Written by Kianna Best on May 8, 2023. Posted in Awards and Festivals

76th Cannes Festival Jury announced

Joining jury president Ruben Östlund for this year’s Cannes Film Festival is a roster of talented industry creatives. Welcoming a new generation of jury members, this festivals selection consist of  artists who direct, act, sing and write. With a host of boundary pushing projects competing for the highly coveted Palme d’or, the jury will be tasked with awarding one of the 21 films battling it out. 

Swedish director Ruben Östlund was announced as Jury president back in February, returning to the Palais just a year after his successful presence at the festival with his critically acclaimed Triangle of Sadness. Joining him are 8 industry professionals including Maryuam Touzani, Denis Ménochet, Rungano Nyoni,  Brie Larson, Paul Dano, Atiq Rahimi, Damián Szifron, and Julia Ducournau. 

Film critic turned director and screenwriter Maryam Touzani has had her fair share of Cannes appearances with her first feature film Adam selected for the Un Certain Regard at the festival in 2019 and shortlisted for the Oscars. Currently working on her first novel and next feature film, Touzani, brings a multidisciplinary creative background to her role. Joining her is French actor Denis Ménochet, know for his part in the opening scene for Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards. 

Zambian born and Welsh raised Rungano Nyoni brings a diversity in perspective which has carried into her role as a screenwriter and director. Seated on the jury, she looks back on her past credits, including her first feature Im Not a Witch which premieres at Cannes in 2018 and won the filmmaker the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Captain Marvel lead Brie Larson sits alongside her. The actress, director and producer has an expansive list of credits from her Oscar winning performance in Lenny Abrahamson’s Room and this year’s The Marvels. 

The Fableman’s actor Paul Dano is much more than his many roles he has held over the year. The actor has also had his hand in screen writing and directing with credits including his directorial debut Wildlife which met critical acclaim at Sundance. Joining him is Afghani writer and director Atiq Rahimi. Born in Kabul, Rahimi is an esteemed writer whose first book, Earth and Ashes, published in 2000 had its adaptation screened and selected for the Un Certain Regard four years later.  

Closing off the jury are two writer/directors bringing their respective French and Argentinian backgrounds and previous Cannes experiences to their newly instated roles. Damián Szifron is an award winning talent with projects such as his 2014 film Wild Tales making it to the competition of the Official Selection. 2021 Palme d’or winner Julia Ducouranu brings her unique approach to cinema to her jury role. At the helm of two episodes of Apple series The New Look, Ducouranu is currently working on her own series in the US for A24 TV as well as her next feature film. 

Images courtesy of Festival de Cannes