Critics Week opens with animation

Cannes Critics’ Week will open its 65th edition with an animated film for the first time: Phuong Mai Nguyen’s debut feature “In Waves.” (screendaily.com) The Cannes sidebar runs May 13 to May 21 and focuses on first and second features. This year’s selection includes 11 features, with seven in competition and four special screenings. (screendaily.com) “In Waves” adapts AJ Dungo’s 2019 graphic novel and follows a California love story between a skateboarder and a surfer shaped by illness. Critics’ Week plans to screen both an English-language version led by Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu and a French-language version with Lyna Khoudri, Rio Vega, Paul Kirscher and Biran Ba. (hollywoodreporter.com) The opening choice puts animation at the front of a section that has traditionally been a launchpad for new directors rather than a home for animated features. Critics’ Week artistic director Ava Cahen said the 2026 lineup was picked from a record 1,050 films submitted from 106 countries. (screendaily.com) The 2026 slate also arrives without a single United States filmmaker in competition or special screenings. TheWrap reported that none of the seven competition films or four special screenings come from U.S. directors, even as nearly 20 countries are represented. (thewrap.com) France still has a strong footprint in the lineup, but the competition stretches across China, Kosovo, Yemen, Mexico, Spain and Ireland. Screen Daily reported that filmmakers from Kosovo and Yemen are represented in Critics’ Week competition for the first time this year. (screendaily.com) Among the competition titles are Zou Jing’s “A Girl Unknown,” Sara Ishaq’s “The Station,” Blerta Basholli’s “Dua,” Bruno Santamaria Razo’s “Seis meses en el edificio rosa con azul,” Marine Atlan’s “La Gradiva,” Alexander Murphy’s “Tin Castle” and Aina Clotet’s “Viva.” Five of the seven competition films are directed by women, according to Screen Daily. (screendaily.com) The section will close with another debut, Félix de Givry’s “Adieu monde cruel,” and all four special screenings are first features as well. Nine of the 11 selected films are first features eligible for the Caméra d’Or, Cannes’ prize for a best first film across the festival. (screendaily.com) Critics’ Week is Cannes’ oldest independent sidebar, and TheWrap noted that past editions introduced directors including Guillermo del Toro, Jacques Audiard, Ken Loach and Alejandro González Iñárritu to Cannes. This year, it opens by betting that an animated debut can do the same. (thewrap.com)