Inside Story

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is gearing up for a dazzling edition, with Hollywood heavyweights Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Tom Cruise expected to dominate the red carpet. Launching Tuesday, the prestigious festival promises a blend of blockbuster premieres, indie gems, and thought-provoking documentaries.

This year’s competition boasts major contenders like Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love starring Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, and Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, which boasts a star-studded cast including Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hanks. Meanwhile, Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone team up in Ari Aster’s dark western Eddington.

The Palme d’Or jury, headed by Juliette Binoche with members like Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong, will have no shortage of talent to evaluate. In the Un Certain Regard category, Johansson and Kristen Stewart both debut as directors, while Harris Dickinson presents his directorial effort Urchin.

Robert De Niro will be honored with an honorary Palme d’Or, and Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest will make its anticipated debut out of competition.

Political tensions and industry challenges, including U.S. tariff threats, are expected to be hot topics at La Croisette, ensuring that Cannes 2025 won’t just celebrate cinema—it will spark global conversations.

—
Photo Credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock.com