Cannes is ready to welcome some scream-worthy titles to the Fantastic Pavilion Gala Screenings, which are set to take place over May 12-18 at Cannes’ Marché du Film.
The section, spotlighting international genre filmmaking, will feature an abundance of “horror, elevated thrillers and dystopian narratives,” promised the organizers. It will open with “El Convento” and close with the psychological horror “House of Atreus.”
“With its 2026 edition, the section continues to position itself as a focused platform for elevated genre cinema, balancing arthouse sensibilities with clear commercial potential across global markets,” said Pablo Guisa Koestinger, executive director of the Fantastic Pavilion which is partnered by the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film .
He noted that this year’s selection “leans heavily into psychological and atmospheric horror,” with multiple projects exploring “grief, isolation and belief systems through high-concept frameworks.”
That includes “Hinter,” “The Endless,” “The Trail of the Wolf,” “Key of Bones” and “Last Chance Motel.”
The Fantastic Galas have evolved into a space “where emerging filmmakers stand alongside established voices, presenting work that balances artistic ambition with real market viability,” he added.
“These are films built to travel, to connect with audiences across territories and platforms, and to keep the conversation and the business around genre cinema growing and feeding each other.”
“What excites me most is what’s coming. The Fantastic Pavilion is already a place where projects are born, developed and pushed forward. Next year, I expect we’ll see several of them to make their way to the Galas. Last year we presented ‘The Turkish Coffee Table,’ the first true child of the Pavilion, and that’s just the beginning.”
The Galas are also, he stressed, “a product presented inside one of the world’s top film markets.”
“Every year, without exception, films that screen at the Fantastic Galas go on to sell better. That’s not a coincidence – it’s the ecosystem working exactly as it should,” said Pablo Guisa Koestinger.
A closer look at the titles:
May 12
“El Convento”
(Spain, Italy, Uruguay)
Directed by Ángel Manuel Chivite and Luis Galindo
Claiming the Opening Gala spot, this Spanish period horror-thriller follows two young women who enter a cloistered religious institution in 1750 and discover a dark secret connected to its leadership. Inspired by historical accounts and represented by Film Sharks, it creates “a tense, confined atmosphere focusing on themes of faith, imprisonment, and concealed identities.” Starring Ana Álvarez and Alfonsina Carrocio.
May 13
“Hinter”
(U.S.)
Directed by Britt Falardeau
Led by Deaf actor and comedian Harold Foxx and directed by Britt Falardeau, this horror blends “atmospheric genre elements with a character-driven approach, continuing the filmmaker’s exploration of psychological tension within contained environments.” Produced by Sostis Productions and Rocket Soul Studios.
‘Hinter’
Courtesy of Fantastic Pavilion
May 14
“The Endless”
(Mexico)
Directed by Fabián Archondo
Sold by AltaTensión, it shows a woman spiraling after personal loss who is admitted to a remote desert retreat that promises transformation, only for it to reveal ties to a secret cult. While it’s positioned as an elevated horror, the project combines “psychological breakdown with supernatural undertones.”
‘The Endless’
Courtesy of Fantastic Pavilion
May 15
“The Trail of the Wolf”
(Spain, Argentina)
Directed by Mª Ángeles Hernández
Set in a dystopian future shaped by climate collapse and authoritarian policies, the story follows a woman navigating familial trauma and societal decay, while a controversial vaccine begins to show lethal side effects decades after its rollout. The film is produced by Barcelona’s Mr. Miyagi Films.
‘The Trail of the Wolf’
Courtesy of Fantastic Pavilion
May 16
“Key of Bones”
(U.S.)
Directed by Tony Armer
When a waitress, a ghost tour guide and a tourist accidentally awaken a curse, the consequences are dire. Produced and directed by Tony Armer, this supernatural pirate horror merges maritime mythology with ghost-story elements, “targeting genre audiences with a more overtly commercial hook.” Also written by Armer.
‘Key of Bones’
Courtesy of Fantastic Pavilion
May 17
“Last Chance Motel”
(U.S.)
Directed by Danielle Harris and Scout Taylor-Compton
Shifting into neo-noir territory, it follows a newlywed couple whose dream wedding turns into a nightmare. It’s a contained thriller set against “a transient roadside backdrop, while maintaining the section’s emphasis on character-driven suspense.” Harris and Taylor-Compton also star.
‘Last Chance Motel’
Courtesy of Fantastic Pavilion
May 18
“House of Atreus”
(Spain)
After years away, Goio returns home for one night to care for his sick father – but this is no ordinary family reunion. Leaning into creature-driven horror, the film offers a “more traditional but visually stylized take on the genre.” Directed by David Hebrero (“Everyone Will Burn”) and produced by Garajonay Producciones, it’s represented in Cannes by Raabta International.
‘House of Atreus’
Courtesy of Fantastic Pavilion
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