The 79th Cannes Film Festival Starts

May 13, 2026, 15:36
AsiaEntertainment

Introduction

The 79th Cannes Film Festival started on May 12, 2026. It is a big movie event in France for twelve days.

Main Body

Many people watch new movies here. This year, 22 movies compete for a big prize. There are many movies from Asia. Hollywood studios have fewer movies this year. Some famous people got awards. Peter Jackson and Barbra Streisand received special prizes. Park Chan-wook is the leader of the jury. He says movies can talk about art and politics. People also buy and sell movies at a big market. Some old movies are also in the festival. For example, people watched a movie from twenty years ago. Some actors who do not work in Hollywood now also came to the event.

Conclusion

The festival ends on May 23. On that day, the winner gets the Palme d'Or prize.

Learning

⏳ Talking about Time

Look at how the text tells us when things happen. To reach A2, you need to move between Now and Then.

The Past (Finished)

  • Started → It happened on May 12.
  • Received → They got the prizes already.
  • Watched → The movie was from twenty years ago.

The Present (General Facts)

  • Is → It is a big event.
  • Have → Studios have fewer movies.
  • Says → Park Chan-wook speaks about art.

The Future (Coming Soon)

  • Ends → The festival stops on May 23.
  • Gets → The winner will take the prize.

Quick Tip: Notice that we use -ed for things that are over (started, watched). For things that are true right now, we keep the word simple (is, have).

Vocabulary Learning

big (adj.)
Large in size or amount.
Example:The festival was a big event for the city.
movie (n.)
A film shown in a cinema or on television.
Example:She watched a new movie last night.
event (n.)
Something that happens, especially a special occasion.
Example:The opening ceremony was a major event.
people (n.)
Human beings; individuals.
Example:Many people attended the festival.
watch (v.)
To look at something for a period of time.
Example:I like to watch movies on weekends.
new (adj.)
Recently made or discovered.
Example:They released a new film this week.
compete (v.)
To try to win or achieve something.
Example:The films compete for the top prize.
prize (n.)
An award given for winning.
Example:He won a prize for his acting.
famous (adj.)
Well known by many people.
Example:The director is a famous filmmaker.
awards (n.)
Recognitions given for achievements.
Example:The ceremony gave several awards.
special (adj.)
Different from usual; unique.
Example:She received a special prize.
leader (n.)
A person who leads or directs.
Example:The jury's leader made the final decision.
jury (n.)
A group of people who judge something.
Example:The jury chose the best film.
talk (v.)
To speak about something.
Example:The director can talk about art.
art (n.)
Creative expression.
Example:The film is a piece of art.
politics (n.)
The activities associated with governing.
Example:Some movies discuss politics.
buy (v.)
To purchase.
Example:You can buy tickets online.
sell (v.)
To give something in exchange for money.
Example:The market sells vintage posters.
market (n.)
A place where goods are sold.
Example:The film market attracted many buyers.
old (adj.)
From a long time ago.
Example:They screened old movies.
festival (n.)
A series of events celebrating something.
Example:The Cannes festival is famous worldwide.
example (n.)
A specific instance.
Example:For example, the film was shown yesterday.
years (n.)
Units of time.
Example:He has worked for many years.
actors (n.)
People who perform in films.
Example:The actors rehearsed for the premiere.
work (v.)
To perform a job.
Example:She works as a director.
came (v.)
Past tense of come; arrived.
Example:They came to the event last month.
winner (n.)
Someone who wins a competition.
Example:The winner received a golden trophy.
get (v.)
To receive or obtain.
Example:He will get the prize tomorrow.
has (v.)
Third person singular form of have.
Example:The festival has many attractions.
have (v.)
To possess or own.
Example:We have tickets for the show.
many (det.)
A large number of.
Example:Many people attended the opening.
days (n.)
Units of time equal to 24 hours.
Example:The festival lasts for twelve days.