Who will win the Palme d’Or? Who will take home the Best Actress award? Who will have the honor of stepping onto the stage at the Palais des Festivals to receive the Jury Prize? The answer will come on Saturday, May 23, 2026, when the winners of the 79th edition are unveiled for the Festival de Cannes. Until then, it’s time for the famous opening ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
And we know a bit more about it. While actress Eye Haïdara has been named host, two singers will team up to perform a Beatles track. According to Le Parisien, Theodora and Oklou have been chosen to perform on May 12 during the opening ceremony. They will follow in the footsteps of Mylène Farmer last year, and Zaho de Sagazan, who made an impression in 2024 with a rendition of Modern Love by David Bowie.
Awarded at the Victoires de la Musique and at Flammes, Theodora - nicknamed the Boss Lady - is undeniably the female artist of the moment. The rapper, responsible for hits « melodrama », « Fashion Designa » and « Kongolese sous BBL », delivered four sold-out shows this spring at the Zenith in Paris. The artist also plans to hit the festival circuit this summer, with stops notably at We Love Green, at Beauregard, at the Festival de Nîmes, and at the Fête de l’Huma.
On her side, Oklou turned up at Coachella this spring. A writer, composer, performer and musician rolled into one, Oklou ranks among the French artists with the most streams in the United States in 2025, according to a Billboard France ranking. Slated to take the stage at the Palais des Festivals on May 12 for the opening ceremony, Oklou also serves on the jury for the Critics’ Week.
The opening ceremony will also feature Miri Ben-Ari, a Grammy Award winner. The American violinist will compose a specially written score to accompany the opening remarks by host Eye Haïdara.
Cannes Film Festival 2026: The jury members of the 79th edition
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 has unveiled the jury for its 79th edition, the marquee event in the world of cinema. Eight members will join the official panel, chaired by Park Chan-wook. And for the first time in the festival’s history, there are no French jurors. [Read more]
Cannes Film Festival 2026: The jury members of the 79th edition
