Leïla Bekhti has been officially appointed as the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury for the 79th edition of the Festival de Cannes, succeeding the British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the French actress, who has long been a staple of the prestigious festival’s red carpet and its various competitive selections. As the head of the jury, Bekhti will lead a distinguished group of international film professionals in evaluating a category renowned for its focus on innovative storytelling, aesthetic experimentation, and the discovery of emerging directorial talent. Joining her on the 2026 jury are four prominent figures from the global cinematic landscape: Senegalese producer and director Angèle Diabang, Lebanese composer Khaled Mouzanar, Italian director and screenwriter Laura Samani, and French director and screenwriter Thomas Cailley.
The Un Certain Regard section, which runs parallel to the Palme d’Or competition, is specifically designed to highlight "non-traditional" films and encourage the "other" cinema—works that often challenge conventional narrative structures or offer unique cultural perspectives. The 79th Festival de Cannes is scheduled to take place from May 12th to May 23rd, 2026, positioning the Un Certain Regard selection as one of the most anticipated highlights of the spring film season.
A Jury of Multidisciplinary Excellence
The composition of the 2026 Un Certain Regard Jury reflects a deliberate effort by the festival organizers to incorporate diverse voices and varied professional backgrounds. By selecting members who excel in acting, directing, producing, and musical composition, the festival ensures that the competing films will be judged through multiple artistic lenses.
Leïla Bekhti, the Jury President, is one of France’s most celebrated contemporary actresses. Her career trajectory has been defined by a series of daring choices that have seen her move seamlessly between high-concept dramas, thrillers, and popular comedies. Bekhti first garnered international acclaim for her role in Jacques Audiard’s "A Prophet" (2009), which won the Grand Prix at Cannes. Her subsequent win of the César Award for Most Promising Actress in 2011 for "All That Glitters" solidified her status as a powerhouse of European cinema. Over the years, she has returned to Cannes frequently, appearing in films such as "The Source" (2011) and "The Restless" (2021). Her upcoming project, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s "Changer l’eau des fleurs," is already generating significant industry buzz.
Angèle Diabang brings a wealth of experience from the African audiovisual sector. As a director and producer, Diabang has spent over two decades documenting social issues and human rights, particularly through the lens of women’s experiences in Senegal. Her production company, Karoninka, has been instrumental in elevating West African cinema. Diabang’s 2025 adaptation of Mariama Bâ’s seminal novel "So Long a Letter" broke box office records in West Africa, demonstrating the commercial and cultural viability of high-quality African literature on screen.
Representing the Italian contingent is Laura Samani, whose debut feature "Small Body" (2021) was a standout at the Cannes Critics’ Week and earned her the European Film Award for Discovery of the Year. Samani’s work is noted for its exploration of female autonomy and the subversion of traditional social norms. Her most recent film, "A Year of School," continued this trajectory, winning accolades at the Venice Film Festival in 2025.
Thomas Cailley, a graduate of the prestigious La Fémis film school, represents the vanguard of French genre-bending cinema. His film "The Animal Kingdom" (2023) opened the Un Certain Regard section to critical and commercial success, eventually winning five César Awards in 2024. Cailley’s ability to blend fantasy with grounded human drama makes him a fitting judge for a section dedicated to "new discoveries."
Finally, Khaled Mouzanar adds a vital musical and production perspective. Best known for his long-term collaboration with Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, Mouzanar’s work on "Capharnaüm" (2018) earned him international recognition, including an Oscar nomination. His recent immersive installation, "18:08 – When Gravity Was No More," serves as a poignant tribute to the victims of the Beirut Port explosion, showcasing his commitment to using art as a medium for historical memory.
The Significance of the Un Certain Regard Section
Established in 1978 by Gilles Jacob, the Un Certain Regard section was created to provide a platform for films that did not necessarily fit the "Main Competition" mold but possessed undeniable artistic merit. Over the decades, it has evolved into a kingmaker for young auteurs. Winning the Un Certain Regard Prize often serves as a catalyst for a director’s international career.
In 2025, the Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes took home the top prize for his debut feature, "The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo." The film’s success underscored the section’s reputation for identifying bold new voices in world cinema. The 2026 jury will be tasked with finding a successor to Céspedes among a field that typically includes around 20 films selected from thousands of submissions globally.
For Leïla Bekhti, the role of President is one of both humility and responsibility. In an official statement, she remarked: "Working in cinema has taught me that movies are places of encounter with others, with oneself, with the world. Discovering them alongside a jury, living this timeless experience, is both a responsibility and a joy. I look forward to the exchanged perspectives, the dialogues, and the doubts as well, which make up the richness of this living art."
Chronology and Expectations for the 79th Festival
The announcement of the Un Certain Regard Jury is a key milestone in the lead-up to the festival. The timeline for the 79th edition follows a strictly regulated schedule that keeps the global film community in a state of high anticipation:
- January – March 2026: Film submissions are reviewed by the selection committee.
- Mid-April 2026: The official selection, including the Un Certain Regard titles, is announced at a press conference in Paris.
- May 12, 2026: The 79th Festival de Cannes officially opens at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
- May 13 – 22, 2026: Screenings for Un Certain Regard take place at the Salle Debussy.
- May 22, 2026: The Un Certain Regard awards ceremony is held, typically one day before the Palme d’Or announcement.
Industry analysts suggest that the 2026 selection may see an increased presence of films from the Global South, continuing a trend of diversification that has been championed by Festival Director Thierry Frémaux. With jury members like Angèle Diabang and Khaled Mouzanar, there is a clear signal that the festival values perspectives from regions that have historically been underrepresented in mainstream European cinema.
Broader Implications for the Film Industry
The Un Certain Regard jury’s decisions have ripple effects throughout the film industry. A win in this category often leads to lucrative distribution deals in major markets like North America and Asia. Furthermore, the critical consensus built during the festival often dictates the early favorites for the subsequent awards season, including the European Film Awards and the Academy Awards.
The appointment of Leïla Bekhti as President also highlights a continuing trend of the festival elevating actors to leadership roles within juries. This move acknowledges the actor’s role not just as a performer, but as a discerning critic of the medium. Bekhti’s emphasis on "the seat of the audience" suggests that the 2026 jury may prioritize emotional resonance and human connection alongside technical and aesthetic innovation.
The presence of Thomas Cailley on the jury is also noteworthy. Having transitioned from a prize-winner in this very section to a jury member, Cailley represents the "Cannes ecosystem" where the festival nurtures talent over multiple years and projects. His current work co-writing with Michel Hazanavicius further illustrates the interconnectedness of the French film industry and its central role in the festival’s identity.
Looking Ahead to May 2026
As the 79th Festival de Cannes approaches, the eyes of the cinematic world will be on the Palais des Festivals. The Un Certain Regard section remains a vital pulse-check for the state of global auteur cinema. With a jury led by Leïla Bekhti and supported by experts in production, music, and direction, the 2026 selection is poised to be a rigorous and celebratory exploration of the moving image.
The festival remains a unique crossroads where art meets commerce and where the next generation of masters is often revealed. As the jury prepares to convene in May, the "precious seat of the audience" that Bekhti referred to will be occupied by critics, distributors, and cinephiles from every corner of the globe, all waiting to see which new discovery will capture the elusive spirit of Un Certain Regard.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival will run from May 12th until May 23rd. Representatives from major international outlets, including Cody Dericks and Nadia Dalimonte, will be attending in-person to provide live coverage of the screenings, press conferences, and the eventual crowning of the 2026 winners. This year’s festival promises not only to honor the legacy of established filmmakers but to provide a definitive platform for the voices that will shape the future of the industry.
