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Cannes 2026 Lineup Reveal Date Set: Palme d'Or Race Begins April 9

The Cannes Film Festival has scheduled the announcement of its 2026 Official Selection for April 9 at a Paris press conference led by Thierry Fremaux and Iris Knobloch. The 79th edition will then run from May 12 to 23, with acclaimed director Park Chan-wook presiding over the competition jury. The lineup reveal kicks off the race for the Palme d'Or and sets the tone for the international festival circuit. This follows a impactful 2025 edition where several Cannes premieres, including award-winners like 'It Was Just an Accident,' went on to major Oscar recognition.

Key Points: Cannes 2026 Official Selection Announcement Date Revealed

  • Official Selection announced April 9 in Paris
  • Festival runs May 12-23 on French Riviera
  • Park Chan-wook to serve as Jury President
  • 2025 edition fueled major Oscar contenders
2 min read

Cannes 2026: Official selection announcement date revealed ahead of May festival

The Cannes Film Festival will unveil its 2026 Official Selection on April 9. Park Chan-wook will preside over the jury for the May event.

"The reveal of the line-up traditionally offers the first glimpse of the films competing for the coveted Palme d'Or - Deadline"

Cannes, March 5

The countdown to the next edition of the world's most influential film festival has begun. Organisers of the Cannes Film Festival have confirmed that the Official Selection for its 79th edition will be unveiled on April 9 in Paris.

As per Deadline, the announcement will be made during a press conference led by festival Delegate General Thierry Fremaux and President Iris Knobloch. The festival itself is scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 23 on the French Riviera, drawing filmmakers, stars and industry professionals from around the globe.

The reveal of the line-up traditionally offers the first glimpse of the films competing for the coveted Palme d'Or and other top honours, setting the tone for the international festival circuit.

Acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will serve as jury president. Best known for directing the influential thriller 'Oldboy' and the upcoming project 'No Other Choice', Park will lead a jury whose remaining members are yet to be confirmed.

Expectations are high after a widely discussed 78th edition, which played a notable role in the recent awards season. Four of the five films nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards had their world premieres at Cannes.

Among them were Palme d'Or winner 'It Was Just an Accident,' Grand Prize recipient 'Sentimental Value', Jury Prize winner 'Sirat', and 'The Secret Agent,' which earned director Kleber Mendonca Filho the Best Director award and Wagner Moura the Best Actor prize.

Beyond the awards contenders, last year's festival also featured high-profile premieres. Kelly Reichardt debuted 'The Mastermind' in Competition alongside Richard Linklater's 'Nouvelle Vague.'

Meanwhile, actors Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson presented their feature directorial debuts- 'The Chronology of Water' and 'Eleanor the Great' in the Un Certain Regard section.

The Croisette also welcomed blockbuster spectacle when Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie premiered 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' out of competition, alongside Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest.'

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Park Chan-wook as jury president is a fantastic choice! Oldboy is a masterpiece. His perspective will be very interesting. The April 9th announcement can't come soon enough.
R
Rohit P
Last year's impact on the Oscars was huge. It shows Cannes is still the most important launchpad. Fingers crossed for more diverse storytelling from Asia and the Global South this time.
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Sarah B
While the glamour is undeniable, I sometimes feel Cannes can be a bit of an echo chamber for established names. Would love to see them take more risks with first-time directors from underrepresented regions.
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Vikram M
The mix of high-art competition films and big out-of-competition premieres like Mission Impossible is what makes Cannes unique. Something for everyone. Hope they stream some panels for us film students!
K
Kavya N
Always look forward to the Un Certain Regard section. That's where you often find the real gems. Stewart and Johansson directing last year was a great move. More power to women behind the camera! 👏

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