Cannes 2025: A-List Directors Battle for Palme d’Or Glory

PARIS, France — The 78th Cannes Film Festival is set to feature an impressive lineup of films from renowned directors such as Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Richard Linklater competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or, festival organizers announced Thursday.

This year’s festival, running from May 13 to 24, comes off a successful 2024 edition that produced several Oscar contenders like “Emilia Pérez” and “The Substance.” Thierry Frémaux, the festival’s artistic director, revealed the highly anticipated selections at a press conference in Paris alongside festival president Iris Knobloch.

Among the notable entries, Aster’s “Eddington” stands out as a pandemic-themed Western featuring stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone. Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” showcases Benicio Del Toro in the role of a European profiteer, while Linklater contributes “Nouvelle Vague,” a film about the French New Wave legend Jean-Luc Godard.

Julia Ducournau, a previous Palme d’Or winner for her film “Titane,” will present “Alpha,” set in 1980s New York, which revolves around an 11-year-old coping with a parent who has AIDS. “It’s an honor to be back at Cannes, and I hope my film resonates with audiences as much as ‘Titane’ did,” Ducournau said during the announcement.

Returning to the festival are two-time Palme winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne with their film “Young Mothers,” and Joachim Trier, who impressed audiences in 2021, returns with “Sentimental Value,” starring Renate Reinsve.

Not all prominent films made the competition; Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” will screen out of competition, like the much-anticipated “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which serves as the festival’s highlight this year.

While several heavyweights have made the competition, several films that were expected to be announced were notably absent. Among them were Terrence Malick‘s “The Way of the Wind” and Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “One Battle After Another.” However, an update from Cannes confirmed that Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” will premiere out of competition.

Festival organizers noted that this year marks a significant moment in history with both Juliette Binoche and Iris Knobloch leading in the jury to determine the Palme d’Or, marking 60 years since the festival had two women in succession in this role. “It’s a reflection of the evolving landscape of cinema and the respect for women in the industry,” Frémaux commented.

The competition boasts a record-breaking 2,909 submissions, with a breakdown that highlights the ongoing gender disparity in the industry: 68% of films featured were directed by men, while 32% were helmed by women. Six female directors, including Ducournau and Hafsia Herzi, will vie for recognition in the prestigious category.

The festival continues its local tradition by opening with “Leave One Day” by first-time director Amélie Bonnin, a heartfelt comedy-drama inspired by her 2023 César-winning short film.

With significant Hollywood presence, including anticipated guests like Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro, the festival promises glitz and glamour on the Croisette. A special screening of U2 frontman Bono‘s documentary “Bono: Stories of Surrender” is also expected to draw attention this year.

The excitement surrounding the 2025 Cannes Film Festival is palpable, as attendees await the honors and revelations of this engaging cinematic event.