The official Cannes Film Festival is feeling a bit low on star power this year, but bold names are showing up in force at the 58th edition of Directors’ Fortnight, which unveiled its 2026 lineup on Tuesday.
With a selection of 19 features, Fortnight leans heavily on notable names, including Barry Keoghan, Riley Keough and Harry Melling, the stars of the opening night feature Butterfly jamthe English language debut of acclaimed Russian director Kantemir Balagov (Bean). This long-awaited film, which some have suggested as a potential Cannes entry, is a coming-of-age story set within the Circassian community in New Jersey.
Ayo Edebiri, David Oyelowo, and Sophie Okonedo star Clarissaa reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s literary classic set in Nigeria Mrs Dalloway Director brothers Ari Esiri and Chukwu Esiri also cut “Fortnight,” as did the star-studded AtonementA drama film about the Iraq War by American director Reed Van Dyke, starring Kenneth Branagh, Hiyam Abbas, and Boyd Holbrook.
Neon has acquired US rights to Clarissa earlier this year, and is also handling international sales. Neon also previously purchased the rights to William and David Graves’ documentary Once Upon a Time in Harlemwhich debuted at Sundance this year and will also screen at Fortnight.
Cleo Barnard (The selfish giant) returns to Cannes with her latest work, I see buildings falling like lightninga drama starring Joe Cole, Anthony Boyle, Darryl McCormack, Jay Lycurgo, and Lola Petticrew. Also in the lineup is July Jung DoraStarring Japanese actress Sakura Ando (Thieves) and K-Pop star Kim Do-yeon; and Diary of a chambermaidThe new film by Romanian director Radu Gude (Don’t expect much from Apocalypse), starring Anna Dumitrascu, Amelie Prevot, Vincent McCain, and Mélanie Thierry.
Despite the star power, Directors’ Week, under artistic director Julien Riegel and his team, retains its focus on filmmaking, with new titles from established auteurs including Alain Cavalier (Thank you for coming); Lisandro Alonso (Double freedom); And Quentin Dubio, who Le fertig The sidebar will close. Dupieux is also officially selected at the major festival this year, where his film is being screened in English Whole elephantThe film, starring Woody Harrelson and Kristen Stewart, received a midnight showing.
There are plenty of first-time features too, including 9 temples to heavenfrom Thai director Somput Chidgasornpongse, a long-time collaborator with Palme d’Or-winning director Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee who can remember his past life) who was an assistant director on Weerasethakul Memory and Cemetery of splendor. Among the newcomers this year is Norwegian director Eivind Landesvik (Low expectations), Swiss-Italian director Sarah Arnold (Lots of monsters), Japanese director Kohei Kadawaki (animated film We are aliens), and the Frenchman Maxence Voysaux, whose documentary was Gabin Make the final cut.
Acclaimed French director Claire Denis will receive a lifetime achievement award at Fortnight’s Carrosse d’Or this year. The 58th Director’s Week runs from May 13-23.
Directors’ Week 2026 lineup
Feature films
Opening night movie: Butterfly jamDirector: Kantemir Balagov
9 temples to heavenDirector: Somput Chidjasornpongse
Atonement– Director: Reed Van Dyke
ClarissaDirector: Ari Esiri and Chukwu Esiri
Death has no masterDirector: Jorge Thelen Armand
Diary of a chambermaidDirector: Radu Goud
DoraDirector: July Jung
Double freedomDirector: Lisandro Alonso
GabinDirector: Maxence Voiseaux
I see buildings falling like lightningDirector: Cleo Barnard
Low expectationsDirector: Eivind Landesvik
Once Upon a Time in Harlem– Directors: William Graves, David Graves
La PeraDirector: Domingo Sotomayor
ShanaDirector: Leila Pinel
Thank you for comingDirector: Alain Cavalier
Lots of monstersDirected by: Sarah Arnold
Viva CarmenDirector: Sebastian Lundenbach
We are aliensDirector: Kohei Kadowaki
Le fertigDirector: Quentin Dupieux
Short and medium length films
Economy without joyDirector: Marjorie Conrad
Oh boysDirected by: Antonio Donato
Early morningDirector: Sébastien Lugo
erieDirector: Yano Honami
slopeDirectors: Ouanis Vanspowen and Paul de Bleecker
Daughters of the late colonelDirected by: Elizabeth Hobbs
Nothing happens after you are goneDirected by: Ibrahim Omar
Free Eliza (Notes on Anatomical Imperfection)Director: Alexandra Matthew
In search of the green-striped birdDirected by: Saïd Himmich Benlarb
