This year’s Cannes Film Festival will welcome two figures with African roots among the members of its prestigious official jury: Ivorian-American actor Isaach de Bankolé and Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga.
From May 12 to 23, the two artists will take part in the deliberations of the 79th edition of the festival, chaired by South Korean director Park Chan-wook. They will be joined by fellow jury members including Demi Moore, Laura Wandel, Chloé Zhao, Diego Céspedes, Paul Laverty, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Isaach de Bankolé: A Career Built on Perseverance
Isaach de Bankolé first gained recognition in French cinema after winning the César Award for Most Promising Actor in 1987 for Black Mic-Mac. Born in Abidjan to a family originally from Dahomey, present-day Benin, his journey to cinema was far from conventional.
Coming from a family of 17 children, nothing initially destined him for acting. He moved to Paris to train as an airline pilot before being discovered and later trained at the renowned Cours Simon acting school. A mathematics graduate from the University of Paris, he went on to build an international career with roles in Black Panther, Shaft, and Casino Royale.
The actor also became one of the iconic faces of Jim Jarmusch’s cinema, with memorable performances in Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Coffee and Cigarettes, and The Limits of Control.
His presence on the Cannes jury represents major recognition for an actor who has long spoken out against the stereotypical roles often assigned to Black actors in the film industry.
Ruth Negga: Elegance and International Recognition
More discreet yet equally respected, Ruth Negga has gradually established herself as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. Born in Addis Ababa to an Ethiopian father and an Irish mother, she later grew up in Limerick before studying drama at Trinity College Dublin.
After making her film debut in Trafficked and gaining attention on Irish television with Love Is the Drug, her career reached an international level thanks to her role in Loving. Her portrayal of Mildred Loving earned her an Academy Award nomination in 2017, as well as recognition at the BAFTA Rising Star Awards.
With the presence of Isaach de Bankolé and Ruth Negga, the 2026 edition once again highlights the growing influence of African and Afro-descendant talent in global cinema.
