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Cannes Film Festival 2026: A Look at Every Film Set for the 79th Edition

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The 79th Cannes Film Festival runs May 12 to 23 at the Palais des Festivals. With artistic director Thierry Frémaux and president Iris Knobloch at the helm. This year’s edition was marked by a reduced Hollywood presence. Frémaux, who received over 2,541 feature film submissions from 141 countries, nearly 1,000 more than a decade ago, did not seem troubled by it. “Outside of studio cinema, independent cinema continues to exist outside Los Angeles,” he said at the April 9 press conference, held for the first time at the Pathé Palace in Paris.

South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, “The Handmaiden”) has been named jury president for this year’s Palme d’Or selection. Peter Jackson receives an honorary Palme d’Or for his body of work, a recognition that carries some irony given that no Jackson film has ever appeared in official Cannes selection.

His relationship with the festival goes back to 1988, when he brought “Bad Taste” to the Marché du Film and secured international distribution for it. In 2001 he presented 26 minutes of The Fellowship of the Ring footage at the market, helping to win over a sceptical international sales room.

Opening the festival is Pierre Salvadori’s “La Vénus électrique,” a 1920s-set romantic comedy, with Eye Haïdara serving as host of the ceremony.

Competition

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The main competition carries 21 films:

  • Minotaur by Andreï Zviagintsev
  • Fatherland by Paweł Pawlikowski (previous Palme d’Or winner for Cold War)
  • Moulin by László Nemes (director of Son of Saul)
  • Sheep in the Box by Hirokazu Kore-eda
  • Suddenly by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
  • Hope by Na Hong-jin (director of The Wailing)
  • Autofiction by Pedro Almodóvar
  • Coward by Lukas Dhont
  • Parallel Stories by Asghar Farhadi
  • Fjord by Cristian Mungiu
  • Tales of the Night by Léa Mysius
  • Gentle Monster by Marie Kreutzer
  • The Dream Adventure by Valeska Grisebach
  • Garance by Jeanne Herry
  • The Man I Love by Ira Sachs
  • A Few Days in Nagi by Kōji Fukada
  • El ser querido by Rodrigo Sorogoyen
  • Our Salvation by Emmanuel Marre
  • L’Inconnu by Arthur Harari
  • The Life of a Woman by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet
  • The Black Ball by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo

Un Certain Regard

Jane Schoenbrun opens the sidebar with “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.” The remaining 15 films in the section are:

  • The Meltdown by Manuela Martelli
  • La Más Dulce by Laïla Marrakchi
  • Congo Boy by Rafiki Fariala
  • Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep” by Rakan Mayasi
  • Of All Nights the Lovers” by Sode Yukiko
  • Everytime by Sandra Wollner
  • A Few Words of Love by Rudi Rosenberg
  • I’ll Be Gone in June by Katharina Rivilis
  • Ton animal maternel by Valentina Morel
  • Club Kid by Jordan Firstman
  • Ula by Viesturs Kairiss
  • Ben’imana by Marie Clémentine Dusabejambo
  • Le Corset by Louis Clichy
  • Elephants in the Mist” by Abinash Bikram Shah

Cannes Première

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  • Night Flight to Los Angeles by John Travolta (directorial debut)
  • Heimsuchung by Volker Schlöndorff
  • Arioka Castle by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
  • The Third Night by Daniel Auteuil
  • El Partido by Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco
  • Cantona by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas (documentary)

Midnight Screenings

  • Full Phil by Quentin Dupieux
  • Colony by Sang-Ho Yeon Roma Elastica by Bertrand Mandico
  • Sanguine by Marion Le Corroller
  • Jim Queen by Marco Nguyen and Nicolas Athane

65th Critics’ Week

The section opens with Phuong Mai Nguyen’s “In Waves” and closes with Félix de Givry’s “Adieu monde cruel.” Six of the eleven films are debut features:

  • In Waves by Phuong Mai Nguyen (opening film)
  • A Girl Unknown by Zou Jing (debut)
  • The Station by Sara Ishaq (debut)
  • Seis meses en el edificio rosa con azul by Bruno Santamaría Razo
  • La Gradiva by Marine Atlan (d
  • Tin Castle by Alexander Murphy
  • Viva by Aina Clotet (debut)
  • Dua by Blerta Basholli
  • La Frappe by Julien Gaspar-Oliveri (special screening)
  • Du Fioul dans les artères by Pierre Le Gall (special screening, debut)
  • Adieu monde cruel by Félix de Givry (closing film, debut)

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Bryson Tiller, Central Cee & More to Headline BREDx Abu Dhabi 2026

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Photo: Instagram

Bryson Tiller and Central Cee will take the stage at BREDx Abu Dhabi 2026 this November. The two-day event on Yas Island will also feature fashion, art, basketball and other elements of street culture.

The festival will take place on November 13 and 14 at Etihad Live, formerly known as Etihad Park. Presented by BRED Abu Dhabi, BREDx introduces a new format for the cultural event, bringing together international artists, regional performers, creative brands and food experiences.

Photo: Getty images

The headline concert is scheduled for November 14, with Tiller and Central Cee leading the musical lineup alongside Egyptian pop artist Nasser. The opening day, November 13, will feature Syrian rapper Bu Kolthoum, Jordanian-Palestinian artist Zaid Khaled and international DJs, alongside a photography exhibition, book launch and opening party.

