Since 1946, the Festival de Cannes (aka the Cannes Film Festival) in France has been a beacon of cinematic excellence and cultural exchange.
For those who love the Academy Awards, films such as Parasite and Anora debuted here first before taking home an Oscar. This year promises to continue this worthy legacy despite fewer American entries than normal. Here’s everything you need to know as the festivities kick off this week.
How did the Cannes Film Festival begin?
In July 1938, a Nazi propaganda film helped inspire Philippe Erlanger to create a new film festival. He was one of many who were displeased that Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia and Goffredo Alessandrini’s Luciano Serra, Pilot took home the Mussolini Cup at the Venice Mostra due to pressure from Hitler.
Erlanger endeavored to create a fair competition based on merit, not politics. The first event was supposed to happen on September 1, 1939, but Germany invaded Poland and World War II was officially declared two days later.
The Cannes Film Festival was put on the back burner until peace could be obtained. The first festival would have included films such as The Wizard of Oz by Victor Fleming and Union Pacific by Cecil B. DeMille.
Six years later, in 1946, 19 countries finally participated, and Georges Huisman led the international jury. Every nation was awarded a Grand Prix as the world continued to heal from war. America’s entry was Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend.
Which films should you keep your eye on?
Fast-forward to 2026, and 2,541 feature films were submitted for consideration. Twenty-two will be up for the coveted Palme d’Or.
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will preside over the jury that will decide the victor.
Other members include director Chloé Zhao, actress Demi Moore, and actor Stellan Skarsgård.
There are only two American entries in the competition category of films this year.
James Gray’s Paper Tiger was added after the initial announcement. This crime drama tells the story of the Pearl brothers in 1980s Queens. While trying to pursue the American dream, these men get involved with the Russian mafia instead.
The film will bring the Hollywood A-listers to the French Riviera as its stars Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Miles Teller.
The other American entry is Ira Sachs’s The Man I Love, starring Rami Malek. It is also set in 1980s New York. The plot centers around Jimmy George, an actor with a life-threatening illness, as he tackles his final role.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All of a Sudden is the Japanese filmmaker’s first French movie. Fans are thrilled to see what this exciting voice has to say after his 2021 critically acclaimed flick Drive My Car. This was the first Japanese movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award.
You can find a full list of official sections on the festival’s website.
Who is being honored at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival?
Beyond films, individuals will also receive awards.
Both director and writer Peter Jackson and multi-hyphenate Barbra Streisand will take home Honorary Palme d’Ors. This is essentially a lifetime achievement award for their impressive resumes.
Jackson is best known for his work on The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Streisand’s career covers everything from Hello, Dolly! to Meet the Fockers, and that’s not counting her time behind the camera directing and producing.
The Cannes Film Festival runs May 12 through the 23.
