(9 Apr 2026) ASSOCIATED PRESS Paris - 9 April 2026 1. Cannes Festival Director Iris Knobloch and festival General Delegate Thierry Frémaux walking onto stage 2. SOUNDBITE (French) Iris Knobloch, director of Cannes Festival: "In this moment, bringing together films and artists from around the world is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Because when the world darkens, we lose our bearings. Showcasing films from all horizons is not a trivial act. It is defending what is most precious to humanity, its