Cannes Film Festival 2026: Farhadi, Almodóvar and Zvyagintsev Lead Star-Studded Race for Palme d’Or

Global cinema heavyweights Asghar Farhadi, Pedro Almodóvar and Andrey Zvyagintsev are among 21 directors competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, organisers have announced, setting the stage for one of the most diverse editions in recent years.

Festival director Thierry Frémaux unveiled the official main competition lineup in Paris on Thursday, confirming strong representation from Japan and Spain, alongside a notable absence of major Hollywood studio productions from the French Riviera showcase.

Among the leading contenders is Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda, a former Palme d’Or winner for Shoplifters in 2018, while Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu also returns to competition with his new film Fjord, set in Norway and starring Renate Reinsve.

This year’s selection also highlights a surge in historical storytelling, with organisers noting a noticeable shift toward reflective and period-driven narratives across global cinema.

Outside the main competition, football-themed documentaries are drawing attention, including films exploring the legacy of French football icon Eric Cantona and the infamous 1986 World Cup clash between England and Argentina, remembered for Diego Maradona’s controversial “Hand of God” goal.

Hollywood presence is comparatively limited this year, though actors Woody Harrelson and Kristen Stewart will feature in Full Phil, a Paris-set film directed by Quentin Dupieux.

Frémaux acknowledged the reduced studio participation, saying, “The United States will be represented. The studios a bit less,” during the press briefing.

The festival will also premiere Propeller One-Way Night Coach, the directorial debut of Hollywood veteran John Travolta, presented out of competition and described as a nostalgic story set in aviation’s so-called golden age.

Organisers say this year’s programme reflects a broader global mood, balancing heavy historical themes with lighter, escapist storytelling amid ongoing international tensions.

The festival will also honour cultural icons Barbra Streisand and Peter Jackson with honorary Palme d’Or awards in recognition of their contributions to global cinema.

Meanwhile, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, known for Oldboy, will serve as jury president for this year’s edition, overseeing the selection of the festival’s top prize winner.

The 2025 Palme d’Or was awarded to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for It Was Just an Accident, a politically charged thriller that underscored the festival’s increasing engagement with global conflict-driven storytelling.