Park Chan-wook Is the 2026 Cannes Jury President

Hollywood Reporter

by Scott Roxborough

February 26, 2026

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South Korean director Park Chan-wook has been appointed as the jury president for the 79th Cannes International Film Festival, marking a historic moment in the festival's history. Known for his groundbreaking films such as *Oldboy*, *The Handmaiden*, and *No Other Choice*, Park will lead the international jury that selects this year’s Palme d’Or. The 2026 Cannes Film Festival, set to run from May 12 to 23, will now have a首位 Korean president of its jury, a recognition of both Park's artistic contributions and the growing influence of Korean cinema on the global stage. Park Chan-wook’s journey to this prestigious role began with his early film *Joint Security Area* (2000), which first brought him international attention. However, it was *Oldboy*, premiered at Cannes in 2004, that solidified his reputation as a visionary filmmaker. The revenge thriller earned widespread acclaim and speculation about its potential Palme d’Or win, though it ultimately received the Grand Jury Prize. Park has been a frequent visitor to Cannes since then, with films like *Thirst* (2009) winning the jury prize, *The Handmaiden* (2016) receiving the Vulcan Prize for production design, and *Decision to Leave* (2022) earning him Best Director honors. His ability to blend artistic innovation with moral depth has consistently earned him accolades in international film circles. Cannes’ selection of Park as jury president underscores its commitment to recognizing diverse voices in cinema. Festival officials highlighted his “inventiveness, visual mastery, and ability to capture the complexities of human命运,” aligning these qualities with the festival’s mission to celebrate contemporary works that resonate globally. Park’s presidency is also seen as a testament to the mutual respect between him and Cannes, as well as the growing influence of Korean cinema in international festivals. His films often explore themes of human struggle and moral ambiguity, drawing comparisons to legendary filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/26/2026