Markets

The spotlight officially turned on the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which will run from May 12 to May 23, opening with an emotional and politically charged ceremony celebrating cinema as an act of resistance, creativity, and humanity.

French actress Eye Haïdara set the tone for the evening as she stepped onto the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière with a powerful message addressed “to all of you who are trying to resist, here and elsewhere.” Balancing emotion, humour and conviction, Haïdara transformed the opening into a heartfelt tribute to filmmakers who dare to show uncomfortable truths and remind audiences of the value of every human life — “the heroic and the anonymous, the powerful and the invisible.”

Joined by acclaimed violinist Miri Ben-Ari, the Mistress of Ceremonies quoted legendary filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard: “We don’t make a film to be cautious.” Her speech quickly evolved into a passionate declaration of love for cinema and its ability to connect cultures and emotions through shared stories experienced “in the dark” before returning audiences “to the light.”

The ceremony also introduced this year’s prestigious Feature Film Jury, bringing together an eclectic mix of international creative voices. Among them were actress and producer Demi Moore, actress Ruth Negga, Belgian filmmaker Laura Wandel, Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes, actor Isaach De Bankolé, screenwriter Paul Laverty and Swedish star Stellan Skarsgård.

Heading the jury this year is celebrated South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook, internationally recognised for redefining revenge thrillers through visually striking and emotionally intense storytelling that helped elevate Korean cinema on the global stage.

One of the most warmly received moments of the evening came when actor Elijah Wood paid tribute to longtime collaborator Peter Jackson. The New Zealand director received an extended standing ovation as Wood celebrated Jackson’s ability to combine technological innovation with deeply human storytelling.
Reflecting on his history with Cannes, Jackson described his previous appearances at the festival as “unexpected and almost miraculous,” thanking the event for the honour and recognition it had brought to his career.

Music also played a key role during the ceremony, with performers Theodora and Oklou delivering a reinterpretation of Get Back by The Beatles, referencing Jackson’s acclaimed documentary project The Beatles: Get Back.

To officially declare the festival open, two iconic actresses — Gong Li and Jane Fonda — closed the ceremony with a joint call to celebrate “boldness, freedom and the fierce act of creation,” symbolically uniting East and West on the Cannes stage.