CANNES 2026 Directors’ Fortnight / Awards
– CANNES 2026 : British director Clio Barnard’s film has clinched the Audience Award, Too Many Beasts took home the Europa Cinemas Label and Shana scooped the SACD Coup de Cœur Award
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning by Clio Barnard
Handed out for the third time, the Audience Award at the 58th edition of the Directors’ Fortnight (which took place as an integral part of the 79th Cannes Film Festival) went to I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning by British director Clio Barnard (who previously took part in the Fortnight in 2013 with The Selfish Giant and in 2021 with Ali & Ava, and earned a Special Mention in TIFF’s Platform in 2017 with Dark River). Adapted by Enda Walsh from the novel of the same name by Keiran Goddard, this production by British company Moonspun Films is being sold worldwide by Charades.
Too Many Beasts by Italian-Swiss helmer Sarah Arnold won the Europa Cinemas Label (handed out by a jury of exhibitors to the best European film in the parallel section). Produced by French company 5 à 7 Films and co-produced by France 3 Cinéma, this debut feature is being sold by Playtime.
Another debut feature was honoured with the Coup de Cœur des Auteurs Award from SACD (which recognises a French-language title): Shana by French filmmaker Lila Pinell. This production by Ecce Films and CG Cinéma, with France 2 Cinéma on board as co-producer, is being sold by Les Films du Losange.
Here is the full list of winners:
Audience Award
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning – Clio Barnard (UK)
Europa Cinemas Label
Too Many Beasts – Sarah Arnold (France)
SACD Coup de Cœur des Auteurs Awards
Shana – Lila Pinell (France)
(Translated from French)
