Imagine: the sun of the French Riviera, global stars, incredible films… Welcome to the Cannes Film Festival! 🤩 Every year in May, this corner of French paradise becomes THE center of the film world. More than just a festival, it’s a giant party where art, business, and glamour meet in a dazzling spectacle. The 2026 edition (the 79th!) promises to be as magical as the previous ones, setting the cinematic trends for the year. For 12 days, Cannes transforms into a playground for film lovers, a place where new talents are discovered, legends are celebrated, and the future of cinema is shaped.
The excitement builds months in advance! 🗓️ Whispers of film names, expected stars, and everyone wonders who will win the famous Palme d’Or. The festival has a huge impact, not just on cinema, but also on fashion 👠, luxury, and celebrity culture worldwide. The climbing of the steps of the Palais des Festivals is THE fashion show of the year!
For the most up-to-date official information, always refer to the Official Cannes Film Festival Website.
📍 Cannes 2026: Dates, Location, and Stars on the Bill 🌟
Get your diaries ready! ✍️ The 79th Cannes Film Festival will take place from Tuesday, May 12 to Friday, May 23, 2026. The heart ❤️ of the event will, as always, be the famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, located at 1 boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes. This modern building, inaugurated in 1982, is huge with 35,000 sqm of exhibition space and ultra-modern screening rooms. Its red steps, “Les Marches Rouges” (The Red Steps), leading to the Grand Théâtre Lumière, have become an iconic symbol of world cinema. You can find more details about the venue at the Palais des Festivals official website.
Who will we see in 2026? (Based on early announcements, subject to change)
- President of the Jury (Main Competition): Park Chan-wook 🇰🇷, acclaimed South Korean filmmaker (Oldboy, Decision to Leave).
- Master of Ceremonies (Opening and Closing): Eye Haïdara 🇫🇷, talented French actress.
- Honorary Palme d’Or: Peter Jackson 🇳🇿 (Lord of the Rings) and Barbra Streisand 🇺🇸 (A Star is Born, Yentl)!
Cannes 2026 at a Glance 😉
| Event/Aspect | Details |
| 🗓️ Official Dates | May 12 to May 23, 2026 |
| 🏅 Edition | 79th |
| 📍 Main Venue | Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes |
| 👩⚖️ Jury President | Park Chan-wook |
| 🎤 Master of Ceremonies | Eye Haïdara |
| 🏆 Honorary Palme d’Or | Peter Jackson & Barbra Streisand |
Full Competition Lineup: 21 Films for the Palme d’Or 🌴
The 2026 competition features 21 films from three continents, with five female directors and a strong European presence. 65% of the films come from France, Japan, and Spain.
| Film | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|
| All of a Sudden | Ryusuke Hamaguchi | France, Japan, Germany |
| Another Day | Jeanne Herry | France, Belgium |
| The Beloved | Rodrigo Sorogoyen | Spain, France |
| The Birthday Party | Léa Mysius | France |
| Bitter Christmas | Pedro Almodóvar | Spain |
| The Black Ball | Ambrossi & Calvo | Spain, France |
| Coward | Lukas Dhont | Belgium, France |
| The Dreamed Adventure | Valeska Grisebach | Germany, France |
| Fatherland | Paweł Pawlikowski | Poland, UK, France |
| Fjord | Cristian Mungiu | Romania, Norway |
| Gentle Monster | Marie Kreutzer | Austria, France |
| Hope | Na Hong-jin | South Korea |
| A Man of His Time | Emmanuel Marre | Belgium, France |
| The Man I Love | Ira Sachs | United States, France |
| Minotaur | Andrey Zvyagintsev | France, Latvia |
| Moulin | László Nemes | France, Hungary |
| Nagi Notes | Koji Fukada | Japan, Singapore |
| Parallel Tales | Asghar Farhadi | France, US, Italy |
| Sheep in the Box | Hirokazu Kore-eda | Japan |
| The Unknown | Arthur Harari | France, Belgium |
| A Woman's Life | Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet | France, Belgium |
Un Certain Regard: 16 Films to Watch 🔍
The Un Certain Regard section opens with Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma by Jane Schoenbrun (USA). Other highlights include:
- All the Lovers in the Night by Yukiko Sode
- Club Kid by Jordan Firstman
- Everytime by Sandra Wollner
- I’ll Be Gone in June by Katharina Rivilis
- The Meltdown by Manuela Martelli
- Strawberries by Laïla Marrakchi
- Yesterday The Eye Didn’t Sleep by Rakan Mayasi
- Iron Boy by Louis Clichy
- Congo Boy by Rafiki Fariala
- Elephants in the Fog by Abinash Bikram Shah
- Forever Your Maternal Animal by Valentina Maurel
- Ben’Imana by Clémentine Dusabejambo
- Ulya by Viestur Kairish
- Words of Love by Rudi Rosenberg
Out of Competition, Midnight Screenings & More 🌙
Major out-of-competition screenings include Her Private Hell by Nicolas Winding Refn, Diamond by Andy Garcia, and Crescendo by Agnès Jaoui. Midnight screenings feature Karma (Guillaume Canet), Colony (Yeon Sang-ho), and Full Phil (Quentin Dupieux).
