Cannes and Venice Chiefs Target 2026 Films

The chiefs of the Cannes and Venice film festivals are initiating their preparations for the 2026 event cycle. Thierry Frémaux and Alberto Barbera are scheduled to make their ritual January trip to Los Angeles. Their objective is to secure the most sought-after films for their festivals.

This year's negotiations are anticipated to be more difficult than they were at the start of 2025. The competition to secure high-profile premieres is a central focus for both festivals as they look ahead to the new year.

The heads of two of the world's most prominent film festivals are beginning their annual search for cinematic premieres. Thierry Frémaux, who leads the Cannes Film Festival, and Alberto Barbera, the director of the Venice Film Festival, are set to travel to Los Angeles in January. This trip is a long-standing tradition for the festival chiefs, serving as a critical period for networking and deal-making with Hollywood studios and producers.

The primary goal of this journey is to secure films that will define the prestige of their respective festivals. For Cannes and Venice, securing a world premiere from a major director or a highly anticipated blockbuster is a significant coup. The competition between the two festivals often begins months before the events themselves, starting with these crucial negotiations in Los Angeles.

While the festivals are still months away, speculation is already mounting regarding which films will be featured. Industry watchers are anticipating a strong selection of movies for the 2026 festival circuit. Several high-profile projects are rumored to be in contention for premiere slots at either Cannes or Venice.

Expected titles include:

• Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day'
• A new film starring Tom Cruise
• A project directed by Iñárritu titled 'Digger'

These potential entries suggest a competitive season ahead for the festival programmers.

The atmosphere for the 2026 acquisition season is expected to be distinct from the previous year. Reports indicate that the courtship season might be slightly bumpier than it was at the start of 2025. This suggests that the negotiations in Los Angeles could involve more complex discussions or increased competition for the top-tier films.

The dynamic between Cannes and Venice is often one of rivalry. Both festivals vie for the same pool of prestigious films. The outcome of the January pilgrimage to Los Angeles will heavily influence the programming for both events later in the year.

The journey to Los Angeles marks the official start of the selection process for the 2026 film festival calendar. The efforts of Thierry Frémaux and Alberto Barbera during this period will determine the cinematic landscape that audiences and critics will experience later in the year. As the situation develops, the film industry will be watching closely to see which festival secures the most significant premieres.