The 78th Cannes Film Festival successfully brought together a diverse array of films from around the globe, demonstrating the power of cinema to unite audiences amidst a turbulent world. The festival kicked off with a poignant day dedicated to films honoring Ukraine, showcasing the resilience of artists under challenging circumstances. Notably, the festival featured the works of two persecuted Iranian filmmakers, as well as provocative films from both Israel and Gaza, highlighting the rich tapestry of international storytelling.
Despite the significant themes presented, the festival faced a major disruption on its final day when a massive power blackout affected the entire region. This unexpected event caused confusion among festival-goers, but thanks to backup generators, screenings continued at the prestigious Palais. The closing ceremony proceeded smoothly, with jury president Juliette Binoche and eight other esteemed film artists taking the stage to present the coveted awards.
In a surprising turn, actor John C. Reilly entertained the audience by singing "La vie en rose" in English, adding a light-hearted moment to the proceedings. Reilly, known for his comedic portrayal of Buffalo Bill in the film "Heads or Tails?", presented the award for Best Screenplay to the acclaimed filmmaking duo, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, for their compelling film "Young Mothers".
The festival's Jury Prize was shared between Olivier Laxe for "Sirat" and Mascha Schilinski for "Sound of Falling", reflecting the festival's commitment to celebrating innovative storytelling. Wagner Moura received the award for Best Actor for his gripping performance in "The Secret Agent", where he portrayed a father evading assassination during Brazil's military dictatorship.
Binoche began the ceremony by presenting a special prize to Bi Gan, the Chinese director of "Resurrection". The festival also recognized the promising talent of Hasan Hadi, who accepted the Camera d’Or trophy for his directorial debut "The President’s Cake", marking a historic moment as it was the first award for an Iraqi film at Cannes.
This year's jury was notable for its diversity, featuring a majority-female lineup that included prominent figures such as Alba Rohrwacher, Payal Kapadia, Leïla Slimani, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Hong Sangsoo, Carlos Reygadas, and Dieudo Hamadi. Their collective perspectives enriched the festival's discussions and awards process, promoting a more inclusive environment in the film industry.
COMPETITION
Palme d’Or: TBA
Grand Prix: TBA
Director: TBA
Actor: Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
Actress: TBA
Jury Prize — TIE: “Sirat,” Olivier Laxe AND “Sound of Falling,” Mascha Schilinski
Special Award (Prix Spécial): “Resurrection,” Bi Gan
Screenplay: TBA
OTHER PRIZES
Camera d’Or: ”The President’s Cake,” Hasan Hadi
Camera d’Or Special Mention: “My Father’s Shadow,” Akinola Davies Jr.
Short Film Palme d’Or: “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now,” Tawfeek Barhom
Short Film Special Mention: “Ali,” Adnan Al Rajeev
Golden Eye Documentary Prize: “Imago,” Déni Oumar Pitsaev
Golden Eye Special Jury Prize: “The Six Billion Dollar Man,” Eugene Jarecki
Queer Palm: “Little Sister,” Hafsia Heerzi
Palme Dog: Panda, “The Love That Remains”
FIPRESCI Award (Competition): “The Secret Agent,” Kleber Mendonça Filho
FIPRESCI Award (Un Certain Regard): “Urchin,” Harris Dickinson
FIPRESCI Award (Parallel Sections): “Dandelion’s Odyssey,” Momoko Seto
UN CERTAIN REGARD
Un Certain Regard Award: “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” Diego Céspedes
Jury Prize: “A Poet,” Simón Mesa Soto
Best Director Prize: Tarzan and Arab Nasser, “Once Upon a Time in Gaza”
Performance Awards: Cléo Diara, “I Only Rest in the Storm”; Frank Dillane, “Urchin”
Best Screenplay: Harry Lighton, “Pillion”
Special Mention: “Norah,” Tawfik Alzaidi
DIRECTORS’ FORTNIGHT
Europa Cinemas Label: “Wild Foxes,” Valéry Carnoy
Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers Prize: “Wild Foxes,” Valéry Carnoy
Audience Choice Award: “The President’s Cake,” Hasan Hadi
CRITICS’ WEEK
Grand Prize: “A Useful Ghost,” Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
French Touch Prize: “Imago,” Déni Oumar Pitsaev
GAN Foundation Award for Distribution: Le Pacte, “Left-Handed Girl”
Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award: Théodore Pellerin, “Nino”
Leitz Cine Discovery Prize (short film): “L’mina,” Randa Maroufi
Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers Prize: Guillermo Galoe and Victor Alonso-Berbel, “Sleepless City”
Canal+ Short Film Award: “Erogenesis,” Xandra Popescu
IMMERSIVE COMPETITION
“From Dust,” Michel van der Aa
The 78th Cannes Film Festival has proven once again that cinema is a powerful medium capable of transcending borders and addressing significant global issues, all while celebrating the artistry of filmmakers worldwide.
