Cannes Film Festival 2025

Festival De Cannes 2025

The 78th annual Cannes International Film Festival (the 78th edition of the Cannes Festival) will take place from May 13 to 24, 2025 in Cannes, France.

The Cannes Festival is an esteemed international event, recognised as the oldest and most important gathering in the global film industry since 1946, celebrating cinema and bringing together filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals.

Festival Overview

The Cannes Film Festival, also known as Festival de Cannes, is an annual international film festival in Cannes, France. It’s one of the most famous film festivals in the world, attracting film industry professionals, international stars and up and coming actors. The festival is the result of collaboration between directors, producers, and other industry professionals who work together to create and present outstanding films.

The festival showcases the best of world cinema with a selection of films from all over the world, tributes to film personalities and unforgettable gala evenings. Fashion also plays a key role in the festival's glamour and visual appeal, with celebrities and designers making bold statements on the red carpet.

The Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is an unique experience with something for everyone. From the glamour of the red carpet, which serves as a stage for filmmakers and actors to showcase their work and talent, to the discovery of new talent, it’s a must attend event for film lovers. The famous walk up the steps is an iconic moment, symbolising prestige, fashion, and the celebration of cinema. The festival takes place in the heart of the famous Palais des Festivals where you can meet film industry professionals, international stars and up and coming actors. The festival offers a range of screenings including the Official Selection, Un Certain Regard and Directors’ Fortnight.

Venue and Infrastructure

The Cannes Film Festival is set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera, with the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès serving as the heart of the event. Located on the legendary La Croisette, this state-of-the-art convention centre is the epicentre of the festival’s activities, from world premieres to press conferences and the dazzling red carpet moments that define the festival’s glamour.

The Palais des Festivals is designed to accommodate the scale and prestige of the Cannes Film Festival. Its crown jewel, the Grand Théâtre Lumière, boasts over 2,300 seats and features a massive screen paired with cutting-edge sound technology, ensuring every film screening is a cinematic event. Alongside the Lumière, the venue houses several other renowned screening rooms, such as the Salle Debussy and Salle Buñuel, where films from across the globe are showcased to industry professionals and festival-goers alike.

Beyond the screenings, the Palais des Festivals is a hub for film professionals, journalists, and fans, offering ample space and modern amenities to support the thousands who descend on Cannes each year. The city itself enhances the festival experience, with its picturesque beaches, luxury hotels, and vibrant cultural scene providing a unique environment for networking, celebration, and discovery.

Sustainability is also a key focus for the festival’s organisers, who collaborate closely with city authorities to implement eco-friendly initiatives—ranging from waste reduction to promoting green transportation options—ensuring the event’s environmental impact is minimised.

A vital part of the festival’s infrastructure is the Marché du Film, the world’s leading film market, which takes place within the Palais des Festivals. Here, film industry professionals from around the world connect, negotiate deals, and discover new talents, making Cannes not just a celebration of cinema, but a driving force in the global film industry.

Screenings and Programming

The Cannes Film Festival offers a wide range of screenings and programming showcasing the best of world cinema. The Official Selection includes films from all over the world selected by a jury of film industry professionals. The jury also awards the prestigious jury prize to outstanding films, recognising artistic achievements alongside other major honours. Un Certain Regard showcases innovative and bold films, Directors’ Fortnight the work of emerging filmmakers. The festival also features tributes to film personalities including the French Association’s best actress award.

Accreditation and Participation

Accreditation for 2025 festival opened on February 3, 2025. The festival offers different types of accreditation to suit different participants:

• Press Accreditation: For journalists covering the event.

• “Trois jours à Cannes/Three Days in Cannes” Pass: For cinema enthusiasts aged between 18 and 28 and gives access to certain screenings and events.

• Marché Badge: For industry professionals participating in the Marché du Film, the film market.

These accreditations ensure a diverse group of attendees from industry veterans to young cinephiles can enjoy the festival. Participants may also benefit from free access to transportation passes, promoting eco-friendly mobility during the festival.

History and Heritage

The Cannes Film Festival has a long history dating back to 1946 when it was created to celebrate cinema and reward the best films of the year. The outbreak of war, specifically World War II, interrupted the festival's early years, delaying its establishment and impacting its initial editions.

It was formally accredited by FIAPF in 1951 and since then it’s one of the most talked about and most awaited event in the world of cinema. Over the years the festival has undergone many changes but its commitment to showcase the best of world cinema remains the same. The French Association of the Film Festival plays a central role in the festival's governance and organisation, overseeing its administration and key appointments. The festival has become a symbol of excellence in cinema and a reflection of the evolution of the movie industry.

Funding, including government subsidies and sponsorships, has been crucial in supporting the festival's growth and enabling its various initiatives.

President and Jury

This year the festival will be headed by French actress Juliette Binoche who has been appointed as the president of the main competition jury. The Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival is the hallmark of excellence in cinema, recognising outstanding filmmaking. Binoche has an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for “The English Patient” and a Best Actress award at Cannes in 2010 for “Certified Copy”. She’s an experienced and connected to the festival so she’s the perfect choice to lead the jury to select the best films of the year.

The jury’s decision-making process is guided by respect for filmmakers, jurors, and cultural diversity, ensuring impartiality and upholding artistic integrity throughout the festival.

