Movie legends from Tom Cruise to Denzel Washington are gathering in Cannes this week for the 78th edition of the prestigious film festival, as the film industry navigates uncertainty surrounding audience engagement and the looming threat of new U.S. tariffs. Cruise is set to premiere what is being billed as the final installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, while other filmmakers hope to replicate the awards-season success of previous Cannes winners like “Anora,” which won the Palme d’Or in 2024 and later secured five Oscars.
Robert De Niro will be honored with a lifetime achievement award, and a number of high-profile actors will step behind the camera this year. Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Stewart, and Harris Dickinson are each presenting directorial efforts in the festival’s smaller competition sections. Meanwhile, the main jury, led by French actress Juliette Binoche and joined by Halle Berry among others, will be closely watched as they select the winning films.
Just days before the festival began, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned the film world by announcing a proposed 100% tariff on foreign-produced films. While the implications remain unclear, the announcement has sent shockwaves through studio boardrooms. Although the festival’s public messaging remains focused on cinema and celebration, behind closed doors the potential impact of such trade measures has become a constant topic of discussion.
Despite these anxieties, Cannes remains a platform for high-profile debuts. U.S. director Wes Anderson is unveiling his latest feature, “The Phoenician Scheme,” in competition alongside independent entries like Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” and Julia Ducournau’s “Alpha.” Outside of the main competition, Spike Lee’s new film “Highest 2 Lowest,” starring Denzel Washington, will also be screened.
This year’s program reflects global tensions through art. A special “Ukraine Day” will highlight three films about the ongoing war, drawing attention to the human stories behind headlines. One of the most anticipated screenings is “Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk,” a documentary centered on 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza just a day after the film’s selection was announced for the ACID programme. All seats for the screening have already sold out, underlining the powerful intersection of cinema and world affairs.
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