Cannes 2025: Anticipation Builds for a Star-Studded Film Festival

As the Cannes Film Festival approaches, anticipation builds around which films will compete, with uncertainty surrounding the official selection. So far, only three films have been confirmed for competition, including Jim Jarmusch’s highly awaited “Father Mother Sister Brother.” Despite concerns that the previous year’s festival might be subdued due to Hollywood strikes, it proved to be a success, highlighted by the Palme d’Or-winning “Anora.” The upcoming festival is expected to feature a strong lineup, with many prominent filmmakers eager to showcase their works.

American directors such as Richard Linklater, Spike Lee, and Wes Anderson are anticipated to return with compelling submissions. Other notable filmmakers, including Ari Aster and Kelly Reichardt, are also expected to present films that align well with the festival’s themes. Several international directors, including the Dardenne brothers, Joachim Trier, and Fatih Akin, are well-positioned to compete as well.

While some films are rumored to be in contention, a few are deemed uncertain for the festival lineup, including works from Lynne Ramsay and Luca Guadagnino. Conversely, other projects, such as those by Yorgos Lanthimos and Paul Thomas Anderson, have been ruled out from participating this year. Overall, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival is poised to be a vibrant event filled with significant cinematic works, embodying a post-strike resurgence in filmmaking.

Source: VARIETY