The Cannes Premiere section includes Kokurojo: The Samurai and the Prisoner by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Propeller One-Way Night Coach directed by John Travolta.
Special screenings include documentaries like Avedon (Ron Howard), Cantona (David Tryhorn & Ben Nicholas), and John Lennon: The Last Interview by Steven Soderbergh.
🎞️ At the Heart of Cinema: Films and World Premieres 🌍
The soul of the Festival is its films! The Official Selection is the main event, presenting new and varied films from around the world. To be selected, films must generally have been produced in the 12 months preceding the festival and not have been shown elsewhere internationally.
Here are the main categories of the Official Selection:
- In Competition: 🏆 Films vying for the Palme d’Or. Screened in the largest auditorium, the Théâtre Lumière.
- Un Certain Regard: ✨ Original films, often by young talents or with bold styles. Screened in the Salle Debussy.
- Out of Competition: 🎬 Major gala screenings at the Théâtre Lumière, but not competing for the Palme d’Or.
- Cannes Première: 🌟 A newer section for films by established filmmakers, screened at the Salle Debussy (out of competition).
- Midnight Screenings: 🌙 Genre films (horror, thriller) screened late at night in the Théâtre Lumière (out of competition).
- Special Screenings: 🎞️ Unique films due to their subject or format.
- La Cinef (formerly Cinéfondation): 🎓 Films from film schools around the world, to discover tomorrow’s talents. Salle Buñuel.
- Short Films Competition: 🎥 Short films (under 15 min) competing for the Short Film Palme d’Or. Salle Buñuel and Salle Debussy.
- Cannes Classics: 🏛️ Restored classic films and documentaries on film history. Salle Buñuel or Salle Agnès Varda.
- Cinéma de la Plage (Cinema on the Beach): 🏖️ FREE! Open-air screenings on Macé beach every evening. Open to all!
There are also important parallel sections:
- Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes): Independent, bold, often more experimental.
- Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique): Discovery of new talents (first and second films).
- ACID (Association for Independent Cinema and its Distribution): Promotes independent cinema and helps its distribution.
Being selected for Cannes is already a victory for a film, opening doors for it worldwide!
What to See Where? Festival Sections 🗺️
| Category | Description | Main Venue(s) |
| 🏆 In Competition | Films vying for the Palme d’Or | Grand Théâtre Lumière |
| ✨ Un Certain Regard | Innovative films, young talents | Salle Debussy |
| 🎬 Out of Competition | Major films premiering, not in competition | Grand Théâtre Lumière |
| 🌟 Cannes Première | Films by important filmmakers | Salle Debussy |
| 🌙 Midnight Screenings | Genre films (thrills guaranteed!) | Grand Théâtre Lumière |
| 🎞️ Special Screenings | Films with a unique character | Various |
| 🎓 La Cinef | Films from film schools | Salle Buñuel |
| 🎥 Short Films | Short film competition | Salle Buñuel, Salle Debussy |
| 🏛️ Cannes Classics | Restored masterpieces, docs on cinema | Salle Buñuel, Salle Agnès Varda |
| 🌊 Cinéma de la Plage | FREE Open-air films on Macé beach | Plage Macé |
| 🎬 Directors’ Fortnight | Independent and bold films | Théâtre du Noga/Croisette, Cinéma des Arcades, Olympia |
| 🧐 Critics’ Week | First and second films by new talents | Espace Miramar |
| 💡 ACID | Independent films seeking distribution | Cinéma des Arcades, Palais des Festivals, etc. |
🏆 The Awards: The Holy Grail of Cinema 🏅
Winning an award at Cannes means becoming a legend!
The Palme d’Or 🌴 is THE supreme prize, rewarding the best film in Competition. It can change the destiny of a film and its creators.
Other important awards given by the Competition Jury (chaired by Park Chan-wook in 2026):
- Grand Prix: The second most prestigious prize.
- Jury Prize (Prix du Jury): Rewards a film for its originality or artistic strength.
- Best Director (Prix de la mise en scène).
- Best Actor (Prix d’interprétation masculine).
- Best Actress (Prix d’interprétation féminine).
- Best Screenplay (Prix du scénario).
A film can generally only receive one of these awards (with rare exceptions).
Other notable awards:
- Prix Un Certain Regard: For innovative films in this section.
- Caméra d’Or: Best first feature film across all sections.
- Short Film Palme d’Or.
- La Cinef Prizes: For student films.
Cannes Festival Trophies 🌟
| Award | What it Recognizes |
| 🌴 Palme d’Or | Best film in Competition (the very best!) |
| 🥈 Grand Prix | Second most important award in Competition |
| 🥉 Jury Prize | Film noted for its originality/artistic vision |
| 🎬 Best Director | Best director in Competition |
| 🎭 Best Actor/Actress | Best actor / Best actress in Competition |
| ✍️ Best Screenplay | Best screenplay in Competition |
| ✨ Prix Un Certain Regard | Innovative film from the Un Certain Regard section |
| 🎥 Caméra d’Or | Best first film (all sections) |
| 🎞️ Short Film Palme d’Or | Best short film |
🎉 The Cannes Experience: More Than Just Films! 🚶♀️🚶♂️
Experiencing Cannes is a unique atmosphere!
- The Iconic Red Carpet (Les Marches Rouges): 📸 The most photographed spectacle in the world! This is where stars enter for gala screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
- Strict Dress Code for Galas: Tuxedo and bow tie for men, evening gown or chic cocktail dress for women. No sneakers!
- Seeing the stars: Public viewing areas are often set up near the Palais to watch the red carpet arrivals. Arrive early!
- Gala Screenings: 🌟 World premiere presentations with the film crews, every evening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière (around 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM).
- Masterclasses, Q&As, Workshops: 🗣️ Special moments to listen and interact with big names in cinema. Peter Jackson & Barbra Streisand will give one in 2026! The Marché du Film (Film Market) also offers many conferences.
- Cinéma de la Plage (Cinema on the Beach): 🏖️🎬 FREE ACCESS! Every evening around 9:30 PM, films are screened outdoors on Macé Beach. A great, friendly atmosphere under the stars!
- The Marché du Film (Film Market): 💼 The business side of the festival. This is where film rights are bought and sold. Less visible to the general public, but essential to the industry.
- La Croisette Buzzing: ✨ The famous Boulevard de la Croisette becomes the center of the world. Luxury boutiques, legendary hotels (Martinez, Majestic, Carlton), stars, parties… The atmosphere is electric! Even without a ticket, strolling along La Croisette during the festival is an experience in itself.
How to access and enjoy the Festival? 🤔🎟️
- Accreditations: Mainly for film industry professionals. However, there is the “3 Days in Cannes” program for young film lovers (18-28 years old), offering access to the Official Selection screenings. Check the Official Festival Website for accreditation details.
- Online Box Office: For accredited attendees, tickets for screenings are free and booked online.
- Last-minute access: If you have a badge (even “3 Days in Cannes”) but no ticket for a screening, try your luck in the last-minute queues! Many spectators get in this way.
- Getting around:
- For the Cineum (another screening venue): The Palm Express A bus line will have increased frequency. The journey is free for festival-goers upon presentation of a downloadable QR code.
- The Palais des Festivals is central and accessible on foot from many parts of Cannes.
- Main screening venues at the Palais des Festivals:
- Grand Théâtre Lumière: Competition, Out of Competition, Midnight Screenings. Access via the Red Steps.
- Salle Debussy: Un Certain Regard, Cannes Première, Short Films, Masterclasses. Access via the Debussy Steps.
- Salle Agnès Varda: Reruns of the Official Selection, Special Screenings. Access via the Riviera Roof.
- Salle Buñuel: Cannes Classics, La Cinef, Masterclasses. Access via the main entrance of the Palais, level 5.
- Salle Bazin: Reruns of the Official Selection. Access via the main entrance of the Palais, level 3.
📜 A Global Cinematic Legacy 🌍
The Cannes Film Festival has a rich history! Born in 1946 (after a first aborted attempt in 1939 due to the war), it aimed to celebrate the art of cinema, free from political pressure.
It revealed movements like Italian neorealism and the French New Wave. The Palme d’Or was created in 1955. The events of May ’68 in France even interrupted the festival and led to the creation of the more independent Directors’ Fortnight.
Cannes has launched cult films that went on to win Oscars, like “Parasite” or “Anora“. The festival is an incredible springboard for filmmakers worldwide, especially for auteur cinema. It influences trends, film distribution, and even fashion!
🥂 The Opening and Closing Ceremonies 🎉
These are the most glamorous moments, broadcast worldwide! They mark the beginning and end of the festival with pomp and emotion.
In 2026, French actor Eye Haïdara will be the Master of Ceremonies.
- Opening Ceremony (Tuesday, May 12, 2026): 🎊
- Presentation of the Jury.
- Awarding of the Honorary Palme d’Or to Peter Jackson & Barbra Streisand.
- World premiere screening of the opening film: “The Electric Kiss” (Venus Electrificata) by Pierre Salvadori (Out of Competition).
- Starts around 7:15 PM.
- Closing Ceremony (Saturday, May 23, 2026): 🏆
- Announcement of the awards by the Jury President, Park Chan-wook, including the highly anticipated Palme d’Or!
- Speeches by the laureates.
- Often, screening of a closing film.
These ceremonies are also sometimes an opportunity for artists to convey important messages.
☀️ Explore the Riviera: More Than the Festival! 🚗🏞️
Take advantage of being on the Côte d’Azur to discover its wonders! Cannes is an ideal starting point. For tourist information about Cannes and the region, visit the Cannes Tourist Office website.
Getting to Cannes from Nice? Check our complete guide: Nice to Cannes: All Transport Options Compared with prices, travel times, and tips for the Film Festival.
Day trip ideas from Cannes:
| Destination | Why go? |
| 🏖️ Nice | Promenade des Anglais, Old Nice, Matisse & Chagall museums. |
| 🏰 Antibes | Charming old town, ramparts, Picasso Museum. |
| 🌹 Grasse | World perfume capital! Visit perfumeries (Fragonard, Galimard). |
| 🎰 Monaco | Glamour, Monte-Carlo Casino, Prince’s Palace. |
| ⛰️ Èze | Perched medieval village, incredible views, Exotic Garden. |
| 🎨 St-Paul de Vence | Artists’ village, galleries, Maeght Foundation. |
Taste the local flavors! 😋 Provençal cuisine is delicious: olive oil, herbs, seafood…
- Socca: Thin, crispy chickpea pancake. A delight!
- Pissaladière: Tart with caramelized onions, anchovies, olives.
- Salade Niçoise: Tuna, fresh vegetables, eggs, anchovies… a classic.
- Ratatouille: Stew of sun-drenched vegetables.
- Fleurs de Courgettes Farcies/Beignets (Stuffed/Fried Zucchini Flowers): A local specialty.
- Tapenade: Olive, caper, and anchovy spread. Perfect on fresh bread.
- Rosé Wine from Provence: Light and refreshing, ideal with local cuisine!
The Forville Market in Cannes is a must for fresh produce.
Staying in Nice during the Festival? 🏖️
Nice is only 30 minutes from Cannes by train and makes a perfect base during the festival. Hotels are cheaper, the nightlife is better, and you get the best of both worlds. Here are our top guides:
- Best Restaurants in Nice for dinner after the screenings
- Best Nightclubs in Nice for after-parties
- Best Beaches in Nice for daytime relaxation
- Nice Airport to City Centre transport guide
- Best Places to Stay in Nice by neighborhood
- Boat Rental on the Riviera for a luxury experience between screenings
Want a private boat from Nice to Cannes during the Festival?
Arrive in style. Skip the traffic. Get a free quote.
🤔 FAQ: Frequently Asked Tourist Questions
Thomas
I’m Thomas, founder of Nice Party Life. We share the best tips, from hidden gems to must-sees, to make your stay in Nice unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking nightlife or city adventures, we’re here to guide you! 🌴✨
