The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival, an unmissable event in international cinema, returns for its 78? edition from May 12 to 23, 2026. This long-awaited celebration will feature previews, prestigious galas and major events such as the Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week, dedicated to the discovery of new talent and daring works. This year's festival will welcome a host of cinema personalities, and will be hosted by Laurent Lafitte, Master of Ceremonies for this new edition. The Cannes Film Festival was created to reward the best film in the competition with the Festival Grand Prix, as well as the best director and actor. Each year, the event attracts some 12,500 participants.

The year's most eagerly awaited cinephile event attracts tens of thousands of visitors, mainly from the film industry: professionals, actors, journalists and directors from all over the world. Today, the festival is evolving with the times, opening its doors to new creators, influencers and personalities from other horizons, enriching its influence far beyond cinema to art in general. 

Unmissable Cannes Film Festival Events

Renowned for its prestige and emblematic awards, including the Palme d'Or, every year the Cannes Film Festival invites film enthusiasts to share and present their projects.

The event offers a rich and varied program, featuring over 80 films from a wide range of genres. The Official Selection is divided into several categories:

·      The Feature Film Competition, where films in contention for the Palme d'Or compete.

·      Un Certain Regard, which spotlights emerging directors and audacious works.

The Cannes Film Festival also opens the door to the presentation of short films, offering young talent a platform to showcase their creativity.

In addition to screenings, the festival offers a wide range of cultural and professional events. Among them, the “Rendez-vous”, genuine moments of exchange between artists and festival-goers. At the 76? edition, iconic figures such as Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas shared their vision of cinema.

The festivities also extend to special screenings:

·      Cannes Classics, dedicated to restored masterpieces and cult films.

·      Cinema de la Plage, offering festival-goers open-air screenings under the stars.

An exceptional event where tradition and modernity meet to celebrate the 7? art.

The emblematic Tapis Rouge

The red carpet is an unmissable moment that unites the world of cinema and haute couture, bringing together all Festival guests to climb the 24 steps of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. A true symbol, the red carpet is a major media event, offering the opportunity to admire the film stars and their elegant outfits.

Cannes Festival: Access, Initiatives and Media Coverage

Here's some practical information to help you get the most out of your Cannes Film Festival week. Although the event is mainly reserved for filmmakers and guests, since 2012, the opening film is now screened in French cinemas on the same day it is presented at Cannes. What's more, the opening ceremony is broadcast in cinemas, enabling spectators to follow the opening night live.

The festival also offers several ways to enjoy the year's films. Every evening, the Cinéma de la Plage organizes open-air screenings open to all. Since 2018, the festival has launched “Three Days in Cannes”, an initiative aimed at inviting young people aged 18 to 28 to discover the films in the Official Selection. This operation has been so successful that it has become perennial. In 2024, it welcomed 3,000 young people from all over the world.

In addition, certain parts of the Festival are broadcast live or shared on official Festival accounts. From May 12 to 23, 2026, France Televisions and Brut will offer exhaustive and varied coverage of the event, to ensure that it shines on every screen and reaches every audience.

For more information, please consult these links.

Festival de Cannes - Festival de cinéma international depuis plus de 78 ans