This edition of “Cannes Classics” will be dedicated to the memory of Dean Tavoularis, production designer. Bruce Dern, Laura Dern, Guillermo del Toro, Artavazd Pelechian, Dario Argento, Jerzy Skolimowski, and two contemporary films, including one exploring Michèle Firk’s life, will be among the guests of Cannes Classics for 2026.
Nearly twenty years ago, at a time when contemporary cinema’s relationship with its own memory was about to be transformed by the emerging rise of digital technology, the Festival de Cannes created Cannes Classics, a section dedicated to showcasing the preservation work carried out by production companies, rights holders, film archives, cinematheques, and national archives around the world.
Now an essential part of the Official Selection, Cannes Classics presents restored prints of classic films as well as documentaries related to their history. Restoration work is thriving across all continents; one is struck by the rediscovered vitality in the present-day shadows, blacks and whites, and colors of what once was early cinema.
Inspiring numerous initiatives worldwide, Cannes Classics continues its journey through film history, presenting recognized masterpieces as well as precious rarities that return to the big screen. This vibrant program, mixing fiction and documentary screenings, will be shown in the Buñuel Theater, the Agnès Varda Theater, and at the Cinéma de la Plage.
Because Cannes also aims to enchant today’s audiences in their relationship with film memory, Cannes Classics places the prestige of the world’s greatest festival at the service of rediscovered cinema, supporting all forms of new release for major works of the past: theatrical releases, streaming and VOD distribution, and DVD and Blu-ray editions.
The 2026 Cannes Classics selection is once again composed of celebrations, restored prints, and documentaries. It will present 21 feature films, 3 short films, and 6 documentaries. It will also include two contemporary works.
This journey through film history will be shared with those who preserve and restore heritage, those who distribute and screen films, film archivists and laboratories, festivals around the world, public institutions, the 2026 festival audience, accredited Cannes Cinéphiles, schools and universities, as well as the young audiences of “3 Days in Cannes.” Welcome!
Two New Films
Cannes Classics is glad to welcome in its selection two recent films: a fiction with Bérenger Thouin’s “The Golden Age” and a documentary with Jean-Gabriel Périot’s “A Life, A Manifesto.” Two women with extraordinary fates, Jeanne Lavaur and Michèle Firk, and two unique gazes on the 20th century.
“The Golden Age”
Béranger Thouin
2026, 1h53, France and Italy
A GoGoGo Films and Graffiti Films production, in association with Les Films de La Chapelle and Lesterfilm.
The extraordinary life of Jeanne Lavaur belongs to nobody but herself. She navigates through the 20th century and defies her fate, from her childhood in her parents’ butcher’s shop to her dream of becoming a countess. From one war to another, from Paris in the Roaring Twenties to Brazil, her path crosses history and embraces the world, torn between her two lovers, the count Guillaume de Barante and the audacious Italian revolutionary Céleste.
In his first feature film, shot in 2025, French director Béranger Thouin paints the portrait of a strong and independent woman throughout the century. The film is elevated by its three main actors, Souheila Yacoub, Vassili Schneider, and Yile Yara Vianello, and a very original use of archive footage which, blended with the story, reinvents the historical film.
Screening in the presence of actors Souheila Yacoub, Vassili Schneider, Yile Yara Vianello and Pierre-Antoine Billon, director Béranger Thouin, producers Carine Ruszniewski and Enrica Capra, DoP Martin Roux, chief editor and co-author Rémi Langlade and composer Céleste Thouin.
“A Life, A Manifesto”
Jean-Gabriel Périot
2026, 1h26, France
An Envie de Tempête and Les Films de Pierre production, coproduced by ARTE France and INA. French distribution by Potemkine Films.
Documentary feature film about Michèle Firk, film critic, aspiring director, and revolutionary activist, who never stopped defending justice and freedom. “A Life, A Manifesto” retraces the extraordinary fate of a woman entirely emancipated from the rules of time, a free lover, enamored with cinema and revolution. Screening in the presence of the film crew.
Three Short Films in Special Screening
An exclusive program of three recent short films will be presented in the presence of the directors, actors, and producers, including Jia Zhang-Ke and Zhao Tao, Dustin Yellin and Darren Aronofsky, Amirhossein Shojaei and Saeed Roustaee.
