The lineup for the main competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, set to open next month on the French Riviera, was unveiled on Thursday by festival director Thierry Fremaux. Among the 21 directors competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or are acclaimed filmmakers Asghar Farhadi of Iran, Pedro Almodóvar of Spain, and Andrey Zvyagintsev of Russia.

The official selection includes a notable international presence, with three films each from Japan and Spain. Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda, who previously won the Palme d’Or in 2018 for "Shoplifters," returns with a new entry, as does Romanian director Cristian Mungiu, whose latest work "Fjord," set in Norway and starring Renate Reinsve, is also among the contenders.

Despite the global focus, major Hollywood studios have a diminished presence this year, with fewer American productions in competition. Fremaux acknowledged the limited studio-backed entries but confirmed that the United States will still be represented, including the French-directed "Full Phil," starring Woody Harrelson and Kristen Stewart. Additionally, John Travolta will present his directorial debut, "Propeller One-Way Night Coach," which will screen out of competition, depicting a young boy’s journey during the golden age of aviation.

Outside the competition, the festival will feature an unexpected emphasis on football, showcasing documentaries centered on historic moments and figures such as legendary forward Eric Cantona and the 1986 World Cup match between England and Argentina, known for Diego Maradona’s infamous handball.

Highlighting this year’s selection, Fremaux pointed to the abundance of historical films and productions offering some relief from current global tensions. He commented on the contrasting needs portrayed in the festival’s offerings, noting that the Western world appears to seek gentleness and escapism through art, while countries in the Global South focus on themes of security, prosperity, and family care.

The festival will also honor significant contributions to cinema with the presentation of honorary Palme d’Or awards to Barbra Streisand, the renowned Hollywood and Broadway icon, and Peter Jackson, the New Zealand director celebrated for the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, known for works such as "Oldboy," has been appointed president of the jury responsible for selecting the Palme d’Or winner, which is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry after the Academy Awards.

Last year’s Palme d’Or was awarded to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for his thriller "It Was Just an Accident," amid ongoing geopolitical tensions that have increasingly intersected with European film festivals, particularly in regard to the conflict in the Middle East and Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Organizers continue to navigate these complexities as they celebrate international cinema.