Park Chan-wook Leads Cannes Jury
Acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook has been named President of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival Jury, marking a significant moment for Korean cinema's international influence. Park, known for "Oldboy" and "The Handmaiden," will bring his distinctive vision to the world's most prestigious film competition this May.
Park Chan-wook is the first South Korean filmmaker to be named President of the Cannes Film Festival Jury in the festival's 79-year history. He is only the third person of Asian descent to hold the prestigious position, following Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai in 2006 and Japanese diplomat Tetsurō Furukaki in 1962. His appointment follows a long and successful history with the festival. Park's film "Oldboy" won the Grand Prix, the festival's second-highest honor, in 2004. He later won the Jury Prize for "Thirst" in 2009 and was awarded Best Director for "Decision to Leave" in 2022. The jury president is responsible for leading a panel of film industry figures in awarding the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or. Recent jury presidents have included directors Greta Gerwig, Ruben Östlund, and Spike Lee, as well as actors Cate Blanchett and Juliette Binoche. This selection highlights the continued global influence of South Korean cinema, which saw a surge in international recognition after Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" won the Palme d'Or in 2019 and the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020.
