THE AMERICAN PAVILION PRESENTED BY INDIEWIRE ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR THE 2026 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

The American Pavilion announced today its full programming slate for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, presented this year in partnership with IndieWire. Sessions will be held live on-stage in the Roger Ebert Salon and are exclusively open to American Pavilion members. Programming runs Tuesday, May 12, through Thursday, May 21, featuring more than 20 scheduled sessions.

This year's partnership brings IndieWire's editorial vision directly to the Croisette, with most programming featured across IndieWire.com, its social channels, and industry newsletters — extending the reach of every conversation well beyond Cannes. Under the banners of Future of Filmmaking, Filmmaker's Toolkit, What No One Tells You, and a special edition of the Pavilion’s long-running In Conversation series, the IndieWire editorial team will moderate a series of dialogues about where the industry is heading, from the practical to the philosophical.

“This year’s slate of programming reflects our commitment to championing the next generation of storytellers and industry innovators. As filmmaking continues to evolve across technology, platforms, and global audiences, we are proud to create a space where emerging voices can connect, collaborate, and shape the future of cinema together,” says Lynne Howard, SVP, Future of Filmmaking/The American Pavilion.

Headliners include IndieWire's In Conversation with writer-director Jane Schoenbrun and stars Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder ahead of the MUBI release of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the opening film of Un Certain Regard. Director Ira Sachs and co-writer Mauricio Zacharias join IndieWire’s Chris O'Falt ahead of the Main Competition premiere of The Man I Love. Twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri discuss Clarissa — their bold reimagining of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway starring Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, and Ayo Edebiri, ahead of its Directors' Fortnight premiere. And director Diego Luna joins producer Valerie Delpierre for a conversation about Ashes and the creative possibilities of Mexican-Spanish co-productions.

The Future of Filmmaking series, presented by United for Business, features a keynote conversation with Tim Heidecker, a festival roundtable bringing together the directors of Sundance, Telluride, Berlin, and the New York Film Festival, and focused conversations on new models of financing and distribution.

Chris O'Falt also launches a new series, IndieWire Show Me: An AI Filmmaking Series, with an in-depth conversation with filmmaker and Asteria strategic partner Paul Trillo.

Additional programming highlights include California Day at The American Pavilion on Thursday, May 14, presented by the California Film Commission, featuring panels on production resources and the California Tax Credit Incentive Program 4.0. The American Pavilion's Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, presented by Gold House, will spotlight 20 official selection films and for the first time will hold screenings inside the Palais des Festivals.

Also not to be missed are the Member Cocktail Party, presented by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) on May 13, and the 21st Anniversary of Queer Night, always the best, biggest, and only LGBTQ+ dance party tied to the Festival, on May 18, beginning at 9:00 PM. Entry to Queer Night is always gratis to all Festival and Marche’ badge holders.