Cannes closes May 23 festival

The 79th Festival de Cannes closed on Saturday, May 23, with jury president Park Chan-wook presiding over the final awards decision and actor Eye Haïdara hosting the ceremony, festival organizers said. The festival said the winners would be chosen from 22 films in Competition after the event ran from May 12 through May 23. The ceremony was scheduled to be broadcast live in France by France Télévisions and internationally by Brut., according to the festival. Cannes also said the winners list would be published online on Saturday. ### Who was running the closing ceremony? Park Chan-wook, the South Korean director, screenwriter and producer, chaired the nine-member jury for the 79th edition, according to Festival de Cannes. The jury was tasked with selecting the Palme d’Or and the rest of the main prizes from the 22 films in Competition, the festival said. Eye Haïdara hosted the closing ceremony, the festival said, after also presenting the opening ceremony on May 12. The closing event marked the formal end of the 12-day festival on the Croisette. ### How long did the 2026 festival run, and what was at stake? May 12 to May 23 were the official dates for the 79th edition, according to Festival de Cannes. (festival-cannes.com) The festival said 22 films were in Competition for the Palme d’Or, its top prize. Saturday, May 23, also included repeat screenings of the Competition titles before the evening ceremony, the festival said. (festival-cannes.com) Those reruns took place across venues at the Palais des Festivals, subject to availability. ### Which names stood out on the red carpet? Sharon Stone, Ruth Negga, John Travolta, Demi Moore, Jane Fonda and Monica Bellucci were among the celebrities photographed during this year’s red-carpet run, according to photo coverage from major outlets. (festival-cannes.com) Aishwarya Rai also drew attention in a blue Amit Aggarwal gown during her Cannes appearance. (festival-cannes.com) Aishwarya Rai’s look was identified by NDTV as Amit Aggarwal couture in blue. Festival organizers did not issue an official best-dressed list, but the red carpet remained one of the most visible public-facing parts of the event alongside premieres and photocalls. ### Was there a clear favorite for the Palme d’Or? (ndtv.com) The Associated Press reported on May 23 that the race for the Palme d’Or appeared wide open heading into the ceremony. AP said the lack of a clear front-runner gave Park Chan-wook’s jury a broad range of options for the top prize. Festival de Cannes did not identify a leading contender in its official materials before the ceremony. (ndtv.com) Its public guidance focused on the mechanics of the closing event, the jury and the publication of the winners list. ### Where do the results go from here? Saturday, May 23, is the date Festival de Cannes said it would post the 2026 winners on its awards page after the closing ceremony. (apnews.com) France Télévisions was listed as the live broadcaster in France, with Brut. carrying the ceremony internationally, according to the festival. (festival-cannes.com 1) (festival-cannes.com 2)