Only five directors out of 22 at this year's Cannes Film Festival are women – two fewer than in 2025. Campaigners who want to see the film industry become more inclusive say the numbers reflect a broader gender gap in French cinema.
Issued on: 15/05/2026 - 11:41
Modified: 15/05/2026 - 12:17
There are five women in the official competition at Cannes this year, three from France, one from Germany and one from Austria – representing 23 percent of the 22 films vying for the Palme d’Or prize.
It is progress compared to the average of 3 percent of women directors competing from 1946 to 1980, and 12 percent between 2011 and 2020.
