AceShowbiz - Leïla Bekhti, the acclaimed French actress, has been named President of the Un Certain Regard Jury at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. She will oversee the selection and deliberation process for this prestigious category, which highlights unique and innovative films.

Joining Bekhti on the jury are a diverse group of talented artists from around the world: Senegalese producer Angèle Diabang, Lebanese composer Khaled Mouzanar, Italian director Laura Samani, and French director Thomas Cailley. This international panel is tasked with recognizing films that offer fresh perspectives and bold storytelling.

Bekhti follows in the footsteps of British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, who presided over the jury in 2025. That year, the jury awarded the Un Certain Regard Prize to Chilean director Diego Céspedes for his first feature film, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo.

Reflecting on her role, Bekhti expressed enthusiasm for the unique opportunity to engage with diverse cinematic voices. She emphasized that cinema serves as a place for encounters—with others, with oneself, and with the world—highlighting the power of film to connect audiences and creators alike.

The announcement underlines the festival’s commitment to celebrating global talent and fostering creative exchange through its Un Certain Regard section, which runs parallel to the main competition. Bekhti’s leadership is expected to bring fresh energy and insight to the jury’s deliberations at this internationally renowned event.