Park Chan-wook to Lead Jury at 2026 Cannes Film Festival
Renowned Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has been appointed as the jury president for the upcoming 2026 Cannes Film Festival, scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 23. He will lead the jury in selecting the main competition entries, with the remaining members of the jury set to be revealed soon. Park Chan-wook has previously participated in the main competition at Cannes with films like "Decision to Leave," "The Handmaiden," "Thirst," and "Oldboy," with "Thirst" winning the Jury Prize in 2009 and "Decision to Leave" securing the Best Director award in 2022.
The festival's president, Iris Knobloch, and director, Thierry Frémaux, praised Park Chan-wook's creativity, visual expertise, and ability to capture the complex narratives of both men and women with unique destinies, creating unforgettable moments in contemporary cinema. They expressed their excitement to honor his exceptional talent and the broader impact of Korean cinema on the global film landscape. The prestigious Palme d'Or award for 2026 will be presented by Park Chan-wook and his jury on May 23 at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, following last year's recipient, Jafar Panahi from Iran, for his film "It was Just an Accident," which is currently nominated for two Oscars.
Park Chan-wook's appointment as the jury president marks a significant milestone as the first Korean individual to hold this position, while Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite" remains Korea's only Palme d'Or winner from the 2019 festival. In 2025, Park collaborated with Neon, known for distributing the past six consecutive Palme d'Or winners, for the release of "No Other Choice," a dark comedy that premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival in 2025. Although the film was shortlisted for the 2026 Best International Feature Academy Award, it did not secure a spot among the final five nominees representing South Korea.
Stay tuned for the official lineup of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, which is set to be announced in April. Park Chan-wook's leadership as the jury president promises an exciting and diverse selection of films that will showcase the best of international cinema at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.