When her grandmother died, Shana inherited a ring that was supposed to protect her from bad luck. Wow, did she need it! After all, Shanna doesn’t have to get through the trials and tribulations of everyday life solely with the support of her group of friends. Her toxic partner was also released from prison. Thus all kinds of misfortunes accumulate.
This is the setup for Shanaa French comedy-drama directed by Leila Pinel, has its world premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des cinéastes) program during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The director’s second film and first as a solo director is the short film adaptation Le Roy DavidWhich I wrote and directed.
Produced by Ecce Films and CG Cinema, international sales are handled by Les Films du Losange.
Starring Eva Howlett, who was also the lead in the film Le Roy Davidand Noemi Lvovsky, the film takes viewers through the environment surrounding the hero. “Her character moves, like a ring, from one story, world or situation to another,” Bennell highlights in a director’s statement. “In that respect, she’s a wonderful narrative engine. Shana animates everything around her and keeps those worlds from closing in on themselves. She gets her foot in the door, knocking down walls. She’s a principle of movement in and of herself.”
Regarding Shana, she says: “There is a desire within her to break free, but she can’t really put her finger on it. It leads her into confrontational situations and conflicts that don’t seem to solve anything.”
trailer for Shanaany THR Now exclusively debuting, we meet the heroine, her friends, and a lot of her headaches. It also shows her energy and candor, including in the cemetery.
Watch the trailer for Shana here.
