Since September 20, 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has illuminated the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, located on the famous Promenade de la Croisette. Bringing together several VIPs on the red carpet, this Festival has become over the years an unmissable event that celebrates international cinema and brings together film talents.
Each year, dozens of films are presented to a jury made up of professionals from all sectors of the film industry. At the end of the fortnight (May 16 to 27, 2023), nine prizes will be awarded during the closing ceremony, including the famous Palme d’Or.
What are the prizes awarded? What are the films in the running? Who will be the members of the Jury? Here is everything you need to know about this 76th edition in 10 questions!
1. Who will present this 76th edition?
Chiara Mastroianni – ©Reynaud Julien/APS-Medias/ABACA
The actress Chiara Mastroianni will be the mistress of the prestigious ceremonies. Daughter of Catherine Deneuve and Marcello Mastroianni, she is particularly famous for having played in Black eyes, My favorite season or Room 212, for which she won the interpretation prize at Cannes in 2019.
2. Who will chair the Professional Jury?
Ruben Östlund – ©Reynaud Julien/APS-Medias/ABACA
After receiving the Palme d’Or for The Square And Without Filter, Ruben Östlund becomes the President of the Jury for this 76th edition. “I am happy, proud and humbled to be entrusted with the honor of presiding over the Cannes Film Festival Jury this year. No other place in the world arouses such a desire for cinema when the curtain rises on a film in Competition. How lucky to be there with these fine connoisseurs who are the Cannes festival-goers”, he declared when his appointment was announced.
3. Who will be the other members of the Jury?
Julia Ducournau – ©Marechal Aurore/ABACA
Ruben Östlund will be accompanied by eight other jurors from all over the world, such as Moroccan director Maryam Touzani (The Blue of the Caftan)the French actor Denis Ménochet (to the hilt)British-Zambian screenwriter and director Rungano Nyoni (I Am Not a Witch)American actress and director Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), American actor Paul Dano (The Batman)the Afghan writer Atiq Rahimi (Syngyué sabour)Argentinian director Damián Szifron (The New Savages)as well as the French director Julia Ducournau (Titanium).
4. Who will receive the Palme d’or d’honneur?
Michael Douglas – ©Crossick Matt/Empics/ABACA
After Forest Whitaker last year, it is the turn of Michael Douglas to receive the Palme d’or d’honneur, which will salute his career and his commitment to cinema. This 76th edition will pay tribute to him during the Opening ceremony, broadcast live on Tuesday May 16th.
“It’s always a breath of fresh air to come to Cannes which, for a long time, has been a wonderful place to welcome creators, artistic audacity and beautiful stories. Since 1979, and my first time for The Chinese Syndrometo the last, the world premiere of My life with Liberace in 2013, the Festival has always reminded me that the magic of cinema lies not only in what we see on screen but also in its ability to move people around the world. After more than 50 years of career, it is an honor to return to the Croisette to open the Festival and speak our common language, that of cinema. “said the actor of Basic Instinct at the announcement of this honorary Palme d’or.
5. What are the selections that make up the Cannes Film Festival?
Screened in the Louis Lumière Auditorium, the films in competition are grouped into different selections:
- the Official Selection
- Un certain regard, which rewards young directors and independent films
- the Cinéfondation, which highlights short films made by film school students
- short films
6. What are the prizes awarded?
©Valentina Claret / FDC
Several prizes are awarded during the closing ceremony:
- Golden Palm
- the Best Actress Award
- Best Actor Award
- Jury Prize
- the staging award
- screenplay award
7. Which films are nominated for the official competition?
Here is the complete list of films nominated for the official competition:
- CLUB ZERO by Jessica Hausner
- THE ZONE OF INTEREST by Jonathan Glazer
- KUOLLEET LEHDET by Aki KAURISMAKI
- OLFA’S DAUGHTERS by Kaouther Ben Hania
- ASTEROID CITY by Wes ANDERSON
- ANATOMY OF A FALL by Justine TRIET
- KAIBUTSU by KORE-EDA Hirokazu
- IL SOL DELL’AVVENIRE by Nanni MORETTI
- LAST SUMMER by Catherine BRILLAT
- KURU OTLAR USTUNE by Nuri Bilge CEYLAN
- THE CHIMERA by Alice ROHRWACHER
- THE PASSION OF DODIN BOUFFANT by TRAN ANH Hung
- RAPITO by Marco BELLOCCHIO
- MAY DECEMBER by Todd Hayes
- QING-CHUN by Wang Bing
- THE OLD OAK by Ken Loch
- BANEL E ADAMA from Ramata-Toulaye SY
- PERFECT DAYS by Wim Wenders
- FIREBRAND by Karim Ainouz
- BLACK FLIES by Jean-Stéphane SAUVAIRE
- THE RETURN by Catherine Corsini
8. When will the winners be announced?
©Mathilde Petit-Boh / FDC
The winners will be revealed on May 27 during the Closing Ceremony, broadcast live by France Télévisions and Brut. This Closing will be followed by the screening ofElementarythe animated film by Peter Sohn.
9. Which American stars will we find on the red carpet?
©FDC
This very VIP festival will have the privilege of hosting all the Hollywood elite, such as Johnny Depp who came to present Maïwenn’s film Jeanne du Barrybut also Harrison Ford came unveiled Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny or Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese.
10. Where can we watch this event?
The opening and closing ceremonies will be broadcast live by France Télévisions (France.tv and Culture Box) in France and by Brut internationally. You can also follow them on the official website of the Cannes Film Festival and on the YouTube channel dedicated to the event.
More info here
LR