Cannes Red Carpet Anticipation
Gillian Anderson, Rami Malek, Cara Delevingne, and John Travolta are set to grace the red carpet at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which has announced a lineup rich in unique voices for its 79th installment.
Competing for the Palme d’Or
In the running for the prestigious Palme d’Or are fresh works from celebrated directors including Pedro Almodóvar, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Paweł Pawlikowski, László Nemes, and Asghar Farhadi.
New Projects from Renowned Directors
Almodóvar, who has previously claimed awards at Cannes for films like All About My Mother, returns with Bitter Christmas, exploring the lives of filmmakers who draw inspiration from each other’s struggles. Pawlikowski features Sandra Hüller as the daughter of celebrated novelist Thomas Mann in Fatherland, set just before the Mann family’s return from their American exile after World War II.
Notable Films From Eastern European Directors
Hungarian filmmaker László Nemes, an Oscar winner for Son of Saul, presents Moulin, a drama rooted in the French resistance. Meanwhile, Cristian Mungiu returns with Fjord, a narrative set in Norway.
A Focus on International Voices
Exiled director Andrey Zvyagintsev will debut his political thriller Minotaur, and two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi showcases Parallel Tales, starring Isabelle Huppert and Vincent Cassel. This year’s lineup, notably, lacks many American filmmakers, a contrast to discussions around last year’s festival regarding American tariff threats in the film industry.
Upcoming Debuts and Special Screenings
Ira Sachs is the only U.S. director competing with The Man I Love, capturing the effects of the AIDS epidemic on artists, starring Malek. Under the Un Certain Regard category, premieres include Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, with Anderson, and Jordan Firstman’s debut Club Kid. Andy Garcia’s film Diamond will screen out of competition, backed by a star-studded cast.
Festival Highlights
This year’s Cannes festival runs from May 12 to 23, 2026, with Park Chan-wook heading the jury. Cannes director Thierry Frémaux remarked that 2,491 films were submitted, a significant increase from a decade ago. Additionally, John Travolta will present his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, inspired by his past as a licensed pilot. Documentaries are also prominent, including Stephen Soderbergh’s John Lennon: The Last Interview, focusing on the Beatle’s final moments.
