2025 Cannes Must-Watch: 6 Celebrated Films | Cinemaworld
With the recent release of the Official Selection, the 78th Cannes Film Festival is back in full swing. The riviera comes alive again in celebration of diversity and new works from acclaimed directors. From Ari Aster's "Eddington," Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme," Richard Linklater's "Nouvelle Vague." and 2021 Palme d'Or winner, Julia Ducournau’s "Alpha”, film fanatics are in for an exciting showdown for the Palme d'Or. This year’s festival is also marked by a strong female presence, with 6 out of 19 of the In Competition films being directed by women directors.
In more star-studded action, Scarlett Johansson and Harris Dickinson present their directorial debuts with "Eleanor the Great" and "Urchin," respectively in the Un Certain Regard category. Serving as jury president is award-winning, critically-acclaimed French actress, Juliette Binoche. Robert De Niro is also set to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the opening ceremony.
Running from 13 to 24 May 2025, let us countdown to the world’s largest film festival with CinemaWorld’s Cannes Must-watch list this May.
Under The Fig Trees
Director’s Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival 2022
Under The Fig Trees, young and old, men and women - flirt, conspire and exchange snatches of gossip while toiling in the gorgeous Tunisian sunlight.The first fiction feature written, directed and produced by filmmaker Erige Sehiri was part of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Director’s Fortnight. A poignant coming-of-age film that peeks into the lives of fig pickers.
Particles
Golden Camera Nominee, Cannes Film Festival 2019
A directorial debut that was nominated for the 2019 Cannes Film Festival’s Golden Camera, Blaise Harrison’s Particles is a coming-of-age sci-fi film that follows the life of P.A., a final year high schooler and his friends. Little do they know that right beneath their feet stands a powerful particle accelerator that is trying to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang. As the earth underneath churns, turning the world around them, P.A. and his friends experience a collision of hopes, fears and desires.
Djam
Official Selection, Cannes Film Festival 2017
Screened as part of a cinema concert held at the Cinéma de la Plage, Cannes veteran Tony Gatlif’s fifth Cannes premiere Djam follows the titular character and her newfound friend, Avril, on a lively, music-filled journey across Turkey. A “lusty musical road movie” that hits home with the good feels, add Djam to your Cannes must-watch list.
Commitment Hasan
Un Certain Regard Nominee, Cannes Film Festival 2021
Farmer Hasan is at a crossroads between challenges and new opportunities. A high-voltage mast can end up in the middle of his fertile and cultivated land. But can this invasion of modernity be resolved now that the neighbouring plot is for sale?
A 2021 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard Nominee, Commitment Hasan was inspired by true characters Turkish film director, Semih Kaplanoglu, met on his journey in Anatolia.
One Floor Below
Un Certain Regard Award Nominee, Cannes Film Festival 2015
How long can he keep silent about the crime before his conscience haunts every waking moment?
Patrascu, the sole unfortunate witness to a domestic quarrel-turned murder, now finds himself torn between the truth and his conscience. Nominated for the Un Certain Regard Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, this psychological mystery, One Floor Below was inspired by a real news event. Don’t miss!
Love At First Fight
C.I.C.A.E. Award, SACD Prize (Director’s Fortnight), FIPRESCI Prize, Cannes Film Festival 2014
“Aggression, not affection, sparks romance in Les Combattants (Love At First Fight), a promising feature debut that already had members of the French film establishment touting newcomer Thomas Cailley as the next big thing.”
—Variety
As an outstanding debut feature, Love At First Fight was recognised with the C.I.C.A.E. Award, SACD Prize (Director’s Fortnight), FIPRESCI Prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. A beautiful coming-of-age love story between a small-town college drop-out, Arnaud (Kévin Azaïs), and the apocalyptic-minded Madeleine (Adèle Haenel) begins in an army bootcamp. In the thick of gruelling military training, the pair finds strength and solace in fighting alongside one another.
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