Cannes Didn’t Invite Him—Kevin Spacey Just Showed Up

As the 2025 Cannes Film Festival continues to host some of the most prominent names in global cinema—among them Scarlett Johansson, Tom Cruise, and Robert De Niro—one notable and controversial figure has reappeared in the spotlight: Kevin Spacey. The Oscar-winning actor returned to Cannes this week for the first time since 2016, though notably not as an official guest of the festival, reported by Vanity Fair.

Spacey’s visit to the French Riviera was not affiliated with the Cannes Film Festival itself. Instead, he attended and received an award during a private gala hosted by the Better World Fund, an organization that holds cultural events in parallel with the festival to support global causes. Held at the renowned Carlton Hotel, the gala honored Spacey with an award for “excellence in film and television,” and included a charity auction benefiting filmmaker Mira Nair’s Salaam Baalak Trust, which aids street children in India.

In response to public speculation, the Cannes Film Festival issued a formal statement distancing itself from the event and Spacey’s presence:

“The Cannes Film Festival is not involved in, nor has it been informed of, the invitation to Mr. Spacey or the prize awarded to him during a private event.”

The Better World Fund, however, stood by its decision. “Kevin’s extraordinary contributions to the art of filmmaking have left an impression on audiences and filmmakers alike,” said Manuel Collas de La Roche, president and founder of the organization. “His talent, depth, and commitment to storytelling exemplify the transformative power of film.”

During his acceptance speech, Spacey took the opportunity to speak at length about his professional challenges and legal battles, describing the last several years as a “witch hunt.” He drew historical comparisons to the McCarthy-era Hollywood blacklist and cited the example of Kirk Douglas supporting screenwriter Dalton Trumbo during that period. “The blacklist was a terrible chapter in our history, and we must make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Spacey said.

The actor also expressed gratitude to his professional peers who have publicly voiced support for his return to the industry. Though he did not name anyone specifically during his remarks, previous supporters have included F. Murray Abraham, Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson, Stephen Fry, and Brian Cox.

Though Spacey has largely remained absent from major Hollywood productions since the first allegations surfaced in 2017, he has participated in smaller international film projects, including The Man Who Drew God (2022) and more recent titles such as Peter Five Eight and The Contract. His latest film, The Awakening, a low-budget thriller, is currently seeking distribution through the Marché du Film—the Cannes Film Festival’s official film market—which also explains his presence in Cannes.

Meanwhile, the public conversation surrounding Spacey remains polarized. In 2023, he was acquitted by a London jury following multiple accusations of sexual assault. The year prior, a U.S. jury found him not liable in a civil suit filed by actor Anthony Rapp. Nevertheless, a 2024 documentary series, Spacey Unmasked, reignited public scrutiny, offering testimonies from several individuals who accused the actor of misconduct. The series concluded with a statement from Spacey, asserting that he had been given insufficient time to respond to the allegations and reiterating his consistent denials and legal vindications.

While Spacey’s appearance was not part of the official Cannes lineup, his presence in the city has reignited broader conversations about accountability, redemption, and the boundaries of reintegration into the public sphere. Whether this signals a return to more mainstream recognition or remains a symbolic gesture within a limited circle of support remains to be seen.