Each year in May, hundreds of the globe’s most renowned celebrities along with thousands of professionals from the film sector flock to a picturesque coastal town in France.
Exactly, it’s the Cannes (said like ‘can’, not like the town in Far North Queensland) Film Festival.
At first glance, it may appear as though Cannes offers just another opportunity for celebrities to pose in front of the cameras. However, historically, the festival has provided a glimpse into the movies and cinematic achievements that we can expect to make waves at cinema releases and awards shows over the coming year.
As the festival concludes today, here’s everything you should be aware of.
Can you tell me what the Cannes Film Festival is?
In its 78th year, Cannes stands as one of the ‘big five’ international film festivals, alongside those held in Venice, Berlin, Sundance, and Toronto.
Many filmmakers send their works to a panel with the aspiration that their creations will be picked as part of the main contest. Typically, only about 20 make the cut (or possibly 22 slated for 2025) to become formally acknowledged under “‘competition'”. However, beyond this formal event, many more film showings and first-time presentations take place.
By the conclusion of the biennial event, several accolades are presented, such as the Prix de la mise en scène (Top Directing Award), Prix d’interprétation masculine and Prix d’interprétation féminine (Leading Male and Female Performances) along with the much-desired Palme d’Or recognizing the finest cinematic work showcased throughout the festivity.
Although the Palme d’Or has consistently been a significant accolade, it has recently become an indicator of future Oscar contenders and victors. This pattern gained momentum when Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” clinched the Palme d’Or in 2019 and subsequently secured the title of Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars—the first non-English-language film to achieve this feat.
Last year, Sean Baker’s Anora won the Palme d’Or before staging a comeback in a highly competitive field to secure the Best Picture award for 2025.
Forty percent of the awards at this year’s Oscars went to movies that also received recognition at Cannes.
.
This doesn’t mean there haven’t been contentious Cannes selections: the Jury Prize from last year was awarded to Emilia Perez, setting off one of the most
unpredictable Oscar races of the 2020s
.
Beyond the main competition, Cannes also delves into bigger-budget productions — this year featured the debut of the finale.
Mission Impossible
.
This is also what led to the iconic image of Jerry Seinfeld costumed as a massive bee, zipline-ing into the 2007 festival to publicize his leading part in The Bee Movie.
Australians at Cannes 2025
Although no Australian films are part of the main competition at Cannes this year, several will be premiering in various independent events happening alongside the festival.
Australian artists have likewise received recognition at this year’s festival:
Nicole Kidman
received the 2025 Women in Motion award recognizing her dedication to collaborating with women filmmakers; she is also an Oscar-winning Australian cinematographer.
Dion Beebe
“Moonlight Sonata: Deaf Symphony; Chicago; The Little Mermaid” received the 2025 Pierre Angénieux Tribute award in recognition of their contributions to cinematic imagery.
Dangerous Animals
Shark-infested horror
Dangerous Animals
Is the first Australian movie to compete in the independent Cannes sidebar, known as the Director’s Fortnight, in over ten years.
The film tracks an American tourist named Zephyr (
Hassie Harrison
As she is kidnapped by a psychotic shark fanatic (Jai Courtney), who holds her captive aboard his cage-diving vessel, Yellowstone finds herself in grave danger. Surrounded by hungry Great Whites and with a murderer at the controls, Zephyr must devise an escape plan quickly to avoid becoming prey.
Directed by
Sean Byrne
—the Tasmanian creator behind the 2009 cult favourite The Loved Ones—Dangerous Animals was shot on the Gold Coast with support from
Screen Queensland
.
Initial feedback from Cannes has been positive, withDeadline describing the gritty film as an exploitative movie.
“tailor-made for summer movie-going”
while Roger Ebert’s critic Brian Tallerico provides
It rates three out of four stars.
.
Dangerous Animals is set to hit Australian cinemas on June 12.
The Plague
Although technically a co-production with the US, The Plague features an Australian lead actor.
Joel Edgerton
and is the
initial project under his Five Henry’s production company
— So we’re taking a page from Russell Crowe’s book and making this claim.
In 2003, Edgerton plays Daddy Wags, who leads a group of young boys in their first experience with water polo. This film explores the complex realm of teenage boyhood and growing pains within the environment of an adolescent sports camp known as The Plague.
“The Plague” made its first appearance at Cannes within the UnCertain Regard segment, known for showcasing distinctive and unconventional narratives. This marks the director’s inaugural full-length film.
Charlie Polinger
The creator of this darkly comedic horror film drew upon their personal time spent at an all-male summer camp for inspiration.
The Body (short film)
Debuting as well in the Director’s Fortnight section is “The Body,” which marks the inaugural short film from Melbourne-based playwright.
Louris van de Geer
.
Laura Wheelwright
In “Animal Kingdom,” Jane plays the part of a deceased individual in a police drama series; however, as she immerses herself in this character, she discovers that the role becomes intertwined with her own identity.
Other movies worth checking out
Eddington
You may not be prepared for a movie set during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, but controversial filmmaker
Ari Aster
is handing it over to you regardless.
Eddington is a ”
MAGA western
“, starring
Joaquin Phoenix
like Joe Cross, a conservative sheriff in a small town governed by progressive mayor Ted Garcia (
Pedro Pascal
).
As mask requirements and societal shifts arrive in Eddington, the residents begin turning against one another. Aster reflects on how contemporary political tensions have altered our interactions with each other.
Earning a five-minute standing ovation (though somewhat restrained compared to usual Cannes norms), Eddington is set for its Australian premiere in June at the Sydney Film Festival.
Die, My Love
Apart from unveiling movies, Cannes serves as a prolific marketplace where upcoming Oscar contenders can be acquired by distributors.
Lynne Ramsay
‘s Die, My Love is leading the pack, selling to Mubi (who also snatched Best Picture nominee The Substance last year) for $US24 million.
For big enthusiasts of Twilight and Hunger Games, the film “Die, My Love” is making waves.
Jennifer Lawrence
and
Robert Pattinson
as Grace and Jackson, a married couple who have moved to the remote countryside to be closer to family.
The movie tracks the pair’s initial year in the countryside as they welcome a child, during which Grace falls into postpartum depression. Laurence’s acting has received significant acclaim, drawing praise from many.
anticipating she might secure her second Academy Award as a result
.
Sentimental Value
If the duration of standing ovations were turned into trophies, then
Joachim Trier
‘Sentimental Value’ (titled “Affeksjonsverdi” in the original Norwegian) would undoubtedly secure the Palme d’Or, racking up an impressive 19 minutes of standing ovation.
according to Deadline
.
The comedy-drama brings together Trier again.
Renate Reinsve
Who was awarded Best Actress at Cannes 2021 for her standout role in the director’s previous film?
The Most Terrible Person in The World
.
Reinsve portrays Nora, an actress who has become distanced from her renowned director father.
Stellan Skarsgård
) attempts to win her favor again by proposing she take a leading role in his highly anticipated return movie. However, this leads to familial conflict when Nora declines the opportunity, causing her father to instead present the part to a promising young star from Hollywood.
Elle Fanning
).
