Lyon’s Lumière Festival opens with Coen brothers set to receive award
The 18th edition runs until 18 October, with nearly 450 screenings planned at around fifty venues across the Lyon metropolitan area.
A large crowd attended the opening evening of Lyon’s 18th Lumière Festival, which will honour filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen. The brothers are due to receive the Lumière Award on 16 October 2026 during the nine-day event.
The programme features retrospectives of the Coens, Norman Jewison and Ettore Scola, alongside events devoted to directors Tsui Hark and Todd Haynes. An overnight screening programme celebrating the Coens’ films is scheduled at the Halle Tony Garnier on 17 October.
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is attending to present Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The restored version will receive its first screening in France. Another restoration, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, is scheduled for 15 October with accompaniment by a symphony orchestra.
Opening-night guests also recalled their earliest encounters with cinema. Haynes said he first saw Mary Poppins at three and that it continued to influence his imagination. Tsui Hark recalled seeing Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo alone at 14, citing its influence on his career.
Restored films, talks and special screenings form part of the festival’s focus on cinema heritage. Events take place across the Lyon metropolitan area until 18 October.
