Cannes 2026: La Gradiva by Marine Atlan crowned at La Semaine de la Critique
The French director’s first feature film was one of the press’ favorites on the Croisette this year.
We are reaching the end of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and the prices are starting to fall, while waiting for the closing ceremony which will be held on Saturday evening.
The 2026 Critics’ Week Grand Prize was awarded to La Gradivathe first feature film by former cinematographer Marine Atlan. A consecration for the young filmmaker, in this parallel section of the Cannes Festival, dedicated since its creation to the discovery of new filmmakers and new writings, open to first and second films.
Presented as a bold and sensory work, La Gradiva (announced for a theatrical release on November 4) stands out as one of the notable titles of this edition. It follows a group of French high school students on a school trip to Naples, who come to discover the ruins of Pompeii and the bodies petrified by Vesuvius. But very quickly, the experience changes: a collective dizziness sets in, emotions overflow, and the adolescents find themselves gradually overwhelmed by desire and anger, until they lose their footing. A 2.5 hour fresco, the film explores a dialogue between sacred and profane, while revealing a young cast unknown to the general public, hailed for its accuracy, its truth and its intensity.
The complete winners of Critics’ Week 2026
- AMI Paris Grand Prix: La Gradiva by Marine Atlan
- Louis Roederer Foundation Prize for Revelation: Aina Clotet for Viva (Alive)
- Gan Foundation Prize for broadcasting: Pyramide Distribution for The Second Girl by Zou Jing
- SACD Prize: Blerta Basholli & Nicole Borgeat for Dua
- Canal+ Short Film Prize: Vaterland oder Ein Bule Namens Yanto by Berthold Wahjudi
- Sony Discovery Prize for short film: Skinny Ankle Boots by Romain F. Dubois
