The esteemed judging panel for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival has been unveiled, with South Korean director Park Chan-wook at its helm. This year's jury features a distinguished lineup of international film luminaries, including acclaimed actors Demi Moore and Stellan Skarsgård, as well as Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao. Alongside them are Irish-Ethiopian actress and producer Ruth Negga, Belgian director Laura Wandel, Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes, Ivorian-American actor Isaach De Bankolé, and Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty. This assembly of diverse talents will undertake the critical task of evaluating 22 films in competition to determine the winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or, continuing Cannes' tradition of celebrating cinematic excellence.

The Illustrious Panel for the 79th Cannes Film Festival

On May 4, 2026, the organizers of the Cannes Film Festival officially announced the full composition of the jury that will serve under the presidency of acclaimed director Park Chan-wook. Among the notable additions are Hollywood icon Demi Moore, fresh from her critically lauded performance in Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” which garnered her numerous accolades. Filmmaker Chloé Zhao, celebrated for her Oscar-winning work on “Nomadland” and “Hamnet,” brings her distinctive artistic vision to the panel. Veteran actor Stellan Skarsgård, who received an Oscar nomination for his role in Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” last year, also joins the esteemed group. Complementing these figures are Ruth Negga, known for her impactful role in “Loving”; Laura Wandel, whose film “Adam’s Sake” premiered at Critics Week; Isaach De Bankolé, set to appear in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Three”; Diego Céspedes, a recipient of the Un Certain Regard prize for “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo”; and Paul Laverty, a two-time Palme d'Or-winning screenwriter for his collaborations with Ken Loach. This distinguished jury will meticulously review the selection of 22 films vying for the coveted Palme d'Or, a tradition upheld since Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” claimed the top honor under Juliette Binoche's jury last year. The 79th edition of the festival promises an exciting cinematic showcase, featuring upcoming works from directors such as James Gray, Asghar Farhadi, Pedro Almodóvar, Paweł Pawlikowski, Ira Sachs, Hirokazu Kore-eda, László Nemes, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

The announcement of such a diverse and accomplished jury for the Cannes Film Festival underscores the event's commitment to recognizing artistic merit from a global perspective. The inclusion of figures like Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, and Stellan Skarsgård, each with their unique contributions and perspectives on the craft of filmmaking, enriches the judging process. This blend of acting, directing, and screenwriting talent ensures a comprehensive and nuanced evaluation of the competing films, reflecting the multifaceted nature of cinema. Their collective expertise is poised to identify works that not only demonstrate technical brilliance but also resonate deeply on an emotional and intellectual level, influencing the direction of global cinema for years to come.