James Franco and his partner, Izabel Pakzad, graced the red carpet at the opening night ceremony of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on 12 May 2026. The couple, who have enjoyed a relationship since 2017, captured the attention of onlookers as they attended the festival, which is renowned in the film industry for showcasing a plethora of cinematic talent.
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The 48-year-old Franco and his 30-year-old girlfriend were present for the screening of the film “The Electric Kiss”. Amid the bustling atmosphere of the festival, Franco was seen interacting with fans and engaging with fellow actor Diego Luna prior to the screening, as reported by industry publication Variety.
Franco has a history with the Cannes Film Festival, having previously been featured in works screened there, including “As I Lay Dying” in 2013, which he both wrote and directed, as well as the animated film “The Little Prince” in 2015. He has also made appearances at Cannes during previous years, attending both the 2024 and 2025 festivals.
Pakzad, an accomplished actress, filmmaker, and recent collaborator of Franco, has built her own career in the entertainment industry since 2019. She notably appeared in an episode of Franco’s HBO series “The Deuce” and went on to direct and star in her film “Find Your Friends,” which is set for release on streaming platform Shudder on 12 June.
The couple’s relationship has persisted despite Franco’s tumultuous past, which included allegations of inappropriate behaviour. In 2018, he faced accusations from five women—four of whom were his former acting students. Franco reached a settlement in 2021 with two of these individuals and has kept a relatively low profile in the industry since then.
In a recent interview, Franco candidly addressed the personal challenges he faced following those allegations. He expressed that his struggles with infidelity in past relationships impeded his ability to build a deeper personal life. Franco described how his connection with Pakzad has transformed his perspective, stating, “I was just too scared, really … to have any sort of real intimacy with anyone.”
In an interview conducted in 2024, Franco conveyed that he felt he had moved beyond the controversies that had affected his career, remarking, “Being told you’re bad is painful… But ultimately, that’s kind of what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.” He also reflected on his previous inability to cultivate personal relationships, which he attributes to a deep entanglement between his personal and professional lives.
Franco’s career continues to evolve with a selection of new projects. In 2024, he appeared in the films “The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure” and “Hey Joe”. More recently, he featured in “Squali” and “Bunny-Man”. Notably, he is set to star alongside prominent actors including Tiffany Haddish and Christopher Meloni in an upcoming comedy titled “Toad”.
As the Cannes Film Festival unfolds, which is scheduled to run until 23 May, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on both emerging talents and established figures in the industry, including Franco and Pakzad. Their presence at such a significant event adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing narrative of Franco’s career and personal transformation. The festival serves as a platform for creativity and reinvention, showcasing not only the cinematic arts but also the personal stories of those behind the scenes.