Mubi acquires worldwide rights to Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Competition entry Coward, the Oscar-nominated director’s anticipated follow-up to Close.
- May 7, 2026
AceShowbiz - Mubi has secured the rights to Coward, the latest film from acclaimed Belgian director Lukas Dhont, across multiple international territories. The acquisition covers major markets such as the U.K., Germany, Australia/New Zealand, as well as Latin America, the company announced on Wednesday.
In addition to these territories, Mubi also obtained distribution rights for Ireland, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. The streaming and distribution platform has stated it will reveal its detailed release strategy for Coward in the near future.
Coward is set to have its world premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival later this month. The film’s international sales are being managed by The Match Factory, which is also handling global sales for the project.
This film marks Lukas Dhont’s follow-up to his Oscar-nominated feature Close (2022). Coward is a period drama situated in the trenches of World War I. It stars Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne as Pierre and Francis, two young soldiers who meet on the front lines and attempt to escape the brutal realities of war by staging a theater production.
The screenplay reunites Dhont with his frequent collaborator Angelo Tijssens, who co-wrote the film alongside him, as well as with his brother Michiel Dhont, who is producing. The production is a collaboration between Reunion, Lumen, Topkapi Films & Versus (Opus), in co-production with France 2 Cinéma, VTM, RTBF, Proximus, BeTV, and Orange.
Mubi previously handled multiple international territories for Close, which was released in the U.S. by A24. Ahead of Cannes, Mubi also acquired distribution rights for the sci-fi action thriller Hope, directed by South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-Ji (The Wailing, The Yellow Sea). The North American rights for Hope are held by Neon, which also controls the U.K. and Australian distribution.
Furthermore, Mubi is a producer on two other films premiering at Cannes this year: Pawe? Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, competing in the main selection, and Jane Schoenbrun’s highly anticipated Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, which will open the Un Certain Regard section.
As the Cannes Film Festival approaches, Mubi is reinforcing its presence with a mix of acquisitions and productions, emphasizing its commitment to high-profile international cinema and auteur-driven projects.