Official Selection and Submissions

The Official Selection of the Festival de Cannes includes several sections: In Competition films, Un Certain Regard films, Cannes Première films and special screenings. The films in competition are the most prestigious with awards given by a jury composed of famous figures from the film industry. As part of the selection process, films are screened before the jury, allowing them to be evaluated for inclusion and awards. Filmmakers who want to participate in the 2025 festival have specific submission deadlines:

• Feature Films: Deadline is March 14, 2025.

• Short Films: Submissions must be completed by March 3, 2025 and final upload of films by March 7, 2025.

• La Cinef (Student Films): Deadline is February 25, 2025.

After the submission deadlines, the festival also plays a key role in facilitating the distribution of selected films to international audiences through premieres, market activities, and industry connexions.

These sections are open to both established and emerging filmmakers.

Ticketing and Access

The ticketing website for the 78th Cannes Film Festival will open in early May 2025. Tickets for screenings and events are released daily, with new seats available every morning at 7 am or 9 am depending on your accreditation category. The festival reminds you that connecting to the ticketing website beforehand doesn’t give you an advantage, as all users are put in a waiting room one minute before the tickets are released and access is granted by random draw. Because of this system, luck plays a significant role in gaining access to exclusive screenings, as your chance depends on the outcome of the draw. 90% of accredited people were able to access the reservation site in under 2 minutes in previous years, so the festival is committed to a fast and fair ticketing process.

Yachts and Red Carpet at Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival is not only about cinema but also about luxury and glamour and that’s embodied by the presence of many superyachts along the French Riviera. Celebrities and industry moguls use these luxurious vessels as private retreats, exclusive party venues and convenient accommodation during the festival.

Moored near the Palais des Festivals, these yachts offer a secluded yet accessible space for high profile guests. For example, during previous festivals, Heidi Klum and Kylie Minogue have been spotted hosting and attending yacht parties, adding an extra layer of glamour to the event.

Chartering superyachts during the festival has grown over the years and many see it as the ultimate way to experience Cannes. Yachts are the perfect venue for private screenings, high profile meetings and lavish celebrations all while being a sanctuary from the festival buzz.

Celebrity Sightings and Red Carpet Events

The Cannes Film Festival is all about glamour and celebrity appearances. The red carpet is rolled out for the biggest stars in the film industry who come to the festival to promote their latest films and mingle with other industry professionals. The festival also features red carpet events including the opening and closing ceremonies and the gala evenings throughout the festival. These events create iconic images that capture the glamour and excitement of the festival, with memorable scenes of celebrities and striking visual moments that are shared around the world. These are the highlights of the festival where you can see your favourite stars up close and personal.

Media and Press Coverage

The Cannes Film Festival stands as one of the most widely covered events in the international film industry, drawing thousands of journalists, photographers, and media professionals from every corner of the globe. The festival’s press office offers a comprehensive suite of services, including exclusive press screenings, interviews with celebrated film personalities, and access to high-profile events, ensuring that the world’s media can capture every moment.

Coverage of the festival extends far beyond the Croisette. The official Cannes Film Festival website and its dynamic social media channels provide real-time updates, news, reviews, and interviews, allowing fans and professionals worldwide to stay connected to the excitement. Major television networks and online streaming platforms broadcast the festival’s most anticipated moments, from red carpet arrivals to award ceremonies, making the event accessible to a global audience.

The festival’s media partners include leading film and entertainment publications such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Screen International, as well as mainstream outlets like CNN, BBC, and Reuters. This extensive media presence not only highlights the films and talents featured at Cannes but also amplifies the festival’s role as a launchpad for new talents and innovative storytelling in world cinema.

Throughout the festival, industry events and conferences provide further opportunities for film professionals to network, promote their work, and engage with the latest trends in cinema. The vibrant media coverage helps generate buzz, attract attention to films selected for screening, and celebrate the achievements of directors, actors, and creative teams.

For anyone passionate about cinema, the Cannes Film Festival is an unmissable event—its unique blend of glamour, creativity, and innovation, combined with unparalleled media attention, cements its status as a cornerstone of the global film calendar.

To Be Seen

The official selection of films and events for 2025 will be announced in mid April but the anticipation is building for a wide range of screenings, workshops and discussions. The Grand Prize among other prizes is awarded to the best films, and the Palme d'Or is the most prestigious award at the festival, recognising cinematic excellence and promoting European art cinema. Many past winners of the Palme d'Or and other major awards have achieved international recognition, with films such as those from India like "The Lunchbox" and German cinema like Werner Herzog's "Every Man for Himself and God Against All" featured prominently. Numerous films that have won at Cannes have gone on to receive further accolades at the Academy Awards and other global festivals.

Attendees can watch films in several ways, including screenings at the grand auditorium and free outdoor screenings at Macé Beach, offering a unique experience for festival-goers. The festival programme is organised across multiple pages, and attendees can consult the official page for schedules and events.

The Cannes Film Festival also serves as a unique setting in fiction and film, influencing storeys and atmosphere. The festival has a rich history of co-productions and co-directors, such as the origin of cinéma vérité coined by co-director Edgar Morin, highlighting the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

Besides the film screenings the festival is famous for its red carpet events where celebrities show off haute couture and for being a major networking hub for industry professionals. The combination of art, commerce and glamour makes the Cannes Film Festival a unique and timeless event in the cultural calendar. Looking forward, future editions promise to continue this legacy and bring new cinematic achievements to the world stage.

Conclusion

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival will continue to celebrate cinema while discovering new talent and honouring established creators. With Juliette Binoche at the helm the festival will be a must see and must attend for all. As the world looks to the French Riviera in May, Cannes will once again be the hub of cinematic artistry and international glamour.