The 65th edition of the Semaine de la Critique, a parallel section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, will run from May 13 to May 21 and feature 11 feature films selected from 1,050 submissions and 2,400 short films. Seven of these films will be in competition, including five first features and two second features, with four special screenings; all but two of the selected films are first-time features, according to awardswatch.com.

Animated Debut Opens Cannes’ Critics Week

The opening film will be Phuong Mai Nguyen’s animated feature In Waves, a first for Critics Week, featuring voice work from Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu in the English version. The closing film will be Adieu monde cruel, a coming-of-age drama by Félix de Givry, starring Milo Machado-Graner of Anatomy of a Fall.

Ava Cahen. The general delegate of Critics’ Week since 2022, described the selection as “a breath of fresh air,” emphasizing the section’s mission to support emerging filmmakers and actors as they take their first steps in the industry. Cahen leads a selection committee that includes Chloé Caye, Marilou Duponchel, Laurent Hérin, Laura Pertuy, and Gautier Roos. The jury will be announced later.

Music and Sports Events in Paris During June 2026

Paris and Île-de-France will host a range of cultural and sporting events in June 2026, as outlined by Sortir à Paris, while the Fête de la Musique on June 21 will feature free concerts across the region, including in Hauts-de-Seine and Seine-Saint-Denis. The World Cup 2026 will also see France playing against Iraq on June 22, with fans expected to gather in bars and fan zones across the city.

As June 2026 brings a heatwave. The guide also offers tips for cooling down, including shaded terraces, air-conditioned cinemas, and swimming pools. With the music festival expected to draw large crowds, transportation adjustments and unlimited travel passes will be available for the event on June 21, according to a Korean-language article.

Transport Disruptions and Cultural Offerings

Public transport in Île-de-France will face disruptions in June due to ongoing construction projects. RATP and SNCF will implement schedule changes for RER E, RER D, and Line 12. A special unlimited travel pass for the Fête de la Musique is available to help attendees handle the expected congestion on June 21.

Across Île-de-France, from the Yvelines to the Hauts-de-Seine, cultural events will take place over the weekend of June 20–21, 2026. These include exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and temporary pop-up restaurants. The weekend offers opportunities for both city dwellers and suburbanites to explore new locations accessible by metro, RER, bus, or Transilien.