The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival began in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, with a glittering display of stars, filmmakers, and political discourse, as the world’s premier cinema event kicked off in the glamorous French Riviera town of Cannes. This year’s festival promises to be one of the most exciting yet, as a wide array of top-tier filmmakers, megawatt premieres, and political intrigue converged to make the 2025 festival an unforgettable occasion for movie lovers and industry professionals alike.
Among the stars who graced the red carpet was Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the ever-present Quentin Tarantino, all of whom made their mark at the event. The festival’s opening ceremony set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating twelve days, with numerous highly anticipated films, including Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, and Ari Aster’s Eddington, premiering at the prestigious event.
One of the most memorable moments of the opening night came when DiCaprio, who has been a regular presence at Cannes over the years, presented his longtime collaborator and friend, Robert De Niro, with an honorary Palme d’Or. The moment was symbolic of their decades-long partnership, and it marked the 49th anniversary of De Niro’s iconic film Taxi Driver, which won the Palme d’Or in 1976. DiCaprio took to the stage to laud De Niro as “the archetype actor,” paying tribute to his immense contributions to the film industry, before presenting him with the esteemed award. In an emotional gesture, De Niro, upon receiving the Palme d’Or, thanked his friend with a heartfelt “Thanks, kiddo.” The duo’s longstanding professional bond and personal friendship were on full display, as the crowd erupted in a standing ovation.
As the applause for De Niro echoed throughout the theater, the actor took the microphone and made a pointed statement on U.S. politics. Known for his vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump, De Niro used his platform to express his concerns about the state of the American government and its treatment of the arts. He addressed the recent proposal by Trump to impose a 100% tariff on films made outside the United States, a move that sparked widespread concern in the film industry. “Art is the truth. Art embraces diversity. And that’s why art is a threat to the autocrats and the fascists of the world,” De Niro said. He continued, calling out the former president’s actions, saying, “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of America’s premier cultural institutions. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities, and education. And now he announced a 100% tariff on films made outside the United States. You can’t put a price on connectivity.”
The opening ceremony of Cannes also featured a grand entrance from Tarantino, who boldly declared the festival open before dropping the mic and walking offstage in true Tarantino fashion. Tarantino’s presence at Cannes is always a highlight, as the director’s unique style and love for cinema make him a beloved figure at the festival. He will also be paying tribute to legendary Western filmmaker George Sherman later in the week.
The evening’s festivities were rounded out by the screening of Leave One Day, a French romance directed by Amélie Bonnin, which marked the festival’s first film debut. In addition to the opening ceremony, other key events included a special three-film salute to Ukraine, showcasing the ongoing struggles in the country through documentary films. The films Zelensky, Notre Guerre by Bernard-Henri Lévy, and 2000 Meters to Andriivka by Mstyslav Chernov were featured as part of a poignant reminder of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the role of cinema in documenting global conflicts.
This year’s Cannes also marks the 100th anniversary of Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, which was restored and presented to festival attendees. Chaplin’s film remains one of the most significant works in cinema history, and its centenary provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on the legacy of one of Hollywood’s greatest icons. The restoration of The Gold Rush was met with a great deal of excitement, as it was a chance for newer generations to experience this groundbreaking film in a new light.
Cannes 2025 is coming off the success of the 2024 festival, which saw a number of films that would later become Oscar contenders, including Emilia Pérez, The Substance, Flow, and last year’s Palme d’Or winner Anora. Thierry Frémaux, the festival director, expressed confidence that this year’s event would meet the high expectations set by previous years, although he also humorously remarked that the only kind of pressure he believes in is the kind found in beer taps.
However, the festival’s opening was marred by the legal troubles of Gérard Depardieu, one of France’s most famous actors. Depardieu was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a 2021 film set and was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence. Depardieu, a fixture at Cannes for many years, was absent from the event, but his conviction was a notable point of discussion as it cast a shadow over the celebrations.
As the festival unfolds, tensions surrounding politics and global issues are also playing out alongside the cinematic festivities. This year’s festival comes amidst calls for action in response to the escalating violence in Gaza. On Tuesday, over 350 filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals, including Richard Gere, Pedro Almodovar, and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter calling for cinema institutions to respond more forcefully to what they called “genocide in Gaza.” The letter highlighted the role of filmmakers, artists, and journalists in documenting the ongoing crisis and underscored the responsibility of the cultural sector to engage with global issues.
This year’s festival has also brought controversy regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ rights and protest actions. With new rules in place limiting the types of attire allowed on the red carpet, some participants have expressed frustration over the exclusion of LGBTQ+ pride flags and the restriction on long trains for dresses. In one notable example, Halle Berry shared that she had to “pivot” on her dress choice due to the new rules but ultimately supported the decision to ban nudity on the red carpet.
As Cannes continues to bring attention to pressing global issues, the competition for the coveted Palme d’Or heats up. A total of 22 films are vying for the prestigious award, including works from renowned filmmakers like Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Lynne Ramsay, and Joachim Trier. Also included in the competition are debut films by prominent actors-turned-directors, including Harris Dickinson’s Urchin, Kristen Stewart’s The Chronology of Water, and Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great.
While the festival remains focused on honoring the best of cinema, the presence of geopolitical tensions, the #MeToo movement, and concerns over the protection of human rights adds layers of complexity to this year’s edition. In this charged environment, Cannes is not just a celebration of film but also a platform for artists, filmmakers, and industry professionals to voice their concerns, challenge the status quo, and call for change.
As we move into the heart of the festival, all eyes are on the final round of competition and the possibility of seeing a new film that will define this year’s cinematic landscape. Cannes 2025 promises to be a memorable event, one that will showcase the best of filmmaking while addressing the pressing issues of our time. The 78th Cannes Film Festival is not just a celebration of cinema but a reflection of the power of art to challenge, engage, and inspire change across the globe.
