Cristian Mungiu's 'Fjord' Wins Palme d'Or at 79th Cannes Film Festival

The 79th Cannes Film Festival concluded on May 23, 2026, with Romanian director Cristian Mungiu taking home the prestigious Palme d’Or for his film "Fjord." This marks Mungiu's second Palme d’Or win after his acclaimed 2007 film "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days." "Fjord," a moral thriller starring Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan, explores the societal contradictions of Norway, focusing on themes of suspected abuse, cultural conflict, and the tension between proclaimed tolerance and exclusion of those who deviate from societal norms.

The festival's jury, led by South Korean director Park Chan-wook, also recognized Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto as Best Actresses for their performances in "Soudain," a film about the touching relationship forged in a nursing home. Best Actor awards were jointly given to Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne for their roles as young soldiers in love during World War I, in the film "Coward." Emmanuel Macchia expressed hope that the film encourages acceptance among youth.

Andreï Zviaguintsev received the Grand Prix for his film "Minotaure," making an impassioned plea during his acceptance speech for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, highlighting the universal longing for peace by those affected by the conflict. Emmanuel Marre was honored with the Best Screenplay award for "Notre salut," a contemporary narrative addressing France’s Vichy regime era.

The directing prize was shared by Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo, and Pawel Pawlikowski. In a special tribute, the festival awarded Honorary Palmes to Barbra Streisand, Peter Jackson, and John Travolta, honoring their contributions to cinema.

These awards reflect the festival's ongoing commitment to recognizing films that tackle complex social issues while celebrating artistic excellence.