Werner Herzog Declines Cannes Invitation for “Bucking Fastard” After Competition Slot Denial

Werner Herzog’s upcoming film “Bucking Fastard” will not screen at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. A film spokesperson confirmed the project was invited as an official selection but the filmmakers declined because Cannes did not allocate a competition slot. The move echoes director Jim Jarmusch’s refusal to attend Cannes in 2025 after his film “Father Mother Sister Brother” was excluded from competition.

Variety Magazine

Cannes separates official selections into competition and non-competitive sections, and many auteurs view a competition slot as essential for market visibility and financing. Jarmusch’s 2025 experience—where his film later won the Golden Lion at Venice and earned $8.2 million globally—has been cited as a precedent influencing Herzog’s decision.

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“Bucking Fastard” is directed by Werner Herzog and stars Rooney, Kate Mara, Orlando Bloom, and Domhnall Gleeson. The plot follows twin sisters Jean and Joan Holbrooke digging a tunnel toward an imagined land of true love. Herzog hoped the lead performances would qualify for Cannes awards if a competition slot were offered.

Variety Magazine

Herzog’s refusal underscores the link between competition placement and a film’s commercial trajectory. By rejecting a non-competitive slot, he signals that festival profile, rather than award eligibility alone, drives investor confidence and future production. The decision may prompt Cannes to reassess its selection strategy for high-profile auteurs.

Variety Magazine

The film’s spokesperson said “Bucking Fastard” was invited as an official selection but declined due to the lack of a competition slot. Cannes organizers declined to comment. Herzog’s team indicated the primary motivation was to secure award eligibility for the lead actors, aligning with his view that competition status enhances a film’s release profile.

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• “I submitted it to Cannes, and we were told, ‘It’s not selected for competition. We might put it in a different section,'” — Jim Jarmusch, Director

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• “To which I responded, ‘I haven’t made a film in five years. I’ve been in Cannes many times. That’s not appropriate to me,’” — Jim Jarmusch, Director

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• “Competition’s very important to me in Cannes, not for the competition, but for the profile of the release of my film, so I can start getting the investors paid back, and I can make another film. It’s not about the awards.” — Jim Jarmusch, Director

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• “In an interview with Variety last year, Kate Mara described working on “Bucking Fastard” as “one of the greatest experiences ever” and “like a dream scenario.” — Kate Mara, Actress

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• “So to be able to have that experience with him was magical. But then to have it with my sister, it’s sort of what dreams are made of.” — Kate Mara, Actress

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