The program recognizes both established and emerging voices advancing the role of women in cinema
Kering and the Festival de Cannes will present the 2026 Women In Motion Award to Julianne Moore during the official ceremony at the Festival, alongside the Women In Motion Emerging Talent Award, which has been awarded to director Margherita Spampinato. The initiative, established in 2015, highlights female artists whose work contributes to greater representation and evolving narratives within the film industry.
Moore, an Academy Award, Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA-winning actor, has built a career defined by a wide range of roles across film and television, including Still Alice, Far From Heaven, The Hours, and The Kids Are All Right. Her work has been recognized across major international festivals, where she became the first American woman to receive top acting honors in Berlin, Venice, and Cannes.
“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,” said François-Henri Pinault, Chairman of Kering.
“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,” Moore said.
Alongside Moore, the Emerging Talent Award was presented to Margherita Spampinato for her debut feature Gioia Mia (in English, Sweetheart), which reflects a new generation of filmmakers shaping contemporary cinema. The award includes a €50,000 grant to support the development of her next project and is part of the program’s focus on early-career directors.
“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,” said Spampinato.
The Emerging Talent Award continues its model of peer recognition, with Spampinato selected by 2025 recipient Marianna Brennand. Brennand noted: “Margherita is a flawless storyteller. She has such a unique, precise way of turning everyday moments into something magical. I loved how much empathy she has for her characters.”
Through both awards, Women In Motion maintains its dual focus on honoring established figures and supporting emerging talent, reinforcing its role in promoting gender equality and long-term development within the global film industry.