Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025 for It Was Just an Accident, a powerful revenge thriller inspired by his prison experience. Presented by Cate Blanchett, the award marked a major moment for the dissident director, who has long defied censorship in Iran. Greeted with a standing ovation, Panahi called for freedom and artistic expression. His win extends distributor Neon’s Palme streak and highlights the power of cinema as a form of resistance.

While A-list stars like Scarlett Johansson and Tom Cruise dazzled on the red carpet at Cannes, a far more unexpected figure made headlines this week: Kevin Spacey. Absent from the festival since 2016 and still shadowed by multiple misconduct allegations, Spacey returned—not as an official guest, but to accept an award at a side gala unaffiliated with the festival. His surprise appearance reignited controversy and raised eyebrows across the Riviera.

The Cannes Film Festival isn’t just a celebration of cinema—it’s a global fashion spectacle. From dramatic gowns to tailored perfection, the 2025 red carpet dazzled with elegance, bold choices, and unforgettable glamour. A-list stars, emerging talents, and international icons brought their fashion A-game to the Croisette, making headlines with every step. Whether classic black tie or avant-garde couture, these looks captured the magic and style of the world’s most glamorous f

Each May, the Cannes Film Festival turns the French Riviera into a catwalk of cinematic prestige and high fashion. But beyond the glitz lies a strict dress code. From mandatory tuxedos and heels on the red carpet to bans on flats, sheer outfits, and oversized gowns, Cannes enforces its fashion rules seriously. While some standards are relaxing, tradition still reigns. At Cannes, what you wear is part of the story—sometimes as much as the films themselves.

Julia Ducournau returned to Cannes with Alpha, earning a powerful 11.5-minute standing ovation. The mother-daughter thriller, starring Golshifteh Farahani and Emma Mackey, mixes surreal drama with body horror in a story about a mysterious infection. A real-life medical emergency briefly disrupted the screening, but the film continued. Ducournau, still celebrated for her Palme d’Or-winning Titane, was visibly emotional during the premiere, thanking the crowd with tears and a h

In Eagles of the Republic, Tarik Saleh concludes his Cairo trilogy with a gripping tale of coercion and control. Fares Fares plays George Fahmy, a beloved actor forced to star in a propaganda film about President El-Sisi. What starts as satire turns into a tense thriller as he faces threats, censorship, and betrayal. Mixing dark humor with sharp political critique, Saleh delivers a chilling look at life under authoritarian rule—where even fame offers no escape.

Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme premiered at Cannes to mixed reviews, earning a 2.3 average on the Screen jury grid. Benicio Del Toro stars as Zsa-Zsa Korda, a shady billionaire pushing an absurd infrastructure plan in 1950s Europe. With lush visuals, a sprawling ensemble cast, and Anderson’s trademark style, the film drew comparisons to Elon Musk and Donald Trump. While critics were divided, many praised Del Toro’s performance and Anderson’s return to focused, character

Jennifer Lawrence electrified Cannes with Die, My Love, Lynne Ramsay’s haunting adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s novel. The film, about a woman spiraling into psychosis, received a six-minute ovation and left audiences breathless with its raw intensity. Lawrence’s unflinching performance and Ramsay’s bold direction marked a powerful return to the Croisette. With Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, and Sissy Spacek in tow, Die, My Love is now a major Palme d’Or contender.

The Cannes Film Festival has barred French actor Théo Navarro-Mussy from the red carpet premiere of Dossier 137 due to ongoing sexual assault allegations. Although his case was dropped for lack of evidence, the accusers plan to appeal. Festival director Thierry Frémaux confirmed the move, aligning Cannes with stricter industry standards post-#MeToo. Navarro-Mussy denies wrongdoing but says he understands the decision, while concern about industry abuse continues to mount.

Tom Cruise returned to Cannes with Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning, the epic finale to his nearly 30-year run as Ethan Hunt. Premiering May 14, the film opens with dense exposition and a high-stakes battle against a rogue AI. While its first act stumbles, the film soars with jaw-dropping action set pieces—from deep-sea dives to daring biplane chases. If this is Cruise’s last mission, it’s a bold, bombastic farewell that proves he’s still Hollywood’s ultimate action hero

The 78th Cannes Film Festival opened with glamour and gravitas, welcoming stars like Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Quentin Tarantino. DiCaprio presented De Niro with an honorary Palme d’Or, calling him “the archetype actor,” while De Niro used his speech to denounce Trump’s proposed film tariffs. The festival also featured tributes to Ukraine and premiered Leave One Day, setting a dynamic tone for 12 days of cinema, politics, and powerful storytelling.

Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut at Cannes 2025 with Eleanor the Great, starring June Squibb and Erin Kellyman.