Cannes adds 16 films

Cannes added 16 more films to its 2026 lineup on April 22, filling out sections across the festival less than three weeks before opening night. (festival-cannes.com) The 79th Festival de Cannes runs May 12 through May 23 on the Croisette, and the new announcement follows the main Official Selection reveal on April 9. (festival-cannes.com ) (festival-cannes.com) The additions include Zachary Wigon’s “Victorian Psycho,” starring Maika Monroe, in Un Certain Regard, and Diego Luna’s “Ashes” in Special Screenings. James Gray’s “Paper Tiger” was the only new Competition title. (variety.com) (thewrap.com) Cannes splits its Official Selection into sections that do different jobs: Competition is the Palme d’Or race, Un Certain Regard highlights distinct voices, and sidebars like Cannes Premiere and Special Screenings widen the field. (festival-cannes.com) This week’s expansion leaned heavily on those non-Competition slots. The Wrap reported new entries in Un Certain Regard, Cannes Premiere, Special Screenings and a newly created Family Screening section. (thewrap.com) That matters inside Cannes because selection shapes everything from premiere scheduling to sales meetings to how much press a film can attract during the festival’s 12-day run. The official site says the screening program and ticketing plans will be published in early May. (festival-cannes.com) The April 9 lineup had already set up an auteur-heavy Competition with films from directors including Asghar Farhadi, Pedro Almodóvar, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Ryusuke Hamaguchi. “Paper Tiger” joins that field late, adding one more title to the main race. (variety.com 1) (variety.com 2) The late additions also broaden the mix of filmmakers and formats. The new batch includes Judith Godrèche’s “A Girl’s Story,” Joshua and Rebecca Tickell’s documentary “Groundswell,” Leah Nelson’s animated “Tangles,” and Olivier Clert’s animated “Lucy Lost.” (thewrap.com) Cannes has long treated its Official Selection as a living lineup rather than a one-day reveal, and the festival’s April 9 press release said the list would be updated regularly. This year’s final stretch is following that pattern right up to the start of the festival. (festival-cannes.com)