AceShowbiz - The Cannes Film Festival's ACID (Association for the Distribution of Independent Cinema) program has announced its lineup for 2026, showcasing nine daring films from emerging filmmakers across multiple countries, including two works from Iranian directors. The announcement was made by general delegate Pauline Ginot, who emphasized the adventurous and bold nature of the selected films.

Founded in 1992, ACID is a sidebar of Cannes dedicated to promoting theatrical distribution for independent films. It has earned a reputation for highlighting new directing talent. Over the years, ACID has introduced audiences to notable early works such as Justine Triet's debut feature Age of Panic, Radu Jude’s The Happiest Girl in the World, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Blade of Tunis. The program has also supported early projects by filmmakers like Guy Maddin, including his film My Winnipeg.

This year’s selection was highly competitive, with over 600 films submitted for just nine coveted slots, according to Ginot. The ACID team thoroughly reviewed every submission and offered personalized feedback to filmmakers, reflecting the collective’s commitment to supporting creators. Ginot explained, "We try to do so with some quotes and thoughts from the committee, so people know that their movies were really watched by other filmmakers." This approach aims to offer encouragement and recognition, even to those whose films were not ultimately selected.

Despite the difficult process and many strong contenders left out, Ginot remains optimistic that the excluded films will find other avenues for exposure. "We love to be adventurous," she stated. ACID prides itself on backing projects that may not be flawless but clearly reveal promising filmmakers with futures ahead. The program’s core mission is to help filmmakers secure their first films’ international visibility, which is crucial since there often is no second or third movie without that initial breakthrough.

The 2026 lineup is diverse, featuring three documentaries and one fiction-documentary hybrid. The themes explored range widely, with two films directed by Iran-born filmmakers included. The programming committee responsible for the selection comprises 13 filmmakers, including Valérie Bert, Anne Colson, Sylvain George, Martin Jauvat, Maxime Jean-Baptiste, Julien Meunier, Hélène Milano, Marion Naccache, Thomas Paulot, Philippe Petit, Déni Pitsaev, Paola Termine, and Pamela Varela.

Below is a detailed look at the films in the ACID 2026 program along with insights from Ginot.

A Secret Heart (France, 85 minutes, directed by Tom Fontenille) is an intimate family documentary filmed over four years. It chronicles Lilou, a 64-year-old woman undergoing a gender transition, as she embraces a new life filled with gardening, cycling, and caring for grandchildren. Ginot describes it as a "family healing its wounds and reinventing a place for everyone." The film delicately balances personal transformation with broader family dynamics, unfolding as both a melodrama and a family epic.

Blaise (France, 82 minutes, directed by Dimitri Planchon and Jean-Paul Guigue) is an animated adaptation of a comic, featuring a sharp, witty script and a stellar voice cast including Léa Drucker. The story follows the Sauvage family, each member grappling with their own challenges: Carole tries to improve her reputation at work, Jacques seeks acceptance among friends, and their son Blaise embarks on a rebellious crusade for a girl. The film tackles contemporary issues such as consent, social class, body image, and violence, while emphasizing the universal desire for connection and validation.

Born Under a Bad Star (France, 125 minutes, directed by Lola Cambourieu and Yann Berlier) opens the ACID selection with a powerful portrayal set in a southern French suburb amid scorching heat and wildfires. The narrative focuses on Kiki, a resilient female protagonist navigating family life and relationships over 24 intense hours. Ginot highlights the film’s bold approach to depicting control and power dynamics without overt explanation or moralizing, trusting the audience to engage with the material on their own terms.

Dans La Gueule De L'ogre (France, 86 minutes, directed by Mahsa Karampour) explores the experience of exile through the lens of two Iranian siblings living far from their homeland—one newly French, the other about to become American. The documentary delves into the punk underground scene of Tehran and the complex realities of displacement. Ginot notes it offers a personal and reflective take on exile, contrasting idealized notions with the harsh challenges faced by those who leave their country under difficult circumstances.

Detention (France, 132 minutes, directed by Guillaume Massart) takes viewers inside the prison officer academy in France, where hundreds of recruits learn the discipline and routines of their future roles. The film traces the gradual internalization of institutional norms and authority, showing how initial doubts give way to acceptance of the system. Ginot praises it as a profound examination of order, control, and the relationship individuals develop with authority across institutions.

Living Twice, Dying Thrice (Iran, 103 minutes, directed by Karim Lakzadeh) tells the story of three miners who survive a mine collapse and decide to conceal their survival to allow their families to claim death compensation. This decision triggers a cascade of crises involving familial tensions, the desire to restart their lives, and a search for identity that eventually leads them to Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities await proof of their death. Ginot highlights the film’s gripping narrative and exploration of survival and deception.

Overall, the ACID 2026 lineup reflects a commitment to spotlighting unique, challenging voices in cinema that might otherwise struggle to find international platforms. Through this selection, ACID continues its tradition of fostering new talent and supporting independent filmmaking with an adventurous spirit.