Cannes Film Festival awards joint Best Actress prize to Tao Okamoto and Virginie Efira

Tao Okamoto and Virginie Efira have jointly won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in France, according to reports from NHK News Japan. The announcement was made on 24 May 2026, concluding a competition that saw the two actresses recognised for their performances in the same production.

The award was presented for their roles in the film "Suddenly Becomes Unwell", originally titled "Kyū ni gū ga waruku naru". The film was directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who has previously established a significant presence in international cinema, having won the Best Director prize at the same festival in 2022 for "Drive My Car".

This outcome represents a historic shift in the festival's history. It marks the first time a Japanese actress has received the Best Actress award at Cannes. While Japanese filmmakers have achieved recognition in other categories, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, no Japanese performer had previously secured this specific acting honour.

The decision to award the prize jointly suggests a split decision by the jury, although the specific rationale for sharing the award between Okamoto and Efira was not detailed in the source material. The film was part of the competition lineup at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's most prestigious cultural events.

The recognition highlights the growing influence of Japanese cinema on the global stage. Hamaguchi’s direction of "Suddenly Becomes Unwell" has now resulted in a dual acting accolade, further cementing the production's significance within the international film community.