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Park Chan-wook to Lead 2026 Cannes Jury, First Korean in the Role

Cannes will reveal the Official Selection in mid-April ahead of the May 12–23 festival, with Park's panel presenting the Palme d'Or on May 23.

Overview

  • Festival organizers Iris Knobloch and Thierry Frémaux announced Park’s appointment, praising his inventiveness and visual mastery in a joint statement.
  • Park’s Cannes track record includes Oldboy winning the Grand Prix (2004), Thirst the Jury Prize (2009), and Decision to Leave the Best Director award (2022).
  • Park succeeds Juliette Binoche, whose 2025 jury awarded the Palme d’Or to Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident.
  • Park noted the communal power of cinema in a statement that framed moviegoing and jury debate as expressions of solidarity in a divided era.
  • The rest of the main competition jury will be named closer to the festival, which will culminate with the Palme d’Or ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière on May 23; Park’s recent film No Other Choice premiered at Venice 2025 and was shortlisted but not nominated for the Oscars’ international category.