EXCLUSIVE: Viola Davis Is This Year’s L’Oréal Paris Juror in Cannes

PARIS — Viola Davis is set to shine a light on women directors, and will serve as juror for this year’s Lights on Women’s Worth award.

The L’Oréal Paris prize is marking its fifth year at the Cannes Film Festival, where it honors a female director from the Short Film category and the La Cinef student film category.

Both are part of the official selection.

Davis, one of the few stars who have won a coveted EGOT — an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award — will help select this year’s winner. She follows Elle Fanning, who served as juror last year, and Kate Winslet, who inaugurated the competition and served for three consecutive years.

“Supporting women filmmakers isn’t just about creating opportunities — it’s about making sure the stories that shape our world reflect the voices, experiences and brilliance of all people,” Davis said.

She will watch all the eligible films and select the top prize.

“I can’t wait to experience the powerful and inspiring films in this year’s Cannes Short Film and La Cinef selection,” she added.

“For L’Oréal Paris, the Festival de Cannes is a celebration of cinema and an opportunity to amplify women’s voices, and foster a more diverse filmmaking community,” said L’Oréal Paris global brand president Delphine Viguier-Hovasse.

“As we mark five years of the L’Oréal Paris Lights on Women’s Worth award, we remain committed to driving long term. I’m proud that this award continues to uplift emerging talents, in the environment of the most powerful film festival, paving the way for a more inclusive future in cinema,” she added.

The Lights on Women’s Worth award ceremony will take place on May 23. L’Oréal Paris will honor the anniversaries of its longtime ambassadors Eva Longoria, marking 20 years with the brand, and Andie MacDowell, who has been a spokesperson for 40 years, at a gala dinner on May 14.

The Cannes Film Festival will run from May 13 to 24.