Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Unveils Selection

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The independent section of the Cannes Film Festival, known as the Directors‘ Fortnight, has revealed its program for the year 2025, showcasing innovative and director-driven films.

The French drama “Enzo,” directed by Laurent Cantet and Robin Campillo, is set to open the festival on May 14th. On the other hand, Eva Victor’s critically acclaimed film “Sorry, Baby” will conclude the event on May 24th.

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The French drama “Enzo,” directed by Laurent Cantet and Robin Campillo, is opening the festival on May 14th. In contrast, Eva Victor’s Sundance hit “Sorry, Baby” will be the closing film of the festival on May 24th.

Renowned German filmmaker Christian Petzold, known for movies like ‘Yella’, ‘Barbara’, and ‘Afire’, is set to make his Cannes Film Festival debut this year with ‘Miroirs No. 3’. In this film, Paula Beer, a familiar face in Petzold’s work, portrays an ambitious pianist whose life takes an unexpected turn after she miraculously emerges from a car accident and is welcomed into the home of strangers who vow to care for her. Last year, Metrograph Pictures acquired the North American rights for this intriguing film.

Other notable highlights during this period feature: “Peak Everything,” a heartwarming bilingual romantic comedy directed by Anne Émond, which revolves around a kennel owner who falls in love with a customer service representative over the phone and embarks on a journey to meet her; “Kokuho,” a three-hour epic film from Lee Sang-il, set within the realm of Kabuki theater in Japan; the fantasy drama, “The President’s Cake,” directed by Hasan Hadi and set in Iraq; and the chilling shark-themed serial killer movie, “Dangerous Animals,” helmed by Sean Byrne.

The Directors’ Fortnight, initiated by the French Directors’ Guild in 1969 following the student and labor demonstrations that disrupted and eventually halted the 1968 Cannes Film Festival, operates as an autonomous event that coincides with the main festival in Cannes.

Previously known for being a non-competitive event, Directors’ Fortnight recently introduced the Chantal Akerman Audience Award last year. This prize is named after the renowned Belgian filmmaker who directed “Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.” The award is decided by both industry professionals and attendees, as well as regular moviegoers. Last year’s first recipient was “Universal Language,” a surrealist dramedy directed by Matthew Rankin from Canada.

This year, Directors’ Fortnight will honor American filmmaker Todd Haynes by presenting him with the Carrosse d’Or award, a lifetime achievement recognition from the French Film Directors’ Guild. The ceremony will take place during the section’s opening event on May 14.

The 2025 Directors’ Fortnight runs May 14-24. Below is its full lineup.

FEATURE FILMS

Enzo, Dirs. Laurent Cantet, Robin Campillo (Opening Film)

Brand New Landscape, Dir. Yuiga Danzuka

Death Does Not Exist, Dir. Félix Dufour-Laperrière

Dangerous Animals, Dir. Sean Byrne

The Foxes Round, Dir. Valery Carnoy

The Girl in the Snow, Dir. Louise Hémon

Girl on Edge, Dir. Jinghao Zhao

The Girls We Want, Dir., Prïncia Car

Indomptables, Dir. Thomas Ngijol

Kokuho, Dir. Lee Sang-il

Lucky Lu, Dir. Lloyd Lee Choi

Militantropos, Dirs. Maksym Nakonechnyi,. Simon Mozgovyi. Alina Gorlova

Miroirs No. 3, Dir. Christian Petzold

Middle Class, Dir. Anthony Cordier

Peak Everything, Dir. Anne Émond

The President’s Cake, Dir. Hasan Hadi

Que Ma Volonté Soit Faite, Dir. Julia Kowalski

Sorry, Baby, Dir. Eva Victor (Closing Film)

SHORT FILMS

+10 k, Dir. Gala Hernadnez Lopez

Before the Sea Forgets, Dir. Ngoc Duy Le

The Body, Dir. Louris van de Geer

Bread Will Walk, Dir. Alex Boya

Blue Heart, Dir. Damuel Suffren

Death of a Fish, Eva Lusbaronian

Karmash, Dir. Aleem Bukhari

Loynes, Dir. Dorian Jespers

Nervous Energy, Dir. Eve Liu

When the Geese Flew, Dir. Arthur Gay

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2025-04-15 12:54