As the Cannes Film Festival approaches, film enthusiasts and industry insiders alike are buzzing with anticipation. The question on everyone’s mind is: what will be this year’s standout film, akin to last year’s Anora? With less than a month to go before the festival’s press conference, the official selection remains largely under wraps. Currently, only a handful of films have been confirmed to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or.
Among the films that have secured their spots in this year’s lineup is the highly anticipated Father Mother Sister Brother, directed by Jim Jarmusch and featuring a star-studded cast including Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Tom Waits. The previous festival, which Thierry Fremaux, the festival's artistic director, noted would be slightly less impactful due to the double Hollywood strikes, surprised many with its success. It featured Anora, which not only clinched the Palme d'Or but also went on to win the Best Picture Oscar. Other notable films that garnered attention in 2023 included Emilia Pérez, The Substance, and Flow.
Insiders are predicting that the 2025 edition of the Cannes Film Festival is shaping up to be remarkable. With many major titles submitted and increased competition for slots, it has been described as “the first post-strike Cannes.” However, with so few films screened for Fremaux and his selection committee at this stage, the full lineup remains uncertain.
In addition to Jarmusch’s film, several American filmmakers are making a strong showing for this year’s festival. One of the most talked-about submissions is Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, a French-language film that explores the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic Breathless and the emergence of the French New Wave. Linklater recently showcased his film Blue Moon at the Berlin Film Festival, further solidifying his presence in the international film scene.
Other notable American directors expected to make waves at Cannes include Spike Lee, with his A24 project Highest 2 Lowest, a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low starring Denzel Washington. Wes Anderson is also anticipated to return with The Phoenician Scheme, featuring a stellar cast that includes Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson. Additionally, Ari Aster is rumored to present his Western black comedy Eddington, while Kristen Stewart will make her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir.
The Cannes Film Festival is not just a platform for American filmmakers; international auteurs are also vying for a spot on the prestigious Croisette. The Dardenne brothers, known for their impactful storytelling, are expected to present their latest work, The Young Mother’s Home. Other international contenders include Joachim Trier’s family drama Sentimental Value, Rebecca Zlotowski’s Parisian thriller Vie Privée, and Fatih Akin’s historical drama Amrum.
Several films remain in limbo regarding their potential inclusion in this year’s festival. Lynne Ramsay’s horror film Die, My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, and Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt could still make an appearance, despite their uncertain status. Additionally, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice and Alice Winocour’s Couture may also premiere at Cannes, depending on the festival’s final lineup.
Unfortunately, not all anticipated films will grace the Cannes stage this year. Projects like Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia, Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled film, and various others have officially been ruled out. This leaves festival-goers with a mix of excitement and disappointment as they await the unveiling of the final selection.
As we count down to the Cannes Film Festival, the anticipation continues to grow. With a promising array of films from both established and emerging filmmakers, this year's festival is set to be a significant event in the cinematic calendar.
