Written by Kianna Best on May 26, 2025. Posted in Awards and Festivals

Bold Visions, Emotional Resonance, and Industry Evolution take over Cannes 2025

The 78th Cannes Film Festival delivered a dynamic blend of cinematic innovation, emotional storytelling, and industry discourse. From Joachim Trier's poignant Sentimental Value to Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut Eleanor the Great, the festival showcased a diverse array of films that captivated audiences and critics alike. The Marché du Film buzzed with discussions on AI, global storytelling, and inclusivity, reflecting the evolving landscape of the film industry.

 

 

Opening with Amélie Bonnin’s Leave One Day, Cannes 2025 marked the first time a debut feature inaugurated the festival. This romantic musical, starring Juliette Armanet, charmed audiences with its blend of French classics and contemporary hits, setting an optimistic tone for the festival.

 

The festival also paid tribute to cinematic legends. Robert De Niro received an Honorary Palme d'Or during the opening ceremony, while Denzel Washington was surprised with the same honour before the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest.

 

The Marché du Film buzzed with over 70 sessions, focusing on topics like AI in entertainment, international co-productions, and new distribution trends.

 

A significant addition this year was the launch of the Village Innovation, a 1,000m² space dedicated to the intersection of filmmaking and cutting-edge technology. Located at the Village International Pantiero, it featured talks, panels, and live demonstrations on generative AI, virtual production, immersive media, and other disruptive technologies reshaping the film industry.

 

Cannes Next, the festival's innovation-focused platform, hosted the AI for Talent Summit at Plage des Palmes, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in casting and talent management.

 

 

The impACT program, a joint initiative with Microsoft, emphasised ethics, inclusion, representation, and social responsibility in cinema. Panels like "The Future of Film is Green" discussed actionable strategies to make film production more sustainable and climate-conscious.

 

During the two weeks of screenings, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value  earned a staggering  19-minute standing ovation celebrating stars Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård for the film that delves into familial reconciliation and the sacrifices made for art.

 

Scarlett Johansson's Eleanor the Great premiered in the Un Certain Regard section, featuring a standout performance by 95-year-old June Squibb. The film explores themes of identity, grief, and friendship, resonating deeply with audiences. Johansson's directorial joined other actor helmed debuts including Kristen Stewart's The Chronology of Water and Harris Dickinson's Urchin.

 

Julia Ducournau's Alpha presented a visually arresting narrative about a mysterious disease transforming individuals into marble-like statues. Despite its ambitious themes, the film received mixed reviews for its narrative coherence.

 

 

Spanish cinema shone with Oliver Laxe's Sirât and Carla Simón's Romería. While Sirât polarized critics with its audacious storytelling, Romería was lauded for its emotional warmth and subtlety, cementing Simón's reputation in independent cinema.

 

Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague offered a nostalgic look at the making of Breathless, featuring Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard and Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg. Shot in black and white, the film paid homage to the French New Wave era.

 

Ari Aster's Eddington, a contemporary Western starring Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, explored societal turmoil in a fictional New Mexico town during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's atmospheric storytelling and ensemble cast garnered attention.

 

 

Sebastián Lelio's The Wave premiered in the Cannes Premiere section, blending musical elements with narratives inspired by Chilean feminist protests, showcasing the director's versatility.

 

The festival also served as a platform for advocacy. Over 350 industry professionals signed a letter condemning the killing of Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, a subject of the documentary Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk. The festival's official statement highlighted the ongoing violence in Gaza, prompting discussions on the role of cinema in social justice.

 

Cannes 2025 showcased a rich tapestry of films that pushed boundaries and sparked conversations. As the festival concluded, the industry looked ahead, inspired by the stories told and the dialogues initiated on the Croisette.