The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is set to take place from May 13 to May 24, 2025, in the glamorous city of Cannes, France. This prestigious international event, held annually since 1946, remains one of the most important platforms for celebrating global cinema, bringing together filmmakers, actors, critics, and cinephiles from around the world.
Key Highlights of Cannes 2025
Main Competition Jury President: French actress Juliette Binoche will preside over the main competition jury. Binoche is a Cannes regular and a celebrated actress who won Best Actress at Cannes in 2010 for Copie conforme by Abbas Kiarostami.
Festival Host: French actor Laurent Lafitte will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Opening Film: The festival will open with the French comedy Bye Bye directed by Amélie Bonnin.
Honorary Palme d’Or: Legendary American actor and filmmaker Robert De Niro will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or during the opening ceremony.
Location: The festival’s main events will be held at the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès on the Croisette in Cannes, easily accessible from Nice airport and local transport.
Un Certain Regard Section
A vital part of the festival, the Un Certain Regard section, focuses on showcasing bold, innovative, and discovery films by young and emerging directors. This year, the Un Certain Regard jury will be presided over by British director, screenwriter, and cinematographer Molly Manning Walker, known for her acclaimed debut How To Have Sex which won the Un Certain Regard Prize in 2023.
The jury members joining her are:
French-Swiss director and screenwriter Louise Courvoisier
Croatian film curator and director Vanja Kaludjercic
Italian director, producer, and screenwriter Roberto Minervini
Argentinian actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart
The Un Certain Regard section will feature 20 films, including 9 directorial debuts, reflecting a wide range of international voices and cinematic styles. The section will open on May 14, 2025, with Promised Sky (Promis le ciel), directed by Tunisian filmmaker Erige Sehiri.
Notable Films in Un Certain Regard 2025
Some of the selected films include:
Aisha Can’t Fly Away (Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia) by Morad Mostafa
Caravan (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy) by Zuzana Kirchnerová
The Chronology of Water (France, UK, USA) by Kristen Stewart
Eleanor the Great (USA) by Scarlett Johansson
Love Me Tender (France) by Anna Cazenave Cambet
Once Upon a Time in Gaza (Palestine, France, Portugal) by Tarzan and Arab Nasser
The Plague (Australia, USA) by Charlie Polinger (a debut feature)
Many of these films are eligible for the Caméra d’Or, awarded to the best first feature film.
Festival Significance and Atmosphere
The Cannes Film Festival is renowned not only for its cinematic prestige but also for its glamorous red carpet events, industry networking opportunities, and cultural impact. Winning the Palme d’Or or a prize in sections like Un Certain Regard can launch a filmmaker’s career internationally. The festival also serves as a key indicator for global film trends and awards season favorites.
Additional Notes
The festival has expressed condolences and taken a stand on current global issues, notably after the tragic death of Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, a subject of a documentary in the festival lineup.
Attendance is by invitation only, with events running every day from May 13 to 24, 2025.
In summary, the Cannes Film Festival 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of cinema, with a diverse and exciting lineup, distinguished juries led by celebrated artists like Juliette Binoche and Molly Manning Walker, and the usual blend of artistic excellence and star-studded glamour. Whether you follow the main competition or the innovative Un Certain Regard section, Cannes remains a must-watch event for anyone passionate about film