The Cannes Film Festival unveiled its official poster for 2026 featuring a still of Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in "Thelma & Louise" [1].
The selection highlights the festival's commitment to celebrating cinematic works that have achieved lasting cultural significance and feminist impact. By revisiting a film that premiered at the event decades ago, the organizers connect the current edition to the festival's historical legacy of artistic rebellion.
Organizers revealed the artwork in April 2026 [2] ahead of the 79th edition of the festival [3]. The poster depicts the two protagonists driving toward the iconic cliff-edge scene, a moment that has become a global symbol of defiance and friendship.
"We wanted to honour a film that has become a feminist icon and a timeless celebration of female friendship," said Cannes Festival Director Thierry Frémaux [4].
The film, directed by Ridley Scott, originally premiered at Cannes in 1991 [1]. Since then, the story of two women on the run has evolved into a cultural touchstone for audiences worldwide. The festival's choice to center the 2026 imagery on this specific film serves as a formal tribute to the movie's enduring influence on cinema and gender representation.
"The image of Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon driving off the cliff perfectly captures the rebellious spirit of Cannes," said the festival’s communications team [5].
The 79th edition of the festival opens in May 2026. The use of the 1991 imagery is intended to evoke the spirit of independence and liberation that the film represents, qualities the festival organizers wish to associate with the upcoming event.
“"We wanted to honour a film that has become a feminist icon and a timeless celebration of female friendship,"”
The decision to feature 'Thelma & Louise' on the official poster underscores a trend of utilizing the festival's visual identity to signal ideological values, such as female empowerment and artistic defiance. By linking the 79th edition to a 1991 premiere, Cannes reinforces its role as an archive of cinematic history while explicitly aligning its brand with feminist iconography.
