The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival promises to be a spectacular showcase of cinematic talent, featuring some of the most anticipated films of the year. Among the highlights are Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague, and Ari Aster's Eddington, all set to premiere on the iconic Croisette. The festival's delegate general, Thierry Frémaux, alongside president Iris Knobloch, unveiled this year's impressive line-up during a press conference held in Paris.
This year's Cannes competition line-up is brimming with visionary filmmakers. Notable entries include Kelly Reichardt's The Mastermind, an art-heist drama set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, featuring performances by Josh O’Connor and John Magaro. Norwegian director Joachim Trier makes his return to the Croisette with Sentimental Value, following his 2021 success with The Worst Person of the World, and his new film stars Renate Reinsve.
Returning to the Cannes competition is the acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi with his latest drama, A Simple Accident. The two-time Palme d’Or winners, the Dardenne Brothers, will present their new film, The Young Mother’s Home, a poignant slice of Belgian social realism. South African director Oliver Hermanus will make his competition debut with The History of Sound, a World War I gay romantic road movie starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor.
French veteran Dominik Moll will represent the host nation with his crime drama Dossier 137. Julia Ducournau, who won the Palme d’Or in 2021 for her controversial body horror film Titane, returns with Alpha, a gripping story set in the 1980s about an 11-year-old girl ostracized by her peers due to rumors of a mysterious disease.
U.S. distributor Neon, fresh off an unprecedented five-year winning streak of Palme d’Or winners, has high hopes for this year's festival. With both Alpha and Trier's Sentimental Value in its roster, it aims to extend its streak to six consecutive wins.
In a much-anticipated announcement, Cannes confirmed that Tom Cruise will return to the Croisette for the world premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. This film will screen out of competition ahead of its global release on May 23, 2025, by Paramount. Frémaux revealed that a record-breaking 2,909 films were screened during the selection process, solidifying Cannes' reputation as the world's premier film festival.
Last year, the festival showcased films that garnered a staggering 31 Oscar nominations, resulting in nine wins, including the prestigious best picture award for Sean Baker’s Anora. This success has heightened anticipation for this year's selection, which includes breakout films like Emilia Pérez and The Substance.
This year’s out of competition highlights feature a diverse array of films. Jodie Foster stars in Vie Privée, directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. Additionally, the music documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender, directed by Andrew Dominik, explores the life of the U2 frontman. Other notable films include Amrum by Fatih Akin, The Wave, a feminist musical by Sebastián Lelio, and The Disappearance of Joseph Mengele from Kirill Serebrennikov.
The Un Certain Regard sidebar will spotlight several directorial debuts, including Eleanor the Great, Scarlett Johansson’s first film as a director, featuring June Squibb. Other debuts include Urchin, a British drama by Harrison Dickinson, and My Father’s Shadow from Akinola Davies, which stars Sope Dìrísù. The festival will kick off with Partir un Jour, the first feature from newcomer Amélie Bonnin, screening out of competition.
This year's Cannes jury will be headed by French star and Oscar winner Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the selection of Palme d’Or winners. Additionally, Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement during the festival's opening ceremony, further adding to the star-studded nature of this year’s event.
