Festival President Discusses Film Industry Challenges and Selections in Vanity Fair Interview

Iris Knobloch, the president of the Cannes Film Festival, has detailed the strategic direction and thematic focus of the 2026 event in an interview with Vanity Fair. Now in her fourth year as the first woman to lead the festival, Knobloch is beginning her second three-year term in the position.

The 2026 selection is characterized by a pronounced emphasis on European cinema, with a specific focus on the vitality of the French film industry. According to Knobloch, the selection includes 28 films produced in France, including five French filmmakers who are in competition.

Knobloch noted that this distribution serves as an indicator of the good health of French cinema and demonstrates the ability of the French system to produce a wide variety of films.

In contrast to the strong French presence, the number of American feature films in the selection remains relatively stable, with 11 films included compared to 12 in the previous year.

The festival continues to expand its global reach, incorporating a diverse array of international perspectives. The 2026 selection features six films from Asia, primarily from South Korea and Japan and four films from Spain, which Knobloch described as a real land of creativity.

Beyond the traditional powerhouses of cinema, the festival is highlighting emerging industries. This year’s selection includes films from Haiti, Rwanda, and Congo, reflecting Knobloch’s interest in filmmakers who are currently building their own national industries and sharing their unique visions of the world.

A defining characteristic of the 2026 edition is a strategic pivot toward historical narratives. The selection places a strong emphasis on films centered on the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

This thematic focus follows a progression of specific interests over the last few years. In 2024, the festival focused on the condition of women. The 2025 edition shifted toward the theme of dictatorship, featuring works such as It Was Just an Accident by Jafar Panahi and The Secret Agent by Kleber Mendonça Filho.

Knobloch’s leadership of the festival is informed by a long career in the film industry. Before her appointment as president, she served as an executive at Warner Bros. France and has collaborated with high-profile directors, including Clint Eastwood, Christopher Nolan, and Michel Hazanavicius.

Throughout her tenure, Knobloch has viewed the festival’s role as a promoter of talent and creativity, emphasizing that the world of cinema extends far beyond the United States and Europe.