Julianne Moore to Receive Prestigious 2026 Women in Motion Award at Cannes Film Festival

Julianne Moore will receive the 2026 Women in Motion Award at the Cannes Film Festival, presented by Kering and the Festival de Cannes. The annual ceremony, held this year on May 17, will honor Moore’s contributions to cinema and her commitment to advancing gender equality in the film industry.

In a statement released on Thursday, Moore expressed her gratitude:

"I’m genuinely grateful for this recognition from Kering and the Festival de Cannes. Being part of Women in Motion’s legacy is incredibly meaningful to me. I’ve always believed that visibility matters, that the stories we choose to tell can widen the space for women, and for a richer diversity of voices, both on screen and behind the camera. Continuing to work together to amplify female and diverse voices and to support the next generation of creators helps build a cinema that is more open, more representative, while driving real change."

About the Women in Motion Award

The Women in Motion Award, established in 2015, celebrates women in the arts who have made significant contributions to their artform and society. Moore’s recognition follows last year’s honoree, Nicole Kidman. Previous recipients include:

• Donna Langley
• Michelle Yeoh
• Viola Davis
• Isabelle Huppert
• Jane Fonda (the first recipient)

The award recognizes Moore’s transformative impact on cinema, with Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch stating:

"Julianne Moore does not use cinema to reassure. For 40 years, she has chosen characters who destabilize, who suffer without resolution, who refuse easy sympathy and in doing so, she has claimed territory on screen that did not exist before she walked into it. The Women in Motion Award recognizes not only what she has achieved, but what she has made possible for every actress who comes after her."

Kering Chairman François-Henri Pinault added:

"Julianne Moore fully embodies the spirit of Women In Motion. Through the consistency of her artistic choices, the depth and complexity she brings to her performances, and her longstanding dedication to advancing meaningful representation both on and off screen, she has helped redefine what it means to be a leading woman in cinema. Her career and her commitment clearly mirror the values Women in Motion has championed since its inception."

Emerging Talent Award Honors Margherita Spampinato

The 2026 Women in Motion Awards will also recognize filmmaker Margherita Spampinato, who will receive the Emerging Talent Award. This honor is given to first-time female feature filmmakers, with Spampinato selected for her 2025 debut film, "Gioia Mia."

Spampinato’s predecessor, Marianna Brennand, chose this year’s recipient. The award includes a €50,000 grant to support Spampinato’s sophomore feature. She shared her thoughts on the recognition:

"I am grateful and happy to receive the 2026 Women In Motion Emerging Talent Award, and it is a great honor to receive it from Marianna Brennand, a director I deeply admire. This award moves me because it supports the creativity and freedom of new female voices in cinema and the arts around the world."