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The 2025 Cannes Film Festival kicked off its proceedings with a press conference unveiling its competition lineup for the year, laying the groundwork for the upcoming Oscar season. Scheduled to feature a host of anticipated films, directors such as Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, Julia Ducournau, Oliver Hermanus, Scarlett Johansson, Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Kelly Reichardt, and Joachim Trier are all poised to unveil their latest projects at the revered festival. Below are three pressing questions concerning the current lineup that may influence next year’s Academy Awards.
Can Neon Achieve a Sixth Consecutive Palme d’Or?
Neon has established a remarkable streak by securing the Palme d’Or five times since 2019, with titles like Parasite, Titane, Triangle of Sadness, Anatomy of a Fall, and Anora. This remarkable achievement was only interrupted in 2020 when the festival was canceled due to the pandemic. The studio stands a strong chance of continuing this legacy at the current festival, as it presents two highly anticipated films in the competition: Alpha, a follow-up project from Ducournau, and Sentimental Value, Trier’s next venture after the critically acclaimed The Worst Person in the World. Sentimental Value is generating significant buzz, with many believing it has the potential to extend Neon’s award-winning tradition. However, Ducournau, also a previous Palme d’Or recipient, could make history if Alpha is deemed worthy, as she would become the first woman to win the prestigious award twice, with the jury, presided over by Juliette Binoche, likely to consider this if the film impresses.
What Additional Films Will Be Introduced Before May?
Thierry Frémaux, the director of Cannes, indicated during the announcement that the lineup shared was not final. Shortly thereafter, Spike Lee, an Oscar-winning filmmaker and past jury president, disclosed that his latest work, Highest 2 Lowest, will premiere in Cannes despite its absence from the initial lineup. This revelation came as no surprise to many, as Lee was expected to showcase his film, marking his fifth collaboration with Denzel Washington—his first since the 2006 film Inside Man. However, some anticipated filmmakers are notably absent this year. Lynne Ramsay, who has showcased all her previous works at Cannes, was predicted to present Die, My Love—a psychological thriller featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson—but the film is reportedly still in post-production and might not be ready in time. Additionally, Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother, starring Cate Blanchett and Adam Driver, was also anticipated to make an appearance but has yet to be confirmed for the competition.
Will Cannes Honor Another American Filmmaker?
Following Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or win for Anora last year, the question arises whether Cannes will recognize another American filmmaker this time around. It had been over a decade since an American director claimed the top prize before Baker, with Terrence Malick last achieving this honor in 2011 for The Tree of Life. This year’s competition sees prominent American directors such as Anderson, Aster, Linklater, and Reichardt vying for recognition. Should one of them secure a victory, it would mark the first consecutive wins for American filmmakers since Gus Van Sant and Michael Moore were awarded in 2003 and 2004 for Elephant and Fahrenheit 9/11, respectively.
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www.goldderby.com