The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is shaping up to be a sensational event. With exciting new films like Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, and Ari Aster’s Eddington, there’s a lot to look forward to.
Cannes delegate general Thierry Frémaux and festival president Iris Knobloch unveiled this year’s lineup at a press conference in Paris. The competition includes renowned directors like Kelly Reichardt, returning with her art-heist thriller The Mastermind, and Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, back with his new film Sentimental Value. This year also sees dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi presenting A Simple Accident.
The Dardenne Brothers, who have won the Palme d’Or twice, bring their latest film, The Young Mother’s Home, to the festival. South African director Oliver Hermanus makes his competition debut with The History of Sound, a romantic road movie set in WWI, featuring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. Additionally, French director Dominik Moll will showcase the crime drama Dossier 137.
Julia Ducournau, celebrated for her body horror film Titane, returns with Alpha. This new film, set in the 1980s, follows an 11-year-old girl facing rejection from her peers due to rumors about a new disease.
Distributor Neon is also aiming for another win. Recently, the company had an impressive streak, clinching five consecutive Palme d’Or wins with films like Parasite (2019) and Anatomy of a Fall (2023). This year, they have two contenders: Alpha and Sentimental Value.
In a touching announcement, Tom Cruise will make a return to Cannes to premiere Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which will screen out of competition ahead of its global release.
Frémaux noted an impressive selection process this year, with 2,909 films screened. This marks a record number of submissions, showcasing Cannes as a premier venue for filmmakers.
Reflecting on past successes, last year’s festival included 31 Oscar nominations and nine wins, with Sean Baker’s Anora leading the charge. This momentum builds anticipation for this year’s selections, which promise to spotlight new talent and bold storytelling.
Among the out-of-competition highlights are Jodie Foster’s Vie Privée, Andrew Dominik’s music documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender, and German director Fatih Akin’s Amrum. Additionally, Sebastián Lelio offers a Spanish-language feminist musical titled The Wave.
This year’s Un Certain Regard section features fresh talent, including Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, and Akinola Davies Junior’s My Father’s Shadow.
Amélie Bonnin’s Partir un Jour will open the festival, while legendary actress Juliette Binoche will lead the jury charged with selecting winners. Robert De Niro will also receive a lifetime achievement award at the opening ceremony.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival appears poised to deliver a diverse array of new cinematic voices and established names. It promises to be a vibrant gathering for film lovers and industry professionals alike.
For more details on this year’s participants and screenings, visit the official Cannes Film Festival website.
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