The 78th Festival de Cannes is once again pushing the boundaries of cinematic experience with the return of the Immersive Competition, now in its second edition. Taking place from May 14 to 23, 2025, at the iconic Carlton Hotel on the Croisette, this competition celebrates innovative storytelling through spatial and sensory experiences that transcend traditional cinema.
What Is the Immersive Competition?
Introduced in 2024, the Immersive Competition spotlights cutting-edge works that invite audiences to engage interactively with narratives, often through virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), video mapping, and artificial intelligence (AI). These works are designed to be experienced rather than passively viewed, immersing viewers in imaginative worlds where space, emotion, and story intertwine.
This year’s selection includes 16 immersive works from 9 countries, with 9 competing for the Best Immersive Work prize and others presented out of competition or in a special Focus program showcasing five creations from Luxembourg. The Focus program offers festival-goers a unique glimpse into the creative processes behind immersive art.
The Jury
The prestigious Immersive Competition jury is chaired by Luc Jacquet, the Oscar-winning French documentary filmmaker famed for March of the Penguins and his recent immersive project Terra Incognita that took audiences on a virtual expedition from Patagonia to the South Pole. Jacquet is joined by a diverse panel of experts:
Laurie Anderson – American multidisciplinary artist known for her innovative multimedia works
Tania de Montaigne – French writer and performer, co-creator of the 2024 Cannes immersive winner Colored
Martha Fiennes – British director recognized for her AI-driven cinematic environments
Tetsuya Mizuguchi – Japanese video game creator behind Rez and Tetris Effect, pioneers in immersive interactive experiences
This jury will award the Best Immersive Work at the Immersive Closing Ceremony on May 22, 2025.
Selected Works and Highlights
The competition features a rich variety of immersive projects, including world premieres and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Notable entries include:
Lili (directed by Navid Khonsari), starring Zar Amir Ebrahimi, a transcontinental VR collaboration produced by iNK Stories and the Royal Shakespeare Company
tAxI (UK), a world premiere project blending narrative and interaction
The Exploding Girl VR (France/Greece), a hybrid documentary experience
Fillos do Vento: A Rapa (Spain/USA), a co-production exploring cultural themes
La Maison de Poupée (Luxembourg/Canada), an animated VR experience by Charlotte Bruneau and Dominic Desjardins
Out-of-competition works include Chez Moi, voiced by Fanny Ardant, and Trailblazer, featuring Daisy Ridley, further highlighting the involvement of acclaimed actors in immersive storytelling.
Why This Matters
The Immersive Competition at Cannes reflects a rapidly evolving language of storytelling that challenges conventional cinema. By integrating technology and narrative, these works invite audiences to question their relationships with power, nature, technology, and human connection in profound and interactive ways.
The Carlton Hotel’s transformation into a hub for immersive art underscores Cannes’ commitment to fostering innovation and expanding the cinematic experience beyond the screen.
In summary, the Cannes 2025 Immersive Competition offers a groundbreaking platform for creators pushing the limits of narrative and technology. With a distinguished jury led by Luc Jacquet and a diverse selection of immersive works, this event is a must-see for anyone interested in the future of storytelling and experiential art.