Cannes Film Nights 2026 returns to Louvre Abu Dhabi

Film enthusiasts in the United Arab Emirates are set to enjoy a new edition of Cannes Film Nights 2026 as Louvre Abu Dhabi prepares to host five international film screenings from May 12 to 16.

Organised in partnership with Institut français in the United Arab Emirates, the annual programme coincides with the opening of the Cannes Film Festival and brings a selection of acclaimed international films to audiences in Abu Dhabi.

The screenings will take place at the museum’s auditorium over five consecutive evenings, showcasing a mix of literary adaptations, contemporary dramas, restored classics and animated features selected from the Cannes archive.

The programme opens with The Count of Monte Cristo, a modern adaptation of the classic novel following Edmond Dantès and his story of betrayal and revenge.

Japanese drama Sweet Bean will screen on the second evening, exploring themes of loneliness, friendship and human connection.

Audiences will also have the opportunity to watch Said Effendi, a restored Arab classic centred on social and cultural transformation in Baghdad through the life of a schoolteacher.

The lineup also includes Sentimental Value, a family-focused drama examining relationships and memory, while the programme concludes with Flow, an internationally recognised animated film following a black cat navigating a flooded world.

According to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the event aims to celebrate cinematic storytelling and offer UAE audiences the chance to experience internationally acclaimed films on the big screen.

All screenings will begin at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm at the museum auditorium. Tickets are priced at Dh30.