CANNES, FRANCE — The Festival de Cannes has officially announced that acclaimed French actress Leïla Bekhti will serve as the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury for its 79th edition [1]. Bekhti succeeds British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, who held the position the previous year [1]. The Un Certain Regard section is renowned for its dedication to celebrating young, auteur-driven cinema and discovering emerging global talent [1].
The jury, under Bekhti’s leadership, will be responsible for selecting the winners from this year’s selection. The panel comprises a distinguished group of international film professionals, reflecting a diverse array of cinematic disciplines and cultural backgrounds [1].
The Jury President’s Vision
Leïla Bekhti, a prominent figure in French cinema, expressed profound appreciation for her appointment. In her official statement, she emphasized the collaborative and experiential nature of the role:
“For my first time as Jury President, I will find myself in the unique position of watching, listening, sharing, and celebrating. Working in cinema has taught me that movies are places of encounter with others, with oneself, with the world. Discovering them alongside a jury, living this timeless experience, is both a responsibility and a joy. I look forward to the exchanged perspectives, the dialogues, and the doubts as well, which make up the richness of this living art. And, ultimately, I will be there in the most precious seat of all: that of the audience.” [1]
Bekhti’s career trajectory has been marked by significant critical acclaim since her breakthrough role in Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet (2009), which won the Grand Prix at Cannes [1]. She subsequently won the César Award for Most Promising Actress in 2011 for her performance in All That Glitters [1]. Her extensive filmography spans various genres, demonstrating her versatility in films such as The Source (2011), Sink or Swim (2018), and The Restless (2021) [1].
Composition of the 79th Un Certain Regard Jury
The jury members joining Bekhti represent a broad spectrum of the international film industry, including directing, producing, and composing.
| Name | Role | Country | Notable Works / Achievements |
| Leïla Bekhti (President) | Actress | France | A Prophet (2009), All That Glitters (2010 – César Award Winner) [1] |
| Angèle Diabang | Producer & Director | Senegal | Congo, a Doctor who Saves Women, So Long a Letter (2025) [1] |
| Laura Samani | Director & Screenwriter | Italy | Small Body (2021 – David di Donatello Winner), A Year of School (2025) [1] |
| Thomas Cailley | Director & Screenwriter | France | Love at First Fight (2014 – FIPRESCI Prize), The Animal Kingdom (2023) [1] |
| Khaled Mouzanar | Composer | Lebanon | Caramel (2007), Capharnaüm (2018 – Jury Prize at Cannes) [1] |
Jury Member Profiles
Angèle Diabang has been a pivotal figure in Africa’s audiovisual sector for over two decades through her production company, Karoninka [1]. Her directorial work frequently addresses social issues and human rights, notably in her documentary concerning Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege [1]. Her recent adaptation of Mariama Bâ’s novel, So Long a Letter (2025), achieved unprecedented box office success in West Africa [1].
Laura Samani garnered international attention with her debut feature, Small Body, which premiered at the Cannes Semaine de la Critique in 2021 and won the David di Donatello for Best Directorial Debut [1]. Her cinematic focus often centers on female protagonists navigating identity and societal norms, as seen in her recent Venice Film Festival entry, A Year of School (2025) [1].
Thomas Cailley, an alumnus of La Fémis, achieved early success with Love at First Fight, which secured the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes in 2014 [1]. His recent fantasy drama, The Animal Kingdom, opened the Un Certain Regard section in 2023 and subsequently won five César Awards in 2024, following significant critical and commercial success in France [1].
Khaled Mouzanar is a leading composer in the Lebanese art scene, widely recognized for his collaborations with director Nadine Labaki [1]. His work on Capharnaüm (2018), which he co-wrote, produced, and scored, contributed to the film winning the Jury Prize at Cannes and receiving Oscar and Golden Globe nominations [1]. His recent projects include the immersive installation 18:08 – When Gravity Was No More (2025), a tribute to the Port of Beirut [1].
Context and Legacy
The Un Certain Regard section remains a crucial component of the Festival de Cannes, highlighting films with unique styles and non-traditional narratives. The previous year’s Un Certain Regard Prize was awarded to Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes for his debut film, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo [1]. The 79th edition’s jury is poised to continue this tradition of recognizing innovative cinematic achievements.
References
[1] Festival de Cannes. (2026, April 17). The Un Certain Regard Jury Revealed. Press Release.