“Goodnight Lamby”
Dustin Yellin
2026, 15 min, United States
Starring Paul Rudd and Zia Copernicus Yellin.
From the world of visual artist Dustin Yellin, “Goodnight Lamby” unfolds within a dreamscape where memory and imagination collide. When three-year-old Zia wakes to find her beloved stuffed Lamby missing, she ventures into her father’s surreal, layered sculpture, a vast world alive with danger and discovery. Traversing shifting environments that span oceans, caves, and outer space, she navigates a series of encounters that test her courage and resolve. What begins as a simple mission becomes a deeper journey through wonder, attachment, and self-knowledge in the quest for Zia’s treasured companion. A Primordial Soup production. Screening in the presence of director Dustin Yellin and producer Darren Aronofsky.
“Torino Shadow”
Jia Zhang-Ke
2026, 32 min, Italy and China
A Museo Nazionale del Cinema Torino and Jia Zhang-Ke Art Center production. “Torino Shadow” was developed as part of the Torino Encounters initiative.
A woman travels from southern China to Turin, Italy, to see her husband. But an unexpected departure leaves her to find herself again, and to find cinema. Screening in the presence of director Jia Zhang-Ke and lead actress Zhao Tao.
“Playground (Zamine Bazi)”
Amirhossein Shojaei
2025, 15 min, Iran and France
An IRIS Film and Saeed Roustaee production.
A father abandons his young daughter at a playground. Immediately full of remorse, he comes back and finds a child that looks exactly like his daughter but does not recognize him. Screening in the presence of director Amirhossein Shojaei and producer Saeed Roustaee.
Film Documentaries
The section also features five documentaries on cinema and its history, highlighting major figures such as Bruce Dern, David Lean, Vittorio De Sica, and Chris Marker, as well as a comprehensive work by Mark Cousins on the history of documentary filmmaking, with a focus on the 1970s. These films will compete for the L’Œil d’Or award presented at the Festival de Cannes.
“The Story of Documentary Film (The 70s)”
Mark Cousins
2026, 1h58, United Kingdom
A Hopscotch Films production. Sales by Dogwoof.
From Mark Cousins, creator of the groundbreaking “The Story of Film: A New Generation” and “Women Make Film,” comes the definitive history of documentary. Tracing the evolution of documentary film across time, encompassing landmark works and hidden treasures, the film reveals how the form has helped us see and make sense of our world. Screening in the presence of director Mark Cousins.
“Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern”
Mike Mendez
2026, 1h51, United States
A Stolen Lamp Pictures, Skylight Cinema, AFG Productions, and Lumiere Lab production.
“DERNSIE” is an intimate portrait of Bruce Dern, tireless, uncompromising, and one of the last living legends of his generation, whose endurance has shaped both a turbulent life and one of Hollywood’s most enduring careers. A relentless runner on and off screen, Dern has outlasted the very industry that defined him.
Drawn from over fifty hours of conversations filmed across four years, and enriched by never-before-seen photographs and deeply personal video letters from those closest to him, the film traces a life lived at full speed through reinvention, loss, and artistic survival. It is both a reflection on a vanishing Hollywood and a testament to the artists who continue to carry its spirit forward.
At its heart lies Dern’s complex, lifelong bond with his daughter, Laura Dern, a moving passage of memory, craft, and identity from one generation to the next.
Featuring candid interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Alexander Payne, Billy Bob Thornton, Walton Goggins, Walter Hill, Fred Specktor, Patty Jenkins, Will Forte, Joe Dante, and Laura Dern. Screening in the presence of director Mike Mendez, actor Bruce Dern, and actress Laura Dern.
“Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean”
Barnaby Thompson
2026, 1h51, United States and 1h44, United Kingdom
A Fragile Films, Embankment Films, and Assemble Media production for Sky Arts.
David Lean was one of the greatest film directors of all time. He redefined what movies could be, but his singular vision and determination to film the impossible earned him the reputation of being an obsessive maverick. He was a master of his art, able to create love and beauty on screen, but whose own life was often messy, rootless, and painful.
