The 78th Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 13th to May 24th, 2025. On Thursday, April 10th, the festival unveiled its first official selections, with three Japanese films making the cut. As usual, additional films will be announced later, so stay tuned for updates.
Director Chie Hayakawa's Renoir Selected for Competition Section
Among the selected Japanese films, Renoir by director Chie Hayakawa has been chosen for the prestigious Competition Section, where it will compete for the Palme d'Or. The film, which centers on the summer of an 11-year-old girl, will be released nationwide on June 20th, 2025. For a sneak peek, check out the film’s trailer on YouTube.
Other Japanese Films in the Festival
In addition to Renoir, Kei Ishikawa’s Distant Light of the Mountains has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section, showcasing its unique narrative in the Cannes spotlight. Meanwhile, Exit 8, directed by Genki Kawamura, will be featured in the Midnight Screenings section.
Competition Section Lineup
This year's competition section boasts a strong lineup, including well-known directors such as Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Richard Linklater. Alongside Renoir, the competition features films like The Phoenician Scheme by Wes Anderson and Eddington by Ari Aster, to name a few.
Un Certain Regard Section
Kei Ishikawa’s Distant Light of the Mountains is one of the standout films in the Un Certain Regard section, with a captivating story adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel. The section also includes international entries like My Father’s Shadow by Akinola Davis Jr. and Homebound by Harris Dickinson.
Midnight Screenings
Exit 8, directed by Genki Kawamura, is part of the Midnight Screenings lineup, set to be released in Japan on August 29th, 2025. The section also features films like Sons of the Neon Night by Juno Mak.
Out of Competition and Special Screenings
The festival will also showcase Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning and Colours of Time by Cédric Klapisch as part of the Out of Competition section. Special screenings include Bono: Stories of Surrender, a documentary by U2’s Bono, available on Apple TV+ from May 30th, 2025.
Jury and Opening Screening
The Competition Jury, which will decide the Palme d'Or, will be headed by renowned French actress Juliette Binoche. The opening screening will feature Partir un Jour, a new comedy-drama by French director Amelie Bonin.
Honorary Palme d'Or
This year’s Honorary Palme d'Or will be awarded to legendary actor Robert De Niro, adding a special touch to the festival's celebrations.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the highly anticipated 78th Cannes Film Festival!
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