The 78th Cannes Film Festival is set to take place from May 13 to 24, 2025, in the glamorous seaside city of Cannes, France. This year’s edition promises to be a cinematic celebration of both seasoned auteurs and bold new voices, with an eclectic lineup spanning genres, styles, and continents.

A Rich and Diverse Main Competition

The main competition boasts an impressive roster of internationally acclaimed directors:

Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, his signature style expected to dazzle yet again.

Ari Aster explores new territory with the western comedy Eddington.

Richard Linklater enters the competition with New Wave, a nod to cinema history

Kelly Reichardt presents The Mastermind, a Vietnam War drama promising emotional depth.

Julia Ducournau, who previously won the Palme d’Or for Titane, unveils her much-anticipated new film, Alpha.

Joachim Trier brings Sentimental Value, expected to blend personal narrative and cinematic elegance.

Jafar Panahi, continuing to defy odds, competes with A Simple Accident.

The Dardenne brothers contribute Jeunes Mères, in their characteristic socially conscious style.

Making history, Nigeria has its first official selection with My Father’s Shadow by Akinola Davies Jr.

Un Certain Regard: Spotlight on New Perspectives
The Un Certain Regard section this year shines a light on two actor-turned-directors making their feature debuts:

Scarlett Johansson unveils her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, a deeply personal story.

Harris Dickinson, known for his acting, brings his film Urchin, signaling his directorial ambitions.

Out of Competition: Big Names and Blockbusters

Outside of the competition, the festival features an exciting range of premieres:

Tom Cruise returns with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, sure to draw a global audience.

Spike Lee presents Highest 2 Lowest, an English-language remake of Kurosawa’s High and Low, starring Denzel Washington.

Music legend Bono showcases his documentary Stories of Surrender, offering a more introspective side of the U2 frontman.

Festival Leadership, Ceremonies, and Special Honors

French cinema royalty will take center stage at the festival:

Juliette Binoche will preside over the main competition jury, bringing gravitas and insight.

Laurent Lafitte will return to host both the opening and closing ceremonies.

Robert De Niro is set to receive the prestigious Honorary Palme d’Or during the opening night, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to cinema.

A Record-Breaking Year

With a staggering 2,909 feature films submitted, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival reaffirms its status as a leading platform for international cinema. From high-profile premieres to breakthrough debuts, the festival continues to shape the future of film and showcase the best of global storytelling.

As the red carpet rolls out in May, all eyes will once again be on the Croisette for what promises to be a thrilling edition of Cannes.