Overview
- The opening ceremony, which takes place Tuesday, will be hosted by Eye Haïdara and followed by Pierre Salvadori’s La Vénus électrique screened out of competition, with guest of honor Peter Jackson set to receive an honorary Palme.
- The main competition features 22 films, with a jury led by South Korean director Park Chan-wook and jurors including Demi Moore and Chloé Zhao deciding the prizes on May 23.
- Organizers expect nearly 40,000 accredited attendees and tens of thousands of visitors, and the city estimates the event drives over €200 million in economic impact and about 20% of hotels’ annual turnover.
- With no new Hollywood blockbusters on the slate—including films by Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan and the latest Star Wars—festival chief Thierry Frémaux and France’s film agency warn the industry faces a fragile moment with fewer big releases.
- The official poster featuring Thelma & Louise drew criticism from advocacy group Collectif 50/50, which points to only five women directors among the 22 films in competition.