THE 79TH FESTIVAL DE CANNES OPENS WITH A CALL FOR RESISTANCE, CINEMA, AND BOLD STORYTELLING
The 79th Festival de Cannes officially opened on May 12, 2026, launching twelve days of screenings, premieres, red carpet moments, and global cinema celebrations on the Croisette. The opening ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière set the tone for this year’s festival with an emotionally charged tribute to filmmaking as both artistic expression and cultural resistance.
French actress Eye Haïdara electrified the ceremony as Mistress of Ceremonies, opening the evening with a message dedicated “to all of you who are trying to resist, here and elsewhere.” Joined by violinist Miri Ben-Ari, Haïdara referenced Jean-Luc Godard’s declaration that “We don’t make a film to be cautious,” while celebrating filmmakers who choose to confront difficult realities through their work.
The ceremony also spotlighted the 2026 Cannes Jury, bringing together an international lineup of acclaimed filmmakers and actors. Jury members include Demi Moore, Ruth Negga, Laura Wandel, Chloé Zhao, Diego Céspedes, Isaach De Bankolé, Paul Laverty, and Stellan Skarsgård, under the presidency of South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.
One of the evening’s standout moments came with a tribute to filmmaker Peter Jackson, introduced by longtime collaborator Elijah Wood. The New Zealand director received a standing ovation as he reflected on his history with the festival and the unexpected success that followed his previous appearances in Cannes. The tribute continued with musical performances by Theodora and Oklou, who performed a cover of The Beatles’ “Get Back” in reference to Jackson’s documentary series “The Beatles: Get Back.”
Closing the ceremony, legendary actresses Gong Li and Jane Fonda took the stage together to officially declare the 79th Festival de Cannes open, calling for the celebration of “boldness, freedom, and the fierce act of creation.”
The evening concluded with the premiere screening of Pierre Salvadori’s “La Vénus électrique” (“The Electric Kiss”), which simultaneously opened in French cinemas nationwide through a special partnership with the Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français.
Running through May 23, 2026, this year’s Cannes Film Festival is expected to once again dominate the global cultural conversation, bringing together filmmakers, actors, artists, fashion houses, and industry leaders from around the world for one of cinema’s most influential annual gatherings.
