The Cannes Film Festival has just unveiled the official poster for its 79th edition, which will take place from May 12 to 23, 2026. For this image, the event has chosen to honor the heroines of Thelma and Louise, the Ridley Scott film released in 1991, portrayed on screen by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon.
A tribute to a film with a long-standing connection to the Croisette
This choice follows a logic of remembrance claimed by the Festival. The institution indeed points out that it intervenes "35 years after the world premiere of Ridley Scott's film on May 20, 1991 in Cannes". Thelma and Louise had then been presented out of competition on the Croisette, which reinforces the symbolic significance of this tribute for the 2026 edition.
A black and white poster built around the image of the two heroines
The poster, rendered in black and white, shows Louise in a white tank top, in a relaxed pose, while Thelma appears wearing dark glasses and with a revolver tucked into her back jeans pocket. The two characters are seated in the convertible Ford Thunderbird that accompanies their cross-country escape from "society" and "the men who abuse them," according to the official press release.
A choice that the Festival presents as feminist and still relevant today
In the text accompanying the announcement, the Festival clearly acknowledges the political and cultural dimension of this reference. It emphasizes that Avant-garde themes from 1991 permeate Thelma and Louise and still resonate strongly today., while describing the feature film as "The first female and feminist road movie in cinema" The Cannes town hall also echoes this interpretation and quotes the Festival, which describes the two characters as "These two unforgettable fighters" having "Embodied absolute freedom and unwavering friendship."
A heritage-inspired visual for a highly anticipated edition
Beyond the film reference, the Festival explains that it chose a black and white still from the set to represent "A vibrant film that celebrates life and the timeless struggles for the freedom to be oneself."The official poster credit mentions a photo of Roland Neveu, taken on the set of Thelma and Louise, with graphic design by Hartland Villa.