An in-depth study of the man and his films. Narrated by Cate Blanchett, with Kenneth Branagh as the voice of Lean, and featuring interviews with Wes Anderson, Paul Greengrass, Alfonso Cuarón, Celine Song, Brady Corbet, Francis Ford Coppola, Denis Villeneuve, Nia DaCosta, and Joe Wright. Screening in the presence of director Barnaby Thompson and actress and producer Cate Blanchett.
“Vittorio De Sica: Staging Life”
Francesco Zippel
2026, 1h40, Italy
A Quoiat Films production, in association with Luce Cinecittà, Movimenti Production, and Sky.
A documentary feature film about Vittorio De Sica, one of the greatest masters of world cinema. Through new access to his family, rare archives, and testimonies of contemporary artists and filmmakers from around the world, the film retraces his life, his work, and legacy. An intimate portrait of an author able to transform the observation of reality into universal emotion, revealing the modernity of a gaze that continues to illuminate cinema. Screening in the presence of director and producer Francesco Zippel, producer Federica Paniccia, creative producer and grandson Andrea De Sica, and grandson Brando De Sica.
“My Coluche”
Michel Denisot, Camille Bruere, and Julie Lazare
1h35, France
A Bangumi production.
It is the story of two men, a comedian and a journalist, who become friends and share a life of antics and reflection. It is also the story of one man, Coluche, seen through the eyes of his friend Michel Denisot.
For more than twenty years, Coluche shaped the French television and comedy landscape. He made audiences laugh, cry, and engage more deeply with the world. Screening in the presence of directors Michel Denisot, Camille Bruere, and Julie Lazare.
“Nostalgia for the Future”
Brecht Debackere
2026, 1h15, Belgium
A Visualantics, Seriousfilm, Cobra Films, and Ghirigori production.
Guided by the narration of Charlotte Rampling, “Nostalgia for the Future” is a descent into the labyrinthine world of Chris Marker, the “best-known author of unknown films” who spent a lifetime concealing himself behind pseudonyms and images of cats. Moving through personal documents and film fragments, an archivist attempts to decode the man through the traces he left behind.
The film repurposes Marker’s body of work, treating his images as time machines and transforming the archive into a living landscape. It is a challenging inquiry into memory, identity, and how the past shapes the future. Screening in the presence of director Brecht Debackere.
Restored Prints
After “The Mother and the Whore,” “L’Amour fou,” “Napoléon” by Abel Gance, and “The Gold Rush,” “Pan’s Labyrinth” will be presented as a pre-opening screening of the Festival de Cannes on Tuesday, May 12 at 2:30 PM in the Debussy Theater, in the presence of Guillermo del Toro.
“Pan’s Labyrinth”
Guillermo del Toro
2006, 1h58, Mexico
A Cineverse and Necropia presentation.
Writer-director Guillermo del Toro’s beloved fantasy feature “Pan’s Labyrinth” returns to the Cannes International Film Festival twenty years after its historic 22-minute standing ovation, the longest in the festival’s history. Now, for the first time, the film arrives in 4K, meticulously restored from its original 35mm negative, for which Guillermo Navarro received the Best Cinematography Award at the 2007 Oscars. In addition to Academy Awards for Art Direction and Makeup Effects, the film garnered over 100 awards worldwide.
Every detail of the restoration was personally overseen by del Toro. Guillermo del Toro will be in attendance for this special screening, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the film’s world premiere.
“Pelechian Project (Land of the People, The Beginning, We, The Inhabitants, Seasons)”
Artavazd Pelechian
1966 to 1975, 1h30, Armenia, Belarus, Russia
A presentation of Coproduction Office restored in partnership with Cineteca di Bologna under Artavazd Pelechian’s supervision.
4K scanning took place at the Public Television Company of Armenia, except for “The Inhabitants,” which was scanned in 2K at Belarusfilm in Minsk. Restoration and color grading were carried out by L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory. Screening in the presence of director Artavazd Pelechian.
“Sierra de Teruel (Espoir)”
André Malraux
1938, 1h30, France
A presentation by the CNC, Library of Congress, Cinémathèque française, Grands films classiques, and André Malraux’s estate.
4K digitization of nitrate elements was made by the CNC and the Library of Congress. Restoration and color grading were conducted by the CNC laboratory, with audio restoration and subtitles carried out by Transperfect Media. Screening in the presence of Olivier Henrard and members of André Malraux’s family.
