Mubi Acquires North American Rights to Lukas Dhont’s 'Coward'

Mubi has acquired the North American distribution rights to "Coward," a new film by director Lukas Dhont, during the Cannes Film Festival [1, 4].

The acquisition signals Mubi's intent to bring high-profile, award-contending international cinema to U.S. audiences. By securing a film that generated significant buzz at one of the world's most prestigious festivals, the distributor positions itself as a primary gateway for auteur-driven queer cinema in the North American market [1, 5].

"Coward" is described as a queer romantic drama and a military story ^[3]. The film entered the competition at Cannes this month, where it reportedly earned one of the longest standing ovations of the festival [1, 2].

Dhont is previously known for his feature film "Close," which was released in 2022 ^[6]. His return to the competition at Cannes underscores his growing influence in global cinema and the continued interest of distributors in his specific storytelling style.

The deal was finalized in France during the May 2026 festival dates [1, 6]. Mubi frequently utilizes the Cannes market to identify and purchase rights for films that bridge the gap between niche art-house appeal, and broader critical success ^[5].

While specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the move follows Mubi's established pattern of acquiring titles that possess strong festival momentum [4, 5]. The company now holds the responsibility for the film's theatrical and digital rollout across the U.S. and Canada [1, 2].