THE
FESTIVAL GUIDE WAiFF 2026

The Festival is approaching! Check out our guide to make sure you don't miss any of the various events. Whether you’re a longtime festival-goer or just passing through Cannes on April 21 and 22, find all the information you need to make the most of your experience!

Les Arcades Cinema

For All Audiences!

For two days, the Les Arcades cinema in Cannes will host screenings for the World A.I. Film Festival. On the program: the Official Selections, unreleased documentaries, a youth program, as well as demonstrations, discussions, and masterclasses.

Download the guide

LES ARCADES

Espace Miramar

The Festival’s Pro Talks!

Speakers from around the world are flocking to discuss AI and creativity. On April 21 and 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., roundtables and keynote speeches will take place at the Miramar Space, offering insights into the challenges facing the audiovisual industry in the age of AI.

Discover The Pro Talks

Panels & Keynotes

THE CEREMONIES

AT THE PALAIS DES FESTIVALS

TUESADAY 21 AVRIL – OPENING NIGHT

THÉÂTRE DEBUSSY– PALAIS DES FESTIVALS IN CANNES

The World AI Film Festival opens its new edition at the Théâtre Debussy in the Palais des Festivals with an exceptional evening dedicated to glamour, creativity, and innovation.

Following a VIP welcome, the traditional red carpet walk will bring together guests of honor, film industry figures, and international talents to launch the festival in style.

This opening ceremony will celebrate international WAIFFs, reflecting the event's truly global scope and the diverse perspectives shaping the cinema of tomorrow. Between speeches, artistic sequences, and moments of emotion, the evening will offer an immersive experience where images, music, and artificial intelligence converge.

A highlight of the evening will be a performance by the Seoul Symphony Orchestra, as part of the 140th anniversary of Franco-South Korean relations. Accompanied by Italian musicians, they will present an original creation blending music and AI, for a performance at the crossroads of cultures and technologies.

A vibrant and inspiring opening to set the tone for a festival focused on the future.

7:00pm :
DOORS OPEN

8:30pm :
LAUNCH OF THE CEREMONY*

*BY INVITATION ONLY.
(MORE INFORMATION AT DEPARTEMENT06.FR)

WEDNESDAY 22 AVRIL – AWARDS CEREMONY

THÉÂTRE DEBUSSY– PALAIS DES FESTIVALS IN CANNES

The awards ceremony for the World AI Film Festival brings this second edition to a close. After a warm welcome and a red carpet walk bringing together the jury and winners, the evening begins with a cinematic immersion before giving way to a celebration of talent.

Presided over by Jury President Agnès Jaoui, the ceremony will honor the most outstanding works through the presentation of awards, recognizing creativity, innovation, and excellence.

Punctuated by powerful moments and shared experiences, this evening celebrates the diversity of perspectives and the emergence of new forms of storytelling in the age of artificial intelligence.

6:30 pm :
DOORS OPEN

8:00 PM:
LAUNCH OF THE CEREMONY*

*BY INVITATION ONLY.
(MORE INFORMATION AT DEPARTEMENT06.FR)

Invitations at DEPARTEMENT06.FR

JW Marriott Cannes

VIP area

A VIP area, open to all accredited professionals, designed to shake up the usual meetings and make progress on new projects.