Cannes Film Festival 2025: Dates, guests, and more to know

As the cinematic world gears up, the 78th Cannes Film Festival is slated for May 13–24, 2025, on the sun-drenched Croisette. French screen icon Juliette Binoche returns to helm the main competition jury, marking her first time in that role after debuting on La Croisette 40 years ago. Legendary actor Robert De Niro will be honored with the Palme d’Or Honorary at the opening ceremony in recognition of his five-decade career.

Among this year’s standouts, K-drama queens Kim Go Eun and Han So Hee will grace the red carpet as brand ambassadors, while Quentin Tarantino serves as guest of honor with a Cannes Classics mini-retrospective on George Sherman Westerns. The festival launches with Amélie Bonnin’s French comedy Leave One Day, blending fresh voices with established talent.

Sidebars like Un Certain Regard and Cinéfondation promise to unearth emerging storytellers. As one of the world’s premier film events, Cannes 2025 delivers red-carpet glamour and in-depth screenings for cinephiles at home and abroad.

When is Cannes Film Festival taking place—and who’s on the guest list

The 78th Festival de Cannes runs from May 13 through May 24, 2025, returning to the Palais des Festivals on the idyllic French Riviera. This year’s jury is presided over by French cinema icon Juliette Binoche, who opened the festival with a pointed reminder of cinema’s power to challenge the status quo:

“Our screens must mirror the world’s urgencies,” she told reporters at the opening gala.

Among the luminaries descending on Cannes, Quentin Tarantino serves as guest of honor, presenting a mini-retrospective of George Sherman Westerns and spotlighting his own cinematic influences. Robert De Niro will be feted with an Honorary Palme d’Or tribute, going “goofy” for cameras as he accepts the festival’s top lifetime-achievement salute. Beyond the veterans, expect A-list appearances by Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, Tom Cruise and a constellation of stars like Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk and Halle Berry, each lending their glamour to this cinematic extravaganza.

Screenings, sidebars and what critics are buzzing about

With the “In Competition” lineup unveiled last month, cinephiles can already plot which Palme d’Or hopefuls to catch between May 13–24, including a clutch of politically charged dramas framed by the Gaza conflict and personal-memoir documentaries. The Cannes Classics strand returns with 25th-anniversary restorations, notably Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s debut Amores Perros in pristine 4K, prompting Roger Ebert’s praise:

“A visceral dive into human collision that still resonates”.

Press screenings—scheduled publicly as of May 9—allow journalists to lock in reviews before the public rush. Video essayists on YouTube have dissected the festival’s shifting tides: many note a surge of actor-turning-director projects (echoed by Tarantino’s involvement), and an uptick in documentaries that blur the line between reportage and art house.

Beyond the main slate, sidebars like Un Certain Regard, Cinéfondation and the Camera d’Or competition showcase emerging voices—there’s particular excitement around Payal Kapadia’s debut feature, which festival insiders tipped as a dark-horse contender. All told, this year’s Cannes isn’t just about premiere pomp; it’s shaping up as a barometer for global storytelling trends and industry reckonings.

Whether you’re streamlining your schedule to catch Palme d’Or contenders, lining up for the red carpet, or simply following the buzz on social feeds, Cannes 2025 promises to be a landmark event—a two-week celebration of boundary-pushing films, iconic guests and in-depth screenings that set the tone for the awards season ahead. From its sun-drenched beaches to its chandelier-lit palaces, the festival remains the world’s premier cinematic showcase—one you won’t want to miss.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.