‘Oldboy’ filmmaker Park Chan-wook named president of Cannes 2026 competition jury

‘Oldboy’ filmmaker Park Chan-wook named president of Cannes 2026 competition jury

• Park Chan-wook named jury president for 2026 Cannes Film Festival
• First South Korean to lead Cannes' main competition jury
• Park is acclaimed for films like Oldboy and Decision to Leave

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Acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has been appointed president of the main competition jury at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, festival organisers announced on Thursday.

The prestigious role places him at the helm of the panel responsible for awarding the Palme d’Or, the highest honour of the annual festival, which runs from May 12 to May 23, 2026 in Cannes, France.

Park’s appointment marks a historic milestone for Korean cinema, as he becomes the first South Korean director to preside over the festival’s main competition jury. His selection highlights the growing global influence of Korean filmmakers and cinematic achievements.

The director is a long-standing favourite at Cannes. He first gained international acclaim at the festival in 2004 when his breakthrough film Oldboy won the Grand Prix, the second-highest award after the Palme d’Or. He went on to receive the Jury Prize for Thirst in 2009 and the Best Director Award for Decision to Leave in 2022, reinforcing his reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s boldest storytellers.

Cannes festival president Iris Knobloch and artistic director Thierry Frémaux praised Park’s “visual mastery” and distinctive cinematic voice, noting that his films explore deep emotional and moral complexities while pushing genre boundaries. In a statement, they welcomed his leadership of the 2026 jury, saying it celebrates both his contributions to global cinema and the vibrancy of Korean filmmaking on the world stage.

In response to his appointment, Park reflected on cinema’s power to unite audiences, saying that sharing a film in a dark theatre creates a “universal expression of solidarity” in an age of division. His remarks reflect his belief in film as a communal experience that transcends borders.

The Cannes Film Festival remains one of the world’s most influential platforms for international cinema. As jury president, Park will lead deliberations on films from around the globe competing for top honours, setting the tone for the festival’s artistic direction and helping elevate emerging cinematic voices.

The official lineup for the 79th Cannes Film Festival is expected to be announced in mid-April 2026, with anticipation building around what selections Park and his jury will evaluate.