Elle Fanning is starting 2026 with a fresh focus: staying present and avoiding overthinking. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the 27-year-old actress said she’s “trying to stay more present” and avoid spiraling into the future too much.
The star recently received the International Star Award for her ensemble work in the film Sentimental Value, which has struck a deep emotional chord with audiences. “People have come out of the theater and said that they hadn’t talked to their parents in a long time, and they finally talked to [them] after just seeing our film,” Fanning shared.
In addition to her award-winning work, Fanning teased her role as Effie Trinket in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. She expressed excitement about the film’s costumes and immersive world, revealing she has “a lot of selfies on my phone” from the set.
A longtime fan of the Hunger Games universe, Fanning said revisiting Panem feels special. “I love Panem … The movies are very comforting to me. They’re such a great plane watch … just watch them all back to back,” she said.
With 2026 underway, Fanning is embracing a balance between career milestones and personal growth, choosing to live fully in the moment while exploring exciting new projects.
