Fjord snags Palme d'Or, Mungiu wins again, Zviaguintsev takes Grand Prix

The 79th Cannes Film Festival closed on Sunday with Romanian director Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord taking the coveted Palme d’Or. The drama, starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, follows a mixed‑Romanian‑Norwegian family that moves to the fjord village where the wife was born.

Their plans unravel when they confront a local couple who hold contrasting life views. , Mungiu becomes the tenth filmmaker to win the top prize twice after his earlier triumph with 4 Months 3 Weeks 2 Days.

While Fjord lifted the Palme d’Or, Russian filmmaker Andreï Zviaguintsev’s Minotaur captured the Grand Prix. In his acceptance speech, Zviaguintsev urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop “the butchery.” The Best Director award was shared by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi for La Bola Negra and Paweł Pawlikowski for Fatherland.

The Jury Prize went to Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure, and Emmanuel Marre won Best Screenplay for A Man Of His Time (Notre Salut).

Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared Best Actress for All Of A Sudden, while Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagneshare were co‑awards for Best Actor in Coward. The Caméra d’Or honored Rwandan debutant Marie‑Clémentine Dusabejambo for Ben Imana, the festival’s first Rwandan film to screen.

Federico Luis took the Short Film Palme d’Or for For The Opponents, a story of a young Mexican boy dreaming of boxing. Barbra Streisand received an honorary Palme d’Or; she sent a video message as she could not attend due to health concerns, and Isabelle Huppert presented the honor.

## Background & Context

Cannes’ 79th edition opened with a lineup of 22 feature films vying for the Palme d’Or, including works by Pedro Almodóvar, Asghar Farhadi, and James Gray. Romanian director Cristian Mungiu entered the competition with Fjord, a drama that follows a mixed‑national family settling in a fjord village where the mother was born.

The film’s narrative tension centers on the couple’s clash with locals who hold contrasting life views.

Mungiu’s earlier Palme d’Or win came with 4 Months 3 Weeks 2 Days, making him the tenth director to receive the award twice. His films are known for their incisive social commentary and understated storytelling. The festival’s jury, chaired by Park Chan‑Wook, also considered works from a diverse roster of international filmmakers.

The awards night, held at the Grand Theatre Auditorium, featured presenters such as Geena Davis and Tilda Swinton. In addition to the competitive prizes, an honorary Palme d’Or was awarded to Barbra Streisand . The ceremony capped a festival that had run from May 11 to 25, showcasing a broad spectrum of global cinema.

The jury’s composition reflected the festival’s international outlook, with members including Demi Moore, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga and Isaach De Bankolé, alongside Chloé Zhao, Diego Céspedes, Laura Wandel and Paul Laverty. Their diverse expertise covered acting, directing, screenwriting and production.

The presence of such a varied panel underscored Cannes’ reputation for championing artistic merit across genres.

## What People Are Saying

review of Fjord described it as a “fiercely intelligent and gripping movie that finds its power in providing no easy answer.” The review highlighted the film’s nuanced portrayal of cultural clash and family dynamics. Critics noted Mungiu’s signature restraint in storytelling.

Zviaguintsev’s acceptance speech for the Grand Prix drew international attention when he urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop “the butchery.” The call was interpreted as a political statement amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The jury’s decision underscored the festival’s tradition of spotlighting socially relevant cinema.

The Best Director tie was praised for its diversity, with Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi recognized for La Bola Negra and Paweł Pawlikowski for Fatherland. The jury’s choice of the Caméra d’Or winner, Marie‑Clémentine Dusabejambo’s Ben Imana, marked a milestone as the first Rwandan film to screen at Cannes.

Critics lauded the breadth of genres represented at the ceremony.

The Caméra d’Or victory for Marie‑Clémentine Dusabejambo’s Ben Imana was widely regarded as a historic milestone, marking the first Rwandan film to screen at Cannes. The film’s focus on justice and reconciliation resonated with audiences and critics alike, further expanding the festival’s reach into new regions.

## What Happens Next

The awards ceremony concluded with the presentation of the Palme d’Or by Tilda Swinton and the honorary Palme d’Or to Barbra Streisand, delivered . Following the night, the festival’s closing gala will celebrate the winners and highlight upcoming film releases.

The 79th Cannes Film Festival closed on May 25, ending a month‑long showcase of international cinema.

Industry insiders note that the Palme d’Or win could boost Fjord’s distribution prospects across Europe and North America. Mungiu’s achievement may also influence future festival programming, given his track record of social commentary.

Meanwhile, the political undertones of Zviaguintsev’s speech may resonate with future discussions on cinema and activism.

In addition to the awards, Cannes’ press office announced that several films will continue to screen in post‑festival festivals, including selections for Toronto, Berlin, and Venice.

The festival’s programming team highlighted the significance of the international distribution deals signed during the event, noting that many of the winners have already secured partnerships with major streaming platforms.

Industry analysts suggest that the 79th edition's emphasis on political and social themes may influence upcoming projects seeking to address contemporary global issues.

The festival’s official website will continue to list full details of the winners and schedule for the post‑festival screenings. Additional interviews and behind‑the‑scenes footage are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Fans of Cannes can look forward to a reflective look at how the 79th edition shaped global film conversation.

Cannes’ final night showcased a mosaic of voices and visions, reaffirming the festival’s role as a barometer of world cinema.