Cannes Film Festival lineup revealed with Wes Anderson and Ari Aster in competition

Nineteen films announced for main competition at Cannes 2025, featuring global auteurs and rising voices.

The festival logo is displayed during a press conference announcing the official selection for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, held at the UGC Montparnasse cinema in Paris on April 10, 2025. Photo by Bertrand Guay/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 lineup revealed this week has film enthusiasts buzzing, as nineteen films are now officially confirmed to compete in the prestigious main competition. The 78th edition of the world-renowned festival is set to begin on May 13, returning once again to the sun-drenched French Riviera with all the grandeur and cinematic excellence that Cannes has come to represent.

With directors like Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Julia Ducournau among the standout names, this year’s main competition promises a diverse array of international voices, emotionally resonant stories, and bold new visions in film.

Cannes artistic director Thierry Frémaux announced the selection at a press conference in Paris, while also noting that a few more titles will be added in the coming weeks. The current selection spans continents and genres—from introspective dramas and period pieces to genre-defying thrillers and political commentaries—demonstrating that the Cannes Film Festival 2025 lineup revealed a truly global cinematic scope.

Wes Anderson returns to Cannes with ‘The Phoenician Scheme’

American auteur Wes Anderson headlines the list with The Phoenician Scheme, a stylish spy comedy featuring a star-studded cast: Benicio Del Toro, Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and Mia Threapleton (daughter of Kate Winslet). Known for his visually distinct and narratively playful films, Anderson’s return to the Croisette is highly anticipated. This latest work is expected to blend dry wit and espionage in classic Andersonian fashion, adding color and quirk to the Cannes 2025 film selection.

Ari Aster makes Cannes debut with pandemic Western

One of the most intriguing entries is Eddington, a surreal pandemic-era Western by Ari Aster, marking his first appearance in the official selection. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone, the film explores themes of grief and solitude in a remote Western landscape under lockdown. Aster, best known for psychological horror hits like Hereditary and Midsommar, promises a darker, moodier turn for Cannes, making his debut in the main competition a landmark moment in his career.

Jafar Panahi quietly enters the fold with ‘A Simple Accident’

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi—known both for his daring cinematic work and political defiance—returns with A Simple Accident. Festival director Frémaux told reporters that Panahi had asked not to reveal anything about the film, suggesting the director still faces pressures in his home country. This minimalist entry adds a layer of quiet tension to the Cannes official selection 2025, symbolizing the intersection of film and freedom of expression.

Dardenne brothers explore motherhood with ‘Young Mothers’

Veteran Belgian directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, two-time Palme d’Or winners, present Young Mothers. Set in a maternity home, the film follows five young women navigating motherhood and social systems in modern Belgium. True to the Dardennes' signature style, this film is expected to be intimate, humanistic, and socially conscious—qualities that often resonate with Cannes juries.

Julia Ducournau’s new film ‘Alpha’ adds sci-fi edge

French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, who won the Palme d’Or in 2021 for the body horror masterpiece Titane, returns with Alpha. While plot details are tightly under wraps, the film is rumored to explore futuristic themes of identity and evolution. With her bold, provocative style, Ducournau's return is one of the most anticipated elements of the Cannes 2025 lineup.

Other notable films in competition

Among the other films in this year’s main competition are entries from globally recognized directors and up-and-coming talent:

All We Imagine as Light by Payal Kapadia (India)
The Shrouds by David Cronenberg (Canