James Franco Makes Third Consecutive Cannes Appearance With Izabel Pakzad

James Franco stepped onto the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the third consecutive year, this time bringing longtime girlfriend Izabel Pakzad to the opening ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, in Cannes, France.

The 48-year-old actor's return to the festival represents a significant milestone in his career trajectory. Franco previously attended Cannes in 2013 to promote As I Lay Dying, a film he directed, co-wrote, and starred in. Following that appearance, he remained absent from the festival for 11 years amid various accusations of sexual misconduct and behavioral allegations.

His recent career resurgence has brought him back into the spotlight. Franco appeared in the Italian film Hey Joe, which received limited theatrical release earlier this year, and is set to portray Fidel Castro in the forthcoming film Castro's Daughter.

Franco and Pakzad have made the festival a regular stop in their calendar, having attended together in both 2024 and 2025. At Tuesday's ceremony, the couple radiated elegance in coordinated black-tie attire, posing together for photographers throughout the evening. Franco wore a Giorgio Armani tuxedo for the occasion.

The appearance underscores Franco's continued presence at one of cinema's most prestigious annual gatherings.