Juliette Binoche has been announced as the president of the jury for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, as confirmed by festival organizers on Tuesday.
Binoche takes over from Greta Gerwig, who led last year’s jury, marking the second consecutive year that a woman will head the prestigious panel.
The French actress has had a long history with Cannes, first attending the festival 40 years ago with the premiere of André Téchiné’s Rendez-vous. She has since returned multiple times, including for films like Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Blue, Michael Haneke’s Caché, and Abbas Kiarostami’s Certified Copy.
Reflecting on her journey, Binoche shared, “In 1985, I walked up the steps for the first time with the enthusiasm and uncertainty of a young actress; I never imagined I’d return 40 years later in the honorary role of President of the Jury. I appreciate the privilege, the responsibility, and the absolute need for humility.”
The Cannes Film Festival, scheduled to take place from May 13-24, will announce its lineup in mid-April. Last year, Greta Gerwig’s jury awarded the prestigious Palme d’Or to Sean Baker’s Anora.
The last time two women served as consecutive jury presidents at Cannes was in 1966, when Sophia Loren followed Olivia de Havilland as the head of the jury.