The prestigious Cannes Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 78th edition, which will take place from May 13 to 24, 2025. In a press conference held in Paris, the festival’s artistic director and general delegate, Thierry Frémaux, along with president Iris Knobloch, unveiled an Official Selection marked by some of the biggest names in contemporary cinema as well as several surprises. This year, the festival received a record-breaking 2,909 film submissions, underscoring the continued global interest in participating in the world’s most important film event.
One of the standout names is Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes, who will take part in the Un Certain Regard section with The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo. His previous short film, Las criaturas que se derriten bajo el sol, was recently screened at Argentina’s Syncro Film Fest. Another Chilean director in the lineup is Sebastián Lelio, Oscar winner for A Fantastic Woman, who will present La ola in the Cannes Première section, out of competition.
This year’s edition does not include any Argentine films in the Official Selection, although additional titles may still be announced in the coming days, as is often the case after the official press conference.
Among the celebrated filmmakers returning to competition are the Dardenne brothers — two-time Palme d’Or winners — with La Maison des Maternelles. Also competing are Wes Anderson, Kelly Reichardt, Joachim Trier, Jafar Panahi, Kleber Mendonça Filho, and Oliver Laxe, who will represent Spain alongside Carla Simón. Laxe will present Sirat, while Simón competes with Romería, following her success in Berlin with Alcarràs.
The opening ceremony will have a strong Hollywood presence: an honorary Palme d’Or will be awarded to Robert De Niro, and Mission: Impossible – Final Sentence, the latest installment in the franchise starring Tom Cruise, will be screened. Also out of competition is Stories of Surrender, a documentary exploring the artistic life of Bono, the Irish musician and U2 frontman.
Meanwhile, acclaimed animation director Sylvain Chomet will present his new feature The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol, an animated biography of the celebrated French novelist and playwright. Actress Juliette Binoche will serve as president of the jury, taking over the role from Greta Gerwig.
