Featured names: Ava Cahen, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Daniel Kaluuya, Jihane Bougrine, Josée Deshaies, Yulia Evina Bhara, Laura Wandel, Martin Jauvat, Alice Douard, Léa Drucker, Anamaria Vartolomei, William Lebghil, Emmanuelle Bercot, Ella Rumpf, Monia Chokri.
The 64th Critics’ Week returns to the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 with a dynamic program curated by Ava Cahen, its General Delegate. Once again, the section puts the spotlight on bold new filmmakers and emotionally resonant stories.
This year’s program highlights the diversity and vitality of emerging cinema, with 11 feature films and 13 shorts selected from a record-breaking number of submissions: over 1,000 features and 2,340 shorts. The short film lineup will be revealed on April 17.
A High-Caliber Jury for a Cutting-Edge Selection
Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen, known for his gripping and socially charged cinema, will head the Critics’ Week jury. He will be joined by a prestigious international panel:
- Daniel Kaluuya, British actor and Academy Award winner,
- Jihane Bougrine, Moroccan film critic,
- Josée Deshaies, French-Canadian cinematographer,
- Yulia Evina Bhara, Indonesian film producer.
They will present the following awards:
- Leitz Cine Discovery Prize (Best Short Film)
- Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award
- French Touch Jury Prize
- AMI Paris Grand Prize
Opening Film: Laura Wandel Returns With a Bold Drama
The week opens with Adam’s Interest, the much-anticipated second feature by Belgian director Laura Wandel. Known for her debut Playground, Wandel offers another emotionally charged portrait—this time within a pediatric hospital—focusing on a struggling mother, her malnourished son, and a compassionate nurse. Featuring Léa Drucker and Anamaria Vartolomei, the film promises intensity and nuance.
French Comedies in the Spotlight
Two very different French comedies will screen as special events:
- Baise-en-ville by Martin Jauvat is a delightfully absurd road comedy where a young drifter attempts to pass his driving test. With Jauvat himself in the lead, the film also stars William Lebghil and Emmanuelle Bercot. It’s a funny, offbeat look at ambition, identity, and detours.
- Proofs of Love by Alice Douard is a heartfelt comedic drama about a married couple expecting a child—one partner is pregnant, the other must legally adopt the baby. With standout performances by Ella Rumpf and Monia Chokri, this debut film blends humor and emotion while exploring queer parenthood with charm and sincerity.
The 2025 Critics’ Week promises to be one of the most exciting editions yet—celebrating the cinema of tomorrow with compelling narratives, striking visuals, and a fierce dedication to new voices.