Tiller will bring his music to Abu Dhabi following the release of new tracks, including ‘IT’S OK’ and ‘Drop The Lo’ in 2026. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Tiller made a name for himself with his 2015 debut album, T R A P S O U L, combining R&B melodies with trap-inspired production. Songs including “Don’t” and “Exchange” became defining releases from the project, followed by albums such as True to Self and Anniversary.

Central Cee, meanwhile, has become one of the most recognisable names in British rap. The London-born artist gained wider attention through tracks such as “Loading,” “Doja” and “LET GO,” before releasing his debut studio album, CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS, in 2025. His appearance at BREDx adds a major UK rap presence to the festival’s international lineup.

Beyond the performances, BREDx will bring together streetwear, independent labels, food concepts, art and sporting activities. The programme includes the Red Bull Half Court 3-on-3 basketball finals, brand collaborations, exclusive retail collections and food pop-ups featuring regional culinary businesses.

BRED Abu Dhabi was initially scheduled for April 2026 before organisers moved the event to November. The November dates introduce a two-day experience while the wider BRED Abu Dhabi festival is expected to return in April 2027.

Photo: Backgrid

Friday tickets are priced at AED 195, while Saturday general admission costs AED 295 and gives fans access to performances by Bryson Tiller and Central Cee. Those looking for a spot closer to the stage can opt for Golden Circle tickets at AED 595. Extra fees may apply at checkout.

With performances spanning R&B, British rap and regional music, BREDx Abu Dhabi is set to bring together artists and audiences around the sounds, fashion and creative communities shaping contemporary street culture.

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Katy Perry to Headline Atlantis, The Palm’s New Year Gala

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Photo: Getty images

Katy Perry is set to return to the UAE this December, where she will headline the New Year’s Eve gala at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai on December 31.

The December 31 show follows Perry’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix performance last year. Her last performance in the UAE in December 2025, where she closed the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Etihad Park, marking the final date of her Lifetimes Tour.

Photo: Getty images

Her New Year’s Eve appearance will headline the annual celebration at the Palm Jumeirah resort, with dinner, stage performances and views of Dubai’s skyline. The evening will conclude with fireworks stretching from Atlantis, The Palm towards Atlantis The Royal.

Perry has a long history of performing in the UAE. She previously headlined the Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner at Atlantis in 2015 and spent New Year’s Eve on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in 2017, where she welcomed 2018 with a performance of “Firework”. She also performed at the closing ceremony of the World Parachuting Championships in Dubai in 2012.

Her 2025 Abu Dhabi set included songs from 143, including “Teenage Dream”, “Roar”, “Dark Horse” and “Firework”. The Abu Dhabi show was the final stop on her Lifetimes Tour, which supported her 2024 album, 143.

The black-tie New Year’s Eve celebration begins at 6pm. Ticket prices start at Dh8,500 for guests aged 14 and above, while children aged four to 13 can attend from Dh6,500. Children under three enter free.

Photo: Getty images

Rouge Circle tickets start at Dh10,500 for adults and Dh7,500 for children. Golden Circle packages begin at Dh14,500 and include private seating near the stage, a caviar box with personalised truffle service and unlimited premium drinks.

Atlantis is also offering VIP Sky Suites with private butler service. The Aurora Suite starts at Dh250,000 for up to 10 guests, while the Celestial Suite is priced from Dh400,000 for the same number of guests.

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Alex Warren, Zara Larsson and Others Set to Headline Abu Dhabi F1 Concerts

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Photo: Jack Dytrych

Fh Alex Warren will perform at Etihad live on Friday, December 4, as part of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He joins Lewis Capaldi, Zara Larsson, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script on the four-night concert programme. The concerts will run alongside the Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit from December 3 to 6.

Photo: Getty images

Why Alex Warren Matters

Warren arrives in Abu Dhabi following the success of his hit single “Ordinary”, which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and 13 weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart in 2025. The song also helped push his debut album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid, into the US Top 5.

The album went on to earn platinum certification, while Warren accumulated billions of streams and completed a sold-out world tour. He also received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

His Friday set brings a contemporary pop presence to a programme that moves between pop, rock, electronic music and ballads.

The Yasalam Line-Up

Photo: Getty images 

The concert series begins on Thursday, December 3, with Lewis Capaldi and Zara Larsson. Capaldi returns after performing at last year’s Grand Prix, while Larsson will perform on the opening night.

Warren is scheduled for Friday, December 4, alongside a second artist yet to be announced. Imagine Dragons will perform on Saturday, December 5, before The Chainsmokers and The Script close the series on Sunday, December 6.

More Music Around the Grand Prix

The Yasalam programme extends beyond the After-Race Concerts. Andrea Bocelli will perform at Etihad Arena on December 2 as part of his Romanza anniversary tour.

On December 4, Anyma will headline the official Yasalam After-Party at Yas Gateway Park, adding an electronic music event to the race-week schedule.

Tickets and Access

Photo: Eric Ray Davidson

Access to the Yasalam After-Race Concerts is included with Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets. Fans who want to be closer to the stage can purchase Golden Circle upgrades for the Friday concert.

Friday’s Golden Circle upgrades will go on sale at noon on September 30 through the official Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Ticketmaster websites.

Four-day Grand Prix ticket holders can also visit a selection of Abu Dhabi attractions during race week at no additional cost, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

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