Cannes Film Festival 2026
By David Chelly, January 22, 2026
The Cannes Film Festival returns from May 12 to 23, 2026 in Cannes, on the Croisette, around the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. This 79th edition brings together the official selection, several parallel sections and the Film Market, with a single goal: spotting the films that will mark the year and speeding up their distribution around the world.
Dates and highlights
The heart of the Festival plays out over about ten days, punctuated by red carpet moments, gala screenings and press sessions. The Competition, the most widely covered showcase, leads to the Palme d'Or and the main awards. Around it, the official selection also unfolds through Un Certain Regard, Cannes Première, Midnight Screenings, Special Screenings and Cannes Classics, which allows the Festival to cover contemporary creation, more offbeat works and the rediscovery of restored films all at once.
Who can attend
The Festival is designed first and foremost for film industry professionals and the specialist press, with access to the Palais governed by accreditation. For film-loving members of the public, there are ways to see films in conditions close to the Festival itself, notably Cannes Cinéphiles and the 3 Days in Cannes programme, aimed at 18 to 28 year olds. Even without a badge, certain outdoor screenings and events, such as Cinéma de la Plage, contribute to the Cannes atmosphere and offer a more accessible way in.
Accreditation and tickets
Festival accreditation applications open from February 2 to April 15, 2026. To plan a stay, it is also worth watching the online ticketing system, which is announced to open on May 4, 2026, with a bookable schedule accessible from May 8, 2026. Access, checking and dress rules vary depending on the screenings and venues, particularly for prestige screenings at the Palais, so it is worth checking before showing up for a session.
The Film Market
Alongside the screenings, the Film Market runs from May 12 to 20, 2026. It is the industry's meeting place, where acquisitions, co-productions and international sales are negotiated, with a programme of professional events and screenings reserved for accredited participants. For directors, producers and distribution companies, this is often where the commercial fate of films is decided, sometimes as much as on the red carpet.
Useful pointers
If you are preparing an article or a follow-up piece, it is worth remembering that the 2025 edition was the 78th, held from May 13 to 24, 2025. For 2026, film entries for the official selection are already open, with different deadlines depending on the category, giving an early sense of the preparation timeline ahead of the announcement of the selection and the jury.