The Cannes Film Market has proven to be a vibrant center for significant film acquisitions and premieres, with several notable titles creating substantial buzz and securing major distribution deals. This year, Netflix has made two strategic acquisitions, complementing Mubi's own impressive slate, collectively reflecting a dynamic and competitive market for diverse cinematic content.

Among the independent features garnering attention is the Karbi-language film “Love You Messi” from India’s Rura Rura Entertainment. This project has secured U.K.-based Hong Kong creative Hiu Man Chan as executive producer, who is tasked with overseeing the film’s international packaging, including global sales, festival strategy, distribution, and marketing outside India. Directed by Khanjan Kishore Nath and produced by Ranjit Teron, “Love You Messi” marks their second collaboration on a Karbi-language feature, following “Lost Path” (2025). The film is currently in production, with initial portions already filmed during football legend Lionel Messi’s visit to India last December.

The narrative of “Love You Messi” is set in a remote hilly village in Northeast India and revolves around eight-year-old Rang, a boy from the Karbi tribe with an unwavering passion for soccer, idolizing Messi. His dedication leads him to watch Messi’s matches on a neighbor’s television and meticulously collect every photograph of his hero. When Rang adopts an abandoned puppy, he names it Tung Tung, and the dog becomes his constant companion. The story takes a pivotal turn when Rang discovers Messi is scheduled to play a friendly match in Mumbai, thousands of kilometers from his village, initiating an extraordinary road trip for the young boy and his dog. Director Khanjan Kishore Nath clarified the film's deeper meaning, stating it's not solely about football or Messi. He describes it as "a disabled child’s passion and his longing to discover a world far beyond the boundaries of his small village. It is a story about love, care, humanity, and the courage to chase a dream against all odds." Nath further emphasizes his desire to tell this poignant story against the breathtaking landscapes of the Karbi Anglong district. Executive Producer Hiu Man Chan, a self-proclaimed Messi fan, believes the film will resonate strongly in Hong Kong, her hometown, due to its large fan base, and hopes her extensive European network and dynamic approach will significantly boost its international reach. Khanjan Kishore Nath is an acclaimed filmmaker, having been honored with the Rajat Kamal at the Indian National Film Awards in 2020 for his short fiction “Kachichinithu.” Filming for “Love You Messi” is anticipated to be completed by the end of the current year.

In other significant news from Cannes, Mubi has successfully acquired the North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s "Coward," a queer romantic drama that garnered one of the longest standing ovations among the competition lineup this year. Prior to this, Mubi had already secured international distribution rights for "Coward" across numerous territories, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. This film serves as Dhont’s eagerly awaited follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2022 hit, "Close," which earned an Oscar nomination for best international feature and was also acquired by Mubi for several regions. Dhont’s 2018 debut, "Girl," notably won the Camera d’Or after its premiere in Un Certain Regard at Cannes.

"Coward" is set amidst the harrowing backdrop of World War I, chronicling the journey of Pierre, a newly arrived soldier eager to prove himself (portrayed by Emmanuel Macchia in his debut film performance). Behind the front lines, Pierre encounters Francis (Valentin Campagne), who endeavors to uplift his comrades' spirits by orchestrating a theater show. Amidst the relentless violence, both men seek solace and temporary escapes from the brutal realities of war. Dhont has reunited with many of the creative talents from his previous successful features, "Girl" and "Close," including co-writer Angelo Tijssens, producer Michiel Dhont, cinematographer Frank van den Eeden, production designer Eve Martin, composer Valentin Hadjadj, editor Alain Dessauvage, and sound designer Yanna Soentjens. "Coward" is a collaborative production by The Reunion, Lumen, Topkapi Films & Versus (Opus), in co-production with several European entities. Distribution in Benelux is handled by Lumière, and in France by Diaphana Distribution, with The Match Factory managing international sales. Mubi's presence at Cannes extends to other notable films such as “Minotaur,” “Fatherland,” “Hope,” and “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.”

Netflix's strong showing at Cannes continued with its reported acquisition of Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo’s "La Bola Negra" (“The Black Ball”), with the deal estimated to be in the $5 million-range. This ambitious film, marking the Cannes competition debut for the filmmaking duo known as Los Javis, received an extraordinary 16-minute standing ovation at its premiere. Following the premiere, various prominent distributors, including Neon, A24, and Mubi, vied for the U.S. rights. Goodfellas is currently negotiating the international deal. This potential sale represents the second major bidding war at this year’s festival, following Jordan Firstman’s “Club Kid,” which was acquired by A24 for $17 million.

"The Black Ball" is a queer epic that spans 85 years of Spanish history, drawing inspiration from an unfinished fragment by Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca. The film is a contender for both the prestigious Palme d’Or and the Queer Palm. Ambrossi and Calvo co-wrote the screenplay with playwright Alberto Conejero. The narrative intricately weaves together the interconnected lives of three gay men across three distinct historical periods—1932, 1937, and 2017—exploring profound themes of desire, loss, and the legacy one generation passes to the next. Its title, "The Black Ball," metaphorically refers to an ancient form of social rejection, specifically a black ball cast into a voting urn to deny a young gay man entry into a Granada club. The stellar cast includes Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente in his screen debut, alongside Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, and Lola Dueñas, with Glenn Close in a supporting role and Penélope Cruz making an extended cameo. Variety’s Guy Lodge lauded the film for its "florid formal approach and heart-on-sleeve emotionalism," predicting it will win fans globally within and beyond the LGBT arthouse market. "The Black Ball" is a co-production involving Movistar Plus+, Los Javis’ Suma Content Films, Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar’s El Deseo, and Le Pacte. Netflix's pursuit of this film aligns with its established track record of backing significant Spanish-language awards contenders, such as Jacques Audiard’s "Emilia Perez" and Alfonso Cuaron’s "Roma."

Further strengthening its presence at the festival, Netflix is reportedly nearing another acquisition, this time for Marie Kreutzer’s "Gentle Monster." This film, also a Cannes debut, has already generated early awards buzz, notably for its star, Léa Seydoux. Seydoux is a prominent figure at this year's Cannes, with "Gentle Monster" being one of two films she has in competition; she also stars in Arthur Harari’s science-fiction film "The Unknown." Variety’s review describes Seydoux as "ably embody[ing] the anguish of a wife and mother reeling from the revelation of her partner’s involvement in a child pornography ring," highlighting the harrowing depth of the drama. MK2 Films is representing the filmmakers for "Gentle Monster."