The 79th Cannes Film Festival has wrapped, amid familiar complaints about the lack of Hollywood blockbusters, fewer American stars and a competition lineup that delivered a string of beloved films but no immediate consensus masterpiece. Yet, Thierry Frémaux sees a very different story. In his view, Cannes has never been more competitive, more influential or more resistant to the forces reshaping the entertainment industry. “In 25 years, the festival has become more intense and more efficient,” says the Cannes Film Festival’s longtime general delegate and director, arguing that the Croisette continues to thrive despite “the acceleration of social media, the logic of influence and the growing pressure of money.”
In his first interview since this year’s festival concluded with Cristian Mungiu’s “Fjord,” a political drama starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, winning the Palme d’Or, Frémaux — who marked his 25th year at the helm in 2026 — pushes back against claims that Cannes is losing its Hollywood appeal, arguing that American cinema remains central to the festival (“The United States is the second most represented country in Cannes,” he says), even as the industry undergoes a profound restructuring. While acknowledging a lighter studio presence this year, Frémaux notes that stars including Adam Driver, Kristen Stewart, Michael Fassbender, Rami Malek, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, John Travolta and Vin Diesel all showed up.
