PALME D’OR RACE IGNITES CROISETTE AS JURY TAKES SEATS

CANNES — The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival has transformed this seaside resort into the epicenter of international cinema. Running from 12 to 23 May 2026, the festival opened with Pierre Salvadori’s period comedy, The Electric Kiss.

South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook leads this year’s main competition jury. He is joined by an elite panel including Demi Moore, Ruth Negga, Chloé Zhao, and Stellan Skarsgård to review 22 films fighting for the Palme d’Or.

Early standouts include Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut Club Kid, which earned a 6-minute standing ovation and intense applause. Global industry giants have descended on the Marché du Film. High-profile sales are already locking in global distribution deals.