Spain Takes Off, Packs Historic Cannes Punch 

May 13, 2026 9:12am PT Spain Takes Off, Packs Historic Cannes Punch 

Why Spain has hit the international stage as a film force to be reckoned with

By John Hopewell

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John Hopewell

Chief International Correspondent

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Over 2025-26, no country anywhere in the world outside France, not even the U.S., has had more Cannes Palme d’Or contenders than Spain.

Pedro Almodóvar, Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo have made Cannes’ 2026 main competition cut; Oliver Laxe and Carla Simón were selected in 2025.

Arguably, Spain also has two of the biggest stars at this year’s Cannes Film Festival: Almodóvar and Javier Bardem, who fronts Sorogoyen’s “The Beloved.” The 11 Spanish feature productions selected for the main sections at the Cannes Festival this year is also a record. 

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