A-list Directors, Trump Tariffs, and a Tom Cruise Sequel: Everything You Need to Know About the Cannes Film Festival 2025

For two glittering weeks every May, Cannes hosts a celebration of global cinema. This year, the Cannes Film Festival 2025 promises to be one of its most star-studded yet, with Hollywood icons, international auteurs, and controversial policy shadows converging on the French Riviera.

Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, and Spike Lee Lead Hollywood’s Charge

Tom Cruise returns with “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” following the billion-dollar success of “Top Gun: Maverick.” Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or, nearly 50 years after “Taxi Driver” claimed the top prize. Spike Lee, former jury president, premieres “Highest 2 Lowest,” featuring Denzel Washington.

Palme d’Or Competition Signals Generational Shift

A total of 22 films are vying for the coveted Palme d’Or. Notable names include:

• Lynne Ramsay’s “Die, My Love” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson
• Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme”
• Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value”
• Jafar Panahi’s “A Simple Accident”
• Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind”

Seven female directors are in competition, a notable milestone toward gender equity.

Cannes Heavyweights Playing Out of Competition

Ethan Coen follows up last year’s “Drive Away Dolls” with “Honey Don’t!” Spike Lee’s film, set for Apple TV+, plays out of competition due to France’s strict theatrical release laws.

Global Politics Cast Long Shadows

Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign-produced films have stirred concern in the Cannes film market, potentially affecting international distribution. The policy’s viability and scope remain uncertain but are hotly debated behind the scenes.

Tribute, Tragedy, and Timely Themes

The Israel-Hamas war and ongoing global conflicts feature in several films, including Nadav Lapid’s “Yes!” and Sepideh Farsi’s “Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk,” which honors war documentarian Fatima Hassouna.

Hollywood Actors Behind the Camera

Kristen Stewart, Scarlett Johansson, and Harris Dickinson debut directorial projects in Un Certain Regard. Stewart’s “The Chronology of Water” and Johansson’s “Eleanor The Great” are among the most buzzworthy.

Cannes and the Oscars: A Reignited Relationship

After the 2019 triumph of “Parasite,” Cannes has become a fertile launchpad for Oscar winners. Films like “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Zone of Interest,” and “Emilia Perez” underline the festival’s renewed awards relevance.

What to Expect Next

The jury, headed by Juliette Binoche with members like Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong, will announce the Palme d’Or winner on May 24. But as always, Cannes’ true power lies in its unpredictability and ability to turn unknown talents into global icons.