The 26th Cannes Film Festival was held from 10 to 25 May 1973. The Grand Prix du Festival International du Film went to Scarecrow by Jerry Schatzberg and The Hireling by Alan Bridges. At this festival two new non-competitive sections were added: 'Étude et documents' and 'Perspectives du Cinéma Français' (which was started by the French Film Directors' Society and ran until 1991). The festival opened with Godspell, directed by David Greene and closed with Lady Sings the Blues, directed by Sidney J. Furie. Swastika, a documentary by Philippe Mora, got negative reactions and caused disturbance among audience by showing Adolf Hitler's daily and social life. The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky created controversy at the festival due to its depiction of extreme violence.

Jury

The following people were appointed as the Jury of the 1973 feature film competition: Feature films Short films

Official selection

In competition - Feature film

The following feature films competed for the Grand Prix International du Festival:

Films out of competition

The following films were selected to be screened out of competition:

Short film competition

The following short films competed for the Short Film Palme d'Or:

Parallel sections

International Critics' Week

The following feature films were screened for the 12th International Critics' Week (12e Semaine de la Critique):

Directors' Fortnight

The following films were screened for the 1973 Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalizateurs):

Awards

Official awards

The following films and people received the 1973 Official selection awards: Short films

Independent awards

FIPRESCI Commission Supérieure Technique OCIC Award

Media