Clémence Poésy's team is framing her directorial debut as a natural artistic evolution—a celebrated actress finally getting the chance to tell stories on her own terms, with 'Vanda' positioned as a deeply personal exploration of womanhood and autonomy.
Insiders note that Poésy has been quietly building toward this moment for years. Sources close to the project say she's been selective about accepting acting roles specifically to make time for developing her directorial vision—a calculated pivot that could pay off majorly if 'Vanda' lands at a major festival.
European Film Promotion's Producers on the Move program showcased 18 projects at Cannes on May 13, 2026. Clémence Poésy's 'Vanda' is her first feature as director, produced by France's Julie Billy, and follows a mother whose life destabilizes when her son's absent father resurfaces.
Clémence Poésy has spent years in front of the camera—now she's ready to command it from behind. If 'Vanda' hits the mark at Cannes, expect a rapid ascent up the festival circuit.
CANNES — Clémence Poésy is making her directorial debut, and the film industry is watching closely. The French actress, best known for roles in 'Harry Potter,' 'The Great Gatsby,' and Netflix's 'Lupin,' will premiere 'Vanda' as part of European Film Promotion's Producers on the Move program at this year's Cannes Film Festival—a prestigious platform that spotlights emerging European talent. European Film Promotion invited all 18 participants to pitch their upcoming projects to Variety, with Poésy's film standing out among the lineup.
Produced by France's Julie Billy, 'Vanda' follows a fiercely independent mother whose carefully constructed life begins to collapse when her 7-year-old son's absent father suddenly returns. Described as being in the vein of Andrea Arnold's 'Fish Tank' and Éric Gravel's 'À plein temps,' the project centers on a woman's fight for independence—a theme that resonates given Poésy's own reputation for choosing complex, non-traditional roles throughout her career. The Producers on the Move program has long served as a launchpad for European producers building their first projects under industry mentorship.
This year's cohort represents 18 countries across the continent, from Austria to Sweden, with each project reflecting local stories with international potential. Poésy's inclusion marks one of the higher-profile directorial transitions in recent memory—actresses turned directors is nothing new in cinema, but the specificity of her vision suggests this isn't a vanity project. Other notable pitches at Cannes include Denmark's 'The von Sydow Murders' from director Isabella Eklöf, exploring a 1932 true crime scandal through the eyes of a young woman; Cyprus's 'Excavators,' examining political memory and displacement following the 1974 Turkish invasion; and Ireland's 'Mondegreen,' a psychological thriller about an ex-stalker who follows a touring musician to Canada.
The diversity of tone—ranging from animated features to chamber plays to geopolitical thrillers—underscores how European cinema continues to push boundaries that Hollywood often avoids. For Poésy, though, the stakes feel personal. She's spent two decades as a respected actress, but 'Vanda' represents something different: full creative control over a story she clearly believes in. With Cannes serving as the launchpad and festival buzz already building, industry observers will be watching to see whether her transition from performer to filmmaker lands with the same intensity she's brought to her on-screen work.
