The Cannes Film Festival is set to kick off with a French burlesque romantic comedy, The Electric Kiss, as its opening night film, marking a departure from past blockbusters like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Mad Max: Fury Road. This year, no Hollywood or British productions are competing for the prestigious Palme d'Or. Here is a comprehensive guide to the festival's highlights.
Ti Amo!: The Return of Sean Baker
Paramount CEO David Ellison has taken steps to appease an industry upset over the proposed $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD). In a strategic move, Warner Bros has launched a new independent division called Clockwork, whose first film is Sean Baker's Ti Amo!. This marks Baker's first project since Anora won the Palme d'Or. Clockwork will be active in Cannes, seeking to acquire hit movies after WBD reported a $2.9 billion quarterly loss, largely due to a $2.8 billion penalty owed to Netflix.
Will Cannes See AI's Toy Story Moment?
Despite the unexpected closure of OpenAI's Sora, the film industry continues to grapple with AI usage. SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative deal with Hollywood producers that includes AI guardrails. Steven Soderbergh will premiere John Lennon: The Last Interview, which controversially features AI-generated sequences created with Meta. Meanwhile, AGC Studios will showcase footage from Critterz, an AI-created family animation with no announced human voice cast, prompting speculation about whether this marks AI's breakthrough in animation.
White Lotus Glamour at Cannes
With Hollywood films absent from competition, attention turns to White Lotus Season 4, which will film during the festival. Key locations include the Michelin-starred restaurant La Palme d'Or at Hotel Martinez, frequented by stars like Juliette Binoche and Leonardo DiCaprio. The restaurant offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, including ember-grilled spiny lobster and a Palme-shaped dish with green peas and black garlic. The venue also features memorabilia such as Rocky's boxing shorts.
The Devil Shuns Gucci
While Prada enjoys success with The Devil Wears Prada 2, Gucci's revenues dropped 14% in Q1 2026. Owner Kering hopes Julianne Moore will boost brand image when she receives the Kering Woman in Motion Award. Moore has been seen at the JW Marriott Cannes, known for its rooftop terrace and pool where stars like Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie have mingled. Other celebrity hotspots include Scalini Cannes, favored by Nicolas Cage, and Mr. Nakamoto restaurant. The Hotel Mondrian Cannes is another A-list destination, with its garden terrace serving as a deal-making hub.
The Carlton Cannes: Ultimate Riviera Icon
The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, remains the quintessential Riviera icon, blending Belle Époque grandeur with modern luxury after a stunning renovation. Its historic facade, panoramic sea-view rooms, and the famous Carlton Beach Club, which will host the IHG/Vanity Fair Opening Lunch, offer unmatched glamour. The hotel also boasts the best breakfast on the Cote d'Azur and an infinity pool in a serene palm garden.
Watch Out for John Travolta
John Travolta will attend for his directorial debut, the aviation-themed Propeller One-Way Night Coach. The film market appears short on original ideas, exemplified by Lionsgate's reboot of The Blair Witch Project. The festival's official poster honors Thelma and Louise, with its iconic cliff-driving finale. While the industry is not at the edge, Cannes must adapt to stay relevant to a TikTok generation. As Thelma says, it will get what it settles for.
Dr. Frank Mannion's new film, A Sip of Burgundy, will be unveiled at Cannes, and his book The Dependent Film Distributor is due in September.
