Hannah Einbinder: Most people experience shame and discomfort when it comes to sex

At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, American actress and comedian Hannah Einbinder was the first guest at Kering’s talks, part of the Women In Motion program that gives voice to women making a difference in the cultural industry.

When she entered the Kering suite, now located at the Carlton Cannes, she seemed hesitant. Einbinder is not used to being in the spotlight, under the sun, and the Cannes spotlight. However, she is no stranger to addressing an audience: the 30-year-old Californian, who started with stand-up comedy, was later recognized as one of the young American comedians to watch. Awarded an Emmy Award in 2025 for the series “Hacks,” she is participating in the 79th Cannes Film Festival to present “Teenage sex and death at Camp Miasma,” a queer horror comedy by Jane Shoenbrun, where she acts alongside Gillian Anderson.

The day after the film’s presentation, which opened the Un Certain Regard section on May 13, Hannah Einbinder was the guest at the first of the traditional talks initiated by Kering as part of its Women In Motion program, showcasing women offering new perspectives in culture. After posing for photographers, she spoke about the standing ovation she received after the screening. It was the first of her career: “I take advantage of everything that happens to me here,” she confessed. “Yesterday, I told Jane that these are the kind of moments we will remember in 20 years. I often do this: imagine a scene as if it already belonged to the past helps me to better live the present moment… Can you tell that I smoked a lot of weed in high school?”

Hannah Einbinder has elegant humor and irreverence that hits the mark. She uses her spirit to support causes and ideas close to her heart. Describing “Teenage sex and death at Camp Miasma” as an “ode to a marginalized trans and sapphic community,” the film tells the story of a young filmmaker who, tasked with remaking a horror film, becomes obsessed with the mysterious actress who portrayed the “final girl” in the original work. Anderson lends her mysterious aura and immense class to this character. Einbinder finds inspiration in Anderson’s meticulous approach to her work, emphasizing the importance of portraying sexuality accurately.

For Einbinder, “Teenage sex and death at Camp Miasma” represents a new movement in American cinema. She values working with intimacy coordinators, women, and queer individuals sharing their experiences in the industry. She believes that radical responses are necessary in the current era, and the film reflects this in many ways.

In the future, after the final episodes of “Hacks” air in late May, Einbinder plans to continue her path in cinema. She hopes to explore different genres like two of her idols, Robin Williams and Jim Carrey, who seamlessly transition between various roles, guided by extreme freedom.