The Cannes Film Festival is set to announce its official film lineup on Thursday, unveiling the titles that will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or next month. However, this year’s build-up comes under the shadow of growing pressure on festival organizers to take a definitive stand against abuse within the entertainment industry.
Cannes President Iris Knobloch and long-time director Thierry Frémaux will reveal the in-competition films and high-profile premieres during a press conference in Paris. So far, they’ve confirmed that acclaimed French actress Juliette Binoche will lead the jury, Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or, and Tom Cruise will attend the world premiere of the latest Mission: Impossible film.
The run-up to the festival has been clouded by a damning report from a French parliamentary inquiry released Wednesday, which described mistreatment in the entertainment sector as “endemic.” Inquiry chair Sandrine Rousseau, a prominent Green Party lawmaker and feminist voice, urged Cannes to become a leader in changing the industry’s culture.
“The Cannes Film Festival must be the place where this shift in mindset happens,” Rousseau told reporters. “Where we say loud and clear, amid the glitter and red carpets, that we all want change — at every level of the industry.”
Adding to the festival’s charged atmosphere is the timing of French actor Gérard Depardieu’s sexual assault trial verdict, expected on the festival’s opening day, May 13. Depardieu, who denies the allegations, has become a central figure in France’s reckoning with the #MeToo movement.
Amid these serious issues, Cannes also hopes to deliver the glamour and cinematic excitement the global film industry sorely needs after a string of big-budget disappointments. Recent flops include Disney’s live-action Snow White, Captain America: Brave New World, and Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi project Mickey 17. However, the surprise box office success of A Minecraft Movie, despite poor reviews, has offered a glimmer of hope.
Despite the star power of Cruise and other Hollywood figures, Cannes remains committed to spotlighting independent and auteur-driven cinema. Around 20 films will compete for the Palme d’Or, following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Anora by Sean Baker.
Speculation is mounting around potential entries from revered directors like Terrence Malick, Jim Jarmusch, and Wes Anderson. Anderson’s new film, featuring Benicio Del Toro, Tom Hanks, and Scarlett Johansson, could be among the premieres. Johansson, meanwhile, may present her directorial debut Eleanor the Great, while Kristen Stewart is also rumored to attend with her first feature as a director.
Cannes 2025 promises not only cinematic prestige but a potential turning point for the global film community.
