Ten-year-old Rimu Kuwaki makes his acting debut in Hirokazu Kore-eda's Cannes competition entry Sheep in the Box, a near-future sci-fi drama about a grieving couple who welcome a humanoid child as a surrogate for their deceased son. The film premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival to a 3.5-minute standing ovation, with the audience on its feet before Kore-eda even reached the microphone. Kuwaki, who was chosen from over 200 auditionees, plays a robot replica of a dead child, and walked away from his very first film with a Cannes crowd already in his corner.

For a kid with almost zero acting experience, Kuwaki's instincts on set were sharp, and Kore-eda's methods deserve equal credit for that.

Rimu Kuwaki, who turned 10 during the festival, plays a humanoid replica of a dead child, chosen from over 200 auditionees despite having almost no formal acting training. The role required him to suppress every childlike impulse; crew members reminded him that robots do not sweat or eat sweets. Hirokazu Kore-eda's encouraging direction kept the atmosphere on set relaxed and fun, making the challenge feel manageable for the young newcomer.

Co-stars Haruka Ayase and Daigo Yamamoto play the grieving couple at the centre of the story, delivering performances so emotionally charged that Kuwaki himself admits they made his heart ache. The trio bonded off-camera over meals, baby photos, and shoulder massages, a preparation method that clearly translated on screen. Kuwaki has already told his family he plans to appear in three more films, which, for a debut this assured, sounds entirely believable.

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As Kuwaki maps out his future filmography, Hirokazu Kore-eda adds another Cannes chapter to a record that most directors can only dream about.

Hirokazu Kore-eda returns to Cannes for the first time since Monster claimed best screenplay and the Queer Palm in 2023. His festival relationship spans over two decades and seven selections, including the Palme d'Or for Shoplifters in 2018 and the Jury Prize for Like Father, Like Son in 2013. Sheep in the Box marks his first sci-fi venture, a notable departure from the intimate domestic dramas that built his global reputation.

Among the most enthusiastic applauders at the premiere was James Franco, on his feet from the final frame until Kore-eda reached the microphone. Critics have offered a measured verdict, praising the film's emotional ambition while flagging its subplots as narrative distractions. As Hollywood studios skipped Cannes 2026 altogether, Kore-eda filled the vacuum with a sci-fi AI drama entirely his own, and walked a ten-year-old newcomer straight into the spotlight.

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What are your thoughts on Rimu Kuwaki's debut and Hirokazu Kore-eda's Cannes reception? Let us know in the comments.