Lukas Dhont’s ‘Coward’ lands major deal with Mubi at Cannes film festival

Mubi has acquired the North American rights to Coward, the latest feature from Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont, following strong early reactions at the Cannes Film Festival.

According to Variety, the queer romantic drama has emerged as one of the buzziest titles in this year’s Cannes competition lineup, earning one of the festival’s longest standing ovations. Mubi had already secured rights to the film across several international territories, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Spain, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, before expanding the deal to North America.

Coward marks Dhont’s first feature since Close, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature. His debut film, Girl, previously won the Camera d’Or at Cannes.

Set during World War I, Coward follows Pierre, a young soldier newly arrived at the front lines, who forms a connection with Francis, another soldier attempting to raise morale through theatre performances behind the lines. As the violence of war continues around them, the pair search for brief moments of escape and emotional connection.

The film stars Emmanuel Macchia in his feature debut alongside Valentin Campagne. Dhont also reunited with several longtime collaborators from Girl and Close, including co-writer Angelo Tijssens and cinematographer Frank van den Eeden.

The acquisition further strengthens Mubi’s growing Cannes presence, with the distributor also backing several other festival titles this year. Industry attention surrounding Coward has continued to build as critics and buyers respond positively to Dhont’s latest project.