, by Jeanne Herry
- Sheep In The Box, by Koreeda Hirokazu
- Hope, by Na Hong-Jin
- Nagi Notes, by Fukada Koji (Quelques Jours à Nagi)
- Gentle Monster, by Marie Kreutzer
- Notre Salut, by Emmanuel Marre
- Fjord, by Cristian Mungiu
- Histoires de la Nuit, by Léa Mysius
- Moulin, by László Nemes
- Fatherland, by Paweł Pawlikowski
- The Man I Love, by Ira Sachs
- El Ser Querido, by Rodrigo Sorogoyen
- Minotaure, by Andrei Zvyagintsev
Air France, Official Partner of the Cannes Film Festival
Air France Beach returns to Cannes
A loyal partner of the Cannes Film Festival for 46 consecutive years, Air France continues this year to celebrate the seventh art, described by the airline as 'a provider of dreams, much like aviation itself'.
For this latest edition, the airline is reopening its private beach on La Croisette for a third season, which over the years has become one of the Festival’s most sought-after venues.
Located beside the Hôtel Martinez Cannes, Air France Beach recreates the atmosphere of the La Première cabin experience through an intimate restaurant (open for lunch bookings to all Festival guests), an outdoor lounge, a bar and deckchairs overlooking the sea.
A true haven of calm amidst the Cannes excitement.
This year, the airline is also celebrating the legacy of Concorde, the legendary aircraft whose first commercial flight marks its fiftieth anniversary in 2026.
Each evening, the venue becomes private to host exclusive dinners for the airline’s guests. Chef Mory Sacko has created the starter and main course served at these events, drawing inspiration from dishes designed for La Première passengers travelling between Abidjan and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Desserts are created by Claire Heitzler, named Pastry Chef of the Year 2013 by Gault & Millau, who also designs the sweet treats served in La Première cabins departing from Paris.
An exclusive setting by Air France
Another new feature this year is Air France’s private beachfront space, offering uninterrupted sea views. Festival-goers can book a tasting inspired by the La Première experience, pairing caviar and wines overlooking the Mediterranean.
This exclusive tasting showcases Sturia Osciètre caviar paired with Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires champagne, alongside Gérard Bertrand’s Clos du Temple rosé served with Sturia Aquitaine IGP caviar.
An equally refined alcohol-free alternative is also available, featuring French Bloom Rosé accompanied by a premium selection of Sturia Aquitaine caviar.
The venue is infused with the scent of AF001, the signature fragrance created by Francis Kurkdjian, Artistic Director of Maison Francis Kurkdjian — a luxurious experience bringing a touch of French art de vivre to La Croisette.
Air France Beach
Adjacent to the beach of the Hôtel Martinez Cannes.
Open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, by reservation only.
Lunch menu: €97 including drinks.
Caviar and wine tasting menu: €52.
Deckchair hire from €60.
Cannes Film Festival
12–23 May 2026
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes
1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes
festival-cannes.com
