She is the revelation of the moment! Eva Huault impresses in Shana at the cinema this Wednesday

Remember her name! Her name is Eva Huault, and she is one of the must-see actresses of the moment. Recently seen in the series "Privilèges" and "L'affaire Laura Stern", she is now the headliner of "Shana", presented at the Cannes Film Festival 2026.

The series Privilèges and L'affaire Laura Stern, soon Surveillant on Disney+... In 2026, you are likely to spot Eva Huault's face on screen.

The actress is also in high demand in cinema, from Des preuves d'amour last year to Ni vue, ni connue this fall. And this Wednesday, she stars in Shana by Lila Pinell, a role tailor-made for this strong personality that we will have to count on!

AlloCiné had the opportunity to talk with her on the Croisette as she was preparing to unveil Shana at the Quinzaine des cinéastes. Meeting!

AlloCiné: How would you present the film to entice viewers to discover it?

Eva Huault, actress: Shana is the portrait of a modern young woman today. She is difficult to define because she doesn’t fit into any box—or rather, she fits into a thousand boxes at once, like most human beings. You can’t summarize her in a single character trait; she has many facets.

The film tells the story of this girl who is estranged from her family, searching for her place and identity. Upon her grandmother's death, she inherits a family ring that is supposed to protect her from the evil eye. But Shana finds herself in such precarious circumstances that she decides to sell this piece of jewelry, which will trigger a series of major troubles. It’s the portrait of a resourceful person fighting to stay afloat, a struggle that many people can relate to today.

"It's the portrait of a resourceful person fighting to stay afloat"

Is her personality close to yours?

Completely. I put a lot of myself into this character. Sometimes, at the end of a shooting day, I had to make an effort to detach myself from her and remember the boundary between Shana and Eva. However, her story is not mine; it remains fiction.

I think the entire cast infused a lot of their own truth into the film. That’s why the result is so organic, almost bordering on documentary.

An eclectic cast

Is the cast around you composed of professionals or new faces?

It’s a mix of both. For example, Noémie Lvovsky is a tremendous actress; she is incredible. Without wanting to sound jaded, as my career is just beginning, she is the best acting partner I have had so far. She never cheats; she is of absolute sincerity in front of you. Humanly, she is a woman of great intelligence and beautiful madness that I adore.

Alongside her, there are talented actors we have seen little of on screen, and others who had never acted in their lives and who turn out to be just as impressive.

What are the first responses you have received about the film?

As the Cannes setting is quite intimate, everyone crosses paths and sees the films. I received quite a few responses this morning, just after the screening. It’s really nice. It’s still a bit intimidating because I’m not used to it, but it’s very touching.

What comments do you hear most often?

This morning, a spectator came up to me and said spontaneously: "It feels like you are my friend; I feel like I already know you." I replied, laughing, not to worry, that it was mutual! This kind of feedback touches me deeply. Sometimes, I don’t even know what to say because it’s so strong.

It’s a character that evokes immediate empathy and closeness. People will naturally want to come talk to you; it creates a very direct access...

That’s exactly what I love. In everyday life, I am a very accessible person, so it’s great if that comes across on screen. That’s what we tried to build with the entire cast. If the audience feels this closeness, our bet is won. And I think it will please Lila just as much.

When watching you on screen and listening to you, one immediately thinks of a particular actress: Béatrice Dalle. You have that same naturalness, that raw authenticity. What does that make you feel?

It’s a huge compliment; it touches me a lot! I love that woman, her work, and her mentality. She is so whole. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to her because she is unique, but receiving this compliment really warms my heart. I have never met her, but it would be a dream.

Are there any of her films that particularly marked or inspired you?

To be completely honest, I am very lacking in cinema knowledge. I mostly watch big productions like Batman or Spider-Man. I am just starting to refine my cinematic culture. Recently, I discovered Jim Jarmusch's cinema, and I know she worked with him (notably in Night on Earth). I’m not ashamed to say that I still have a lot to learn. This is my job now, and I want to invest myself fully to enrich myself intellectually.

Meeting Lila and beginnings in cinema

You have known Lila Pinell, the director, for a very long time. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, since I was 8 or 9 years old. Originally, we met by chance at a summer camp where she was filming a documentary. Ten years later, she contacted me via Facebook to offer me a role in her short film, Le Roi David.

The feature film Shana is a continuation of this adventure. This project literally changed my life. I had never considered making films; the question had never even arisen. On one hand, it’s almost a logical continuation because as a child, I loved to dress up and invent stories. But Lila saw something in me that I hadn’t suspected. I am extremely grateful to her.

Shana is not your first project. You have also appeared in several series, including L'affaire Laura Stern, which reached a wide audience. What memory do you have of it?

I have been lucky to participate in very varied projects. In the dramatic series L'affaire Laura Stern by Hakim Isker, I played a victim of domestic violence. The project opens with my testimony during a support group. It was a very intense and emotionally heavy role. To prepare, I met women within associations; their stories were heartbreaking, and I often ended up in tears. It’s a necessary series.

Conversely, I just filmed in a very humorous series for Disney+, Surveillant, which will be released soon. The cast is incredible: Jean-Pascal Zadi, Audrey Lamy, Benjamin Tranié, Ramzy, François Damiens, and Delphine Baril, whom I admire a lot. The pace of series is faster than that of cinema; you have to be effective right away, but I have a lot of fun in both genres.

I still have a hard time realizing that this is my job and that I am paid to live my passion. After all, it remains a real work of composition. I think of actors like Karim Leklou who physically transform for a role. I am thirsty for work and challenges; I want to learn to slip into the skin of characters radically different from me.

Her projects and desires for the future

You also acted in the series Privilèges, alongside Manon Bresch and Melvil Poupaud, which takes place in the world of luxury hotels. It’s a nice nod to the setting of the Cannes palaces surrounding us...

Absolutely! It was a great experience. Manon Bresch is a wonderful actress whom I actually knew since childhood; it was fun to find ourselves on set. This luxury universe also resonates, in a way, with the themes of Shana and the world of jewelry.

What can we wish you for the future? Do you want to take on roles that are against type?

Yes, absolutely. I would love to portray very strict, cold, or authoritative women. Roles where I would have to abandon my usual codes, my fake nails, for example. I am well aware of the image I project, of my way of speaking, or the remarks that can be made about my appearance and my injections. I’m not naive. But acting remains a work of metamorphosis. I am young, I have everything to learn, and the future will tell if I am capable of it. We’ll see!

Shared by Brigitte Baronnet at the Cannes Film Festival 2026

Shana by Lila Pinell is in cinemas this Wednesday, June 17, 2026.