Key Takeaways
Sean Baker's Anora wins the Palme d'Or, cementing his place as one of American cinema's most vital voices. Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez takes home the Jury Prize and Best Actress for its ensemble cast. Mohammad Rasoulof's The Seed of the Sacred Fig earns the Special Jury Prize in a powerful statement about artistic freedom. Indian cinema shines with Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine as Light winning the Grand Prix — the first Indian film to win a major prize at Cannes in over 30 years.
Selections & Films
Anora
A young sex worker from Brooklyn marries the son of a Russian oligarch, setting off a wild chain of events when the family intervenes.
Emilia Pérez
A Mexican cartel leader seeks the help of a lawyer to fake their death and undergo gender-affirming surgery in this bold musical-drama.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
An investigating judge in Tehran becomes increasingly paranoid as his family is drawn into the protests sweeping Iran.
All We Imagine as Light
Two nurses in Mumbai navigate loneliness, desire, and displacement in a luminous portrait of modern Indian womanhood.
The Substance
A fading celebrity discovers a black-market drug that creates a younger clone of herself, but the consequences are horrifying.
Bird
A 12-year-old girl living in chaos with her single father in Kent encounters a mysterious stranger who changes her perspective.
Kinds of Kindness
A triptych of darkly comic fables exploring themes of control, obsession, and freedom with an ensemble cast.
Megalopolis
A visionary architect battles a corrupt mayor over the rebuilding of New York City in Coppola's decades-in-the-making epic.
Motel Destino
A steamy noir set in a Brazilian roadside motel where desire and danger collide between a young drifter and a married woman.
The Village Next to Paradise
Three interconnected stories set in a Somali village explore the daily negotiations between hope and survival.
Armand
A parent-teacher meeting spirals into a gripping confrontation about accusation, guilt, and the complexity of childhood.
Santosh
A newly widowed woman takes over her late husband's police position and is thrust into a murder investigation in rural India.
Vingt Dieux
A young woman in rural France pursues her dream of making the perfect Comté cheese while navigating teenage rebellion.
Kneecap
The true story of the Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap, who rap in Irish and become unlikely champions of the Irish language movement.
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
A young Zambian woman discovers a family secret after her uncle's death, exposing the patriarchal systems embedded in tradition.
Libre
A true story about Bruno Sulak, France's most famous gentleman burglar of the 1980s, who robbed jewelers without ever using violence.
Palme d'Or & Official Prizes
Anora
Directed by Sean Baker — A vibrant, unpredictable tale of love, class, and chaos that took the top prize.
All We Imagine as Light
Directed by Payal Kapadia — A luminous, poetic exploration of longing and sisterhood in Mumbai.
Emilia Pérez
Directed by Jacques Audiard — A genre-defying musical about identity, redemption, and reinvention.
Grand Tour
Directed by Miguel Gomes — An inventive journey across colonial-era Asia blending fiction and documentary.
Emilia Pérez (Ensemble)
Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez share the prize for their extraordinary performances.
The Substance
Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat — A darkly satirical body-horror masterpiece about beauty standards.
Jury & Prizes
The 2026 Cannes jury brings together acclaimed filmmakers and artists to award the festival's most coveted prizes.
Competition Jury President
The jury evaluates all films in Competition for the Palme d'Or, Grand Prix, Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Performance awards.
Un Certain Regard Jury
A separate jury awards the Un Certain Regard Prize, Jury Prize, Best Director, and the Coup de Coeur award for bold new voices.
Caméra d'Or
Awarded to the best first feature film presented in any section of the Official Selection, Directors' Fortnight, or Critics' Week.
What's Generating Buzz
Our buzz scores aggregate critical reception, audience reactions, social media conversation, and awards potential.
Continue Your Journey
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Start Passport →Cannes Film Festival FAQ
What is the Palme d'Or at Cannes?
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It is given to the best film in the Competition section as determined by the festival jury. Past winners include Parasite, The Tree of Life, and Pulp Fiction. Winning the Palme d'Or is considered one of the highest achievements in cinema.
When is the Cannes Film Festival 2026?
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 runs from May 12 to May 23, 2026. The festival takes place annually in May on the French Riviera at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France.
What are the different sections at Cannes?
Cannes has several official sections: the Competition (main section competing for the Palme d'Or), Un Certain Regard (highlighting bold and original works), Out of Competition, Midnight Screenings, and Special Screenings. Parallel sections include the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) and Critics' Week (Semaine de la Critique).
Can you buy tickets to the Cannes Film Festival?
Cannes is primarily an industry-accredited festival, meaning most screenings require press, market, or professional accreditation. However, the Cinéphiles accreditation allows serious film lovers to attend. Some screenings at the Cinema de la Plage (Beach Cinema) are free and open to the public.
How are films selected for Cannes?
Films are selected by the festival's artistic director and programming team. The festival receives over 4,000 submissions each year but only selects around 50–60 for official sections. Films can be submitted by producers, sales agents, or directly invited by the festival. Selection is based on artistic merit, originality, and the vision of the filmmaker.
What is the significance of a Cannes premiere?
A Cannes world premiere significantly boosts a film's profile in the global market. The festival's press coverage reaches hundreds of millions worldwide. Films that premiere at Cannes often secure international distribution deals and generate strong awards-season buzz, making it the most important launchpad for art-house and auteur cinema.