“Moonlighting”
Jerzy Skolimowski
1982, 1h37, United Kingdom
Restoration in 4K presented by mk2 Films and Goldcrest Films International. The restoration was supervised by cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts. Screening in the presence of director Jerzy Skolimowski and producer Ewa Piaskowska.
“Metti una sera a cena (Love Circle)”
Giuseppe Patroni Griffi
1968, 2h05, Italy
Restored in 4K using the original image and sound negatives. Screening in the presence of screenwriter Dario Argento.
“Amma Ariyan (Report to Mother)”
John Abraham
1986, 1h66, India
Presented and restored by Film Heritage Foundation at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory.
The restoration was completed using one of the only two surviving prints. Screening in the presence of Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Joy Mathew, Venu ISC, and Bina Paul.
“Farewell My Concubine”
Chen Kaige
1993, 2h51, Hong Kong
4K restoration. Screening in the presence of actress Gong Li.
“Man of Iron”
Andrzej Wajda
1981, 2h33, Poland
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and restored in 4K from the original camera negative.
The restoration preserves the film’s historical and artistic integrity using advanced digital processes. Screening in the presence of Krystyna Janda, Allan Starski, and Wiesława Starska.
“Eva (Eve)”
Maria Plyta
1953, 1h30, Greece
Presented by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project.
Restored in 4K by The Film Foundation and Cineteca di Bologna. Presented in the presence of Margaret Bodde and Betty-Despoina Kaklamanidou.
“The Devils”
Ken Russell
1971, 1h54, United Kingdom and United States
This new 4K restoration was assembled from the original camera negative, with sound remastered from original film elements. Screening in the presence of Mark Kermode and Elisabeth Russell.
“The House of Angel”
Leopoldo Torre Nilsson
1957, 1h16, Argentina
Restored in 4K from original materials preserved in the Argentina Sono Film Archive. Screening in the presence of Luis Alberto Scalella.
“Two Women”
Vittorio De Sica
1960, 1h41, France and Italy
4K restoration based on original image and audio negatives. Screening in the presence of Pierre Olivier and Guido Lombardo.
“The Drift”
Paula Delsol
1964, 1h23, France
Restored in 4K by the Cinémathèque française. Presented in the presence of Élisa Fantozzi and Aurore Renaut.
“Pastoral Symphony”
Jean Delannoy
1946, 1h37, France
Restored in 4K using the original nitrate negative. Screening in the presence of Céline Defremery.
“The Innocent”
Luchino Visconti
1976, 2h10, Italy
Restored in 4K by Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna. Screening in the presence of Gian Luca Farinelli.
“The Dull-Ice Flower”
Yang Li-Kuo
1989, 1h40, Taiwan
Restored in 2K from original film elements. Screening in the presence of Mark Lee Ping-Bing and Arthur Chu.
“Machine Gun Kelly”
Roger Corman
1958, 1h24, United States
Restored from original 35mm materials. Screening in the presence of producer Julie Corman.
“Seagulls Die in the Harbour”
Roland Verhavert, Rik Kuypers, Ivo Michiels
1955, 1h27, Belgium
Restored in 4K from original negatives. Screening in the presence of Matthias Schoenaerts and Tomas Leyers.
“Sugata Sanshiro”
Akira Kurosawa
1943, 1h31, Japan
Digitally restored in 4K and includes a restored 12-minute sequence. Screening in the presence of Shion Komatsu and Thierry Frémaux.
“Tilaï”
Idrissa Ouedraogo
1990, 1h21, Burkina Faso, Switzerland, France
Restored in 4K from the original negative. Screening in the presence of Nora Ouedraogo and Silvia Voser.
“The Stranger”
Orson Welles
1945, 1h35, United States
4K restoration led by Cinémathèque française and the Library of Congress. Screening in the presence of Frédéric Bonnaud.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival will run from May 12th until May 23rd. Cody Dericks, Nadia Dalimonte and I will be attending in-person this year from Next Best Picture.
Are you excited for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival? Are you planning to attend the festival this year? What do you think of this announcement? Please let us know in the comments section below or on our X account.
