Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Mungiu Wins Palme d’Or, Zvyagintsev Takes Grand Prix

5/24/2026

33 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or for his film Fjord at Cannes on May 23, 2026.
Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev received the Grand Prix for Minotaur, announced the same day.
Neon extended its streak to seven consecutive Palme d’Or wins, which began with Parasite in 2019.
Barbra Streisand received an Honorary Palme d’Or but missed the ceremony due to a knee injury, while Isabelle Huppert sent a video tribute.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 Emir Kusturica joined the ten directors who have won the Palme d’Or twice, adding to his 1985 win. Cannes awarded its first Korean Palme d’Or to Parasite in 2019 and its first non-Western honorary Palme d’Or to Studio Ghibli in 2024. The 2026 Palme d’Or for Romanian Cristian Mungiu and Grand Prix for Russian Andrey Zvyagintsev keep the festival’s global focus.

1 of 2

Story summary

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or for his film Fjord at Cannes on May 23, 2026.
Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev received the Grand Prix for Minotaur, announced the same day.
Neon extended its streak to seven consecutive Palme d’Or wins, which began with Parasite in 2019.
Barbra Streisand received an Honorary Palme d’Or but missed the ceremony due to a knee injury, while Isabelle Huppert sent a video tribute.

1 / 2