Eye Haïdara Opens 79th Cannes Film Festival with Political Speech
The 79th Festival de Cannes opened on May 12, 2026, with a ceremony that framed cinema as an 'act of resistance.' French actress Eye Haïdara, serving as master of ceremonies, delivered a politically charged opening speech. The jury, presided over by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, will judge 22 films competing for the Palme d'Or.
Key facts
- 79th Festival de Cannes opened on May 12, 2026
- Eye Haïdara was master of ceremonies
- Haïdara's speech gave a political dimension to the opening
- Cinema was celebrated as an 'act of resistance'
- Jury president is Park Chan-wook
- 22 films are in competition for the Palme d'Or
- The festival takes place on the Croisette in Cannes
Entities
Artists
- Eye Haïdara
- Park Chan-wook
Institutions
- Festival de Cannes
Locations
- Cannes
- France