Once again, in 2023 and 2024, a French actress will take on the role of hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the Cannes Film Festival 2026. Following Virginie Efira, Chiara Mastroianni, and Camille Cottin, Thierry Frémaux and Iris Knobloch have chosen Eye Haïdara to serve as the master of ceremonies for this 79th edition of this premier event in world cinema.
Discovered through Le Sens de la fête by Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, which earned her nominations for the Lumière Award and the Cesar for Most Promising Female Actress, Eye Haïdara’s career began on the stage before she made her way to the big screen. She made her film debut in 2007 with Regarde-moi by Audrey Estrougo, a director she later reunited with in 2016 on La Taularde alongside Sophie Marceau, after a stint working with Jean-Luc Godard in 2008. Since then, she has worked with renowned filmmakers like Michel Leclerc, Cédric Klapisch, Michel Hazanavicius, and Lisa Azuelos. In 2022, she also joined the cast of the series En thérapie on Arte.
The actress recently starred in a film by Joachim Lafosse and is currently appearing in The House of Women by Mélisa Godet. She will soon be seen in Mata by Rachel Lang and The Object of Offense by Agnès Jaoui. This is a bold move by the Cannes Film Festival organizers, who are choosing to highlight an actress who resonates more with French audiences than with international viewers.
Eye Haïdara will be hosting the jury (whose members have not yet been revealed) responsible for selecting the Palme d'Or and awarding the other distinguished honors at this 79th Cannes Film Festival. The event is scheduled to take place this year from May 12 to May 23, 2026.
In mid-April, the Official Selection will be largely unveiled during the highly anticipated and traditional press conference.
Cannes Film Festival 2026: The Latest News and Updates on the 79th Edition
The Cannes Film Festival makes its return to the Croisette for its 79th edition from May 12 to 23, 2026. Click here for the latest updates and news! [Read more]
Cannes Film Festival 2026: The Latest News and Updates on the 79th Edition
