Cannes Adds 16 Films

Cannes filled out its 2026 lineup on April 22, adding 16 films less than three weeks before the festival opens on May 12. (festival-cannes.com) The only new Competition title is James Gray’s “Paper Tiger,” which joins the Palme d’Or race after missing the festival’s first April 9 announcement. Cannes said the 79th edition runs from May 12 to May 23. (festival-cannes.com 1) (festival-cannes.com 2) Variety reported Neon bought North American rights to “Paper Tiger,” a crime thriller starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller. The trade said the film will world premiere in competition. (variety.com) Most of the additions landed outside Competition. Un Certain Regard added four titles, including Zachary Wigon’s “Victorian Psycho,” Judith Godrèche’s “A Girl’s Story,” and Laetitia Masson’s “Ulysse” as the section’s closing film. (festival-cannes.com) (indiewire.com) Cannes Première picked up five more films, including Maria Martinez Bayona’s debut “The End of It,” Gessica Généus’ “Mary Magdalene,” Tiago Guedes’ “Aquí,” Christophe Honoré’s “Mariage au Goût d’Orange,” and Géraldine Nakache’s “Si Tu Penses Bien.” Special Screenings added five more, among them Diego Luna’s “Ashes” and the Joshua and Rebecca Tickell documentary “Groundswell.” (festival-cannes.com) The late additions follow Cannes’ usual two-step rollout. Festival chief Thierry Frémaux and president Iris Knobloch unveiled the first Official Selection on April 9, then left room for final deals and late-breaking completions. (festival-cannes.com 1) (festival-cannes.com 2) Gray’s arrival also changes the shape of the main competition. TheWrap reported “Paper Tiger” makes him one of two American filmmakers in the 22-film Competition lineup, alongside Ira Sachs. (thewrap.com) The new slate also broadens the festival’s sidebars with first features and animation. Cannes listed first films by Konstantina Kotzamani, Maria Martinez Bayona, Rostislav Kirpičenko, Leah Nelson, Hélène Rosselet-Ruiz, and Olivier Clert, whose animated “Lucy Lost” sits in the Family Screening section. (festival-cannes.com) With the lineup now closer to final, the next shift is from announcements to premieres on the Croisette. Cannes has less than three weeks to turn this paper schedule into a 12-day market and awards race. (festival-cannes.com)