The 2026 Cannes Film Festival began on Tuesday with actors Jane Fonda and Gong Li presenting the opening ceremony, and New Zealand’s Peter Jackson, who directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, receiving an honorary Palme d’Or award for his career.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival began on Tuesday with actors Jane Fonda and Gong Li presenting the opening ceremony, and New Zealand’s Peter Jackson, who directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, receiving an honorary Palme d’Or award for his career.

Jane Fonda and Gong Li on the same stage? That’s a powerhouse duo I never knew I needed. Hope they had a chance to chat about activism between the glamour.
Peter Jackson getting an honorary Palme d’Or is long overdue. The Lord of the Rings trilogy changed cinema forever — well deserved.
Two legendary actresses opening the festival, but I’m most curious about what films are competing this year. The opening ceremony is just the appetizer.
Climate policy needs to transcend partisan bickering and become a national priority. (82273d)
It feels like the political class is completely out of touch with ordinary people. (88cf91)
Why does every policy debate turn into a culture war these days? (7a1d90)
The spin coming out of every party headquarters is getting harder to swallow. (12fb63)