On April 10, 2025, local time, Iris Knobloch, President of the Cannes Film Festival, and Thierry Frémaux, General Representative, attended the press conference. Image source: Visual China
At noon on April 10th local time, Iris Knobloch, President of the Cannes Film Festival in France, and Thierry Frémaux, General Representative, held a press conference in Paris to announce the film list of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, including the main competition unit.
"Wild Times," a new work by Chinese director Bi Gan that was previously rumored to be a possible nominee, did not appear on the list. This may be because the film was only completed two days ago on April 8, and the editing has not yet been completed.
Bi Gan’s new work “Wild Times” was just completed on April 8th.
The only Chinese film on the list is "Wind, Forest, Fire and Volcano" directed by Juno Mak, starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Lau Ching Wan, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Louis Koo, Gao Yuanyuan, etc., which is shortlisted for the midnight screening unit. The only East Asian work shortlisted for the main competition unit is "Renoir", the new work of Japanese director Chie Hayakawa, who directed "The Legend of the Ancient Sword", starring Yumi Kawai and Masaya Nakagawa.
"Wind, Forest, Fire and Volcano" was shortlisted for the midnight screening unit.
"Renoir" directed by Chie Hayakawa is the only East Asian work shortlisted for the main competition.
As in previous years, this year's Cannes main competition unit also has new works by famous directors and actors, including "House of Young Mothers" by the Belgian directors Dardenne brothers, who have won the Palme d'Or twice; "The Secret Agent" by Brazilian director Kleiber Mendoza Jr.; "A Simple Accident" by Iranian director Jafar Panahi;
Eddington, a contemporary western directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Austin Butler and Pedro Pascal;
the crime drama “Mastermind,” directed by Kelly Leicester and starring Josh O’Connor, Alana Haim and John Magaro;
Richard Lindlake's New Wave, which reveals the secrets behind Godard's first feature film, Breathless;
"The Phoenician Project" directed by Wes Anderson and starring Benicio Del Toro, Mia Seppleton, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, etc.;
"Emotional Value", the collaboration between Danish director Joachim Trier and Norwegian actor Renate Reinsf after "The Worst Man in the World";
Giulia Di Cuno’s new film “Alpha”, which won the Palme d’Or for “Titanium”;
"Pilgrimage" by Carla Simon, director of "Alcaraz", winner of the Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear Award, etc.
Stills from the Dardenne brothers' new film "Young Mothers' Home"
The Un Certain Regard section also features some highly anticipated works, including "A Pale Shadow of Hills," a new film by Japanese director Kei Ishikawa, who has directed "Book of Follies" and "A Certain Man," starring Suzu Hirose and Fumi Nikaido; and "The Marvelous Eleanor," Scarlett Johansson's debut feature film that she turned actor and director.
Scarlett Johansson's first feature film as a director, "Eleanor," has been shortlisted for the Un Certain Regard section.
In addition to the above works, the organizers have previously announced that Mission: Impossible 8, starring Tom Cruise, will hold its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. And this year's Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to the 81-year-old Hollywood actor Robert De Niro.
The 78th Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 13 to May 24. Famous French actress Juliette Binoche will serve as the president of the jury of the main competition unit.
【78th Cannes Film Festival Main Competition】
"The Day of Departure" Director: Emilie Bonin (France) - Opening Film
Mastermind Director: Kelly Leicester (USA)
"New Wave" Director: Richard Lindlake (USA)
The Phoenician Project Director: Wes Anderson (USA)
"Emotional Value" Director: Joachim Trier (Denmark)
The Secret Agent Director: Kleber Mendoza Jr. (Brazil)
"State Prosecutor" Director: Sergey Loznitsa (Belarus)
Near the End Director: Olivier Laxet (France)
Renoir Director: Chie Hayakawa (Japan)
Eddington Director: Ari Aster (USA)
Alpha, directed by Giulia Di Cuno (France)
Case 137 Director: Dominic Moore (Germany)
Eagle of the Republic Director: Tarek Saleh (Sweden)
Outside Director: Mario Martone (Italy)
"The Sound of Time" Director: Oliver Hermanus (South Africa)
"A Simple Accident" Director: Jafar Panahi (Iran)
The Youngest Daughter Director: Afsia Elchi (France)
"Pilgrimage" Director: Carla Simon (Spain)
The Sound of Falling Director: Martha Schlinsky (Germany)
"Young Mothers' Home" Director: Dardenne Brothers (Belgium)
