The 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a big one for India, with stars, filmmakers, and regional cinema talents set to make their presence felt at the prestigious global event in France. The festival will take place from May 12 to May 23.
Punjabi cinema is expected to enjoy a special moment this year as actor-singer Ammy Virk gears up for his Cannes debut with his film Chardikala.
He will be accompanied by co-star Roopi Gill, marking an important international appearance for the Punjabi film industry.
Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker will also attend the festival as part of India’s official delegation. He is expected to represent the country in his capacity as the director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Marathi cinema, too, will have a visible presence at Cannes this year. Veteran actors Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf are expected to attend alongside actress Prajakta Mali and producer Kedar Joshi. According to a release, the group plans to showcase Marathi culture by appearing in traditional attire on the global stage.
Gujarati cinema will also be represented by actor-producer Mansi Parekh, who is expected to attend with singer-producer Parthiv Gohil. Their participation reflects the growing ambition of Gujarati cinema to reach international audiences.
From the Malayalam film industry, filmmaker Chidambaram will present his film Balan: The Boy at the Cannes market, continuing the recent wave of global attention received by Malayalam cinema.
Bollywood celebrities are also expected to add star power to the festival. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will return to Cannes as a global ambassador for L’Oréal, while Alia Bhatt is also expected to attend. Filmmaker Karan Johar, along with actresses Tara Sutaria, Mouni Roy, and Pooja Batra, will also be seen at the prestigious event.
Cannes 2026: Date, Time And Venue
The festival will be hosted at the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, situated on the famous Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes. The venue hosts the festival’s major red carpet premieres, press conferences, and official screenings every year.
Timings
There is no single fixed schedule for the festival, as screenings and events continue throughout the day and late into the night.
Festival zone access is generally open from 9:00 AM to 12:30 AM
Early screenings can begin as early as 8:15 AM
Major evening red carpet premieres are usually held between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM local time
Key Details
Opening Ceremony: May 12, 2026
Closing Ceremony and Palme d’Or announcement: May 23, 2026
Marché du Film (Film Market): May 12–20, 2026
