Feature Films Jury Press Conference – Awards © Joachim Tournebize / FDC
On the 2026 Winners: Feature Films Jury Press Conference
The Feature Films Jury, with Park-Chan-wook as its President, and including Demi Moore, Ruth Negga, Laura Wandel, Diego Céspedes, Isaach de Bankolé, Paul Laverty, Chloé Zhao and Stellan Skarsgård, got together one last time for a press conference following the announcement of the winners at the 79th Festival de Cannes. Here are some highlights of their comments.
A humorous remark from President Park Chan-wook
Quite honestly, I really didn’t want to award the Palme d’Or to any film. Why? Because I’ve never won one myself! But anyway, we had no choice! And of course, Fjord definitely deserved the Palme d’Or.
Chloé Zhao explains the decision to award prizes to male and female acting duos
In an age when loneliness is so widespread in our societies, we were moved by the tenderness in the relationships depicted in these films. We fell in love not only with the actors but especially with the loving relationships we saw on screen.
How Ruth Negga felt after watching the films in Competition
This marks the end of a twelve-day summer camp spent watching movies. I have so much respect for the artists and filmmakers. It was such a generous offering, and for me, it felt like one masterclass after another.
Isaach de Bankolé
It was like a microcosm, a tiny world made up of nine people with their own ideas and suggestions. We came away with even more ideas. It’s wonderful to be able to listen to one another and, where necessary, to change our minds about the films. It was a very constructive exercise.
Diego Céspedes, grateful to other members of the Jury
I feel like, thanks to all of you, I’ve learned so much, and that’s what cinema is all about. It’s about interacting with others, it’s not just a screen. It’s a reflection of the human soul, and it enables us to share experiences. That’s what we’ve done.
Laura Wandel
I would say the same thing. I’ve also learned a great deal from all of you, and from the films too. The best part for me is that we really were very attentive to what each other said.
Paul Laverty
It’s always a bit stereotypical to say it, but honestly, it was a wonderful experience because we all listened to each other. The critics, you, and us are all in this together to promote cinema.
Demi Moore
We had the opportunity to truly appreciate contemporary cinema every day. Paul, you said this group is intelligent, and it’s true. Above all, there was a lot of kindness—both between us and in the way we felt about the films. I’m leaving this experience having grown into a better person.
The moderator quickly jumped in: “And what about you, Stellan Skarsgård, have you become a better person?” The actor replied sarcastically,
No, unfortunately not! It didn’t work in my case, but it’s true that it was really enjoyable to see some of the best films in the world and hear the opinions of the other Jury members, to feel challenged, and to be forced to think beyond our own opinions. Even if I had trouble remembering everything and keeping track of everything because I didn’t really have an overall view.
