In an interview with Variety, Cannes Film Festival director, Thierry Fremaux, expressed that he welcomes Israeli and Palestinian films to the screening.
Responding to a journalist's inquiry about the possibility of including films from Israel or Palestine in the festival's official program, Fremaux stated, "There are no restrictions." He elaborated, "Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, like other intellectuals from both countries, have traditionally been inclined to dialogue. Those I know advocate for an end to the conflict and negotiations."
The official lineup for the 77th Cannes Film Festival will be unveiled on April 11.
French director Quentin Dupieux's film "The Second Act," starring Léa Seydoux, will open the festival.
Additionally, the festival will feature the premiere of George Miller's post-apocalyptic action film "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," serving as a sequel to "Mad Max."
Fremaux expressed his hope for the inclusion of Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited film "Megalopolis," on which the director has spent decades and invested $120 million of his own funds, as well as Yorgos Lanthimos' new film "Kinds of Kindness."
Director Greta Gerwig will lead the jury of the main competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival, while Canadian director Xavier Dolan has been appointed to head the jury of the Un Certain Regard selection. The festival is scheduled to run from May 14 to May 24, 2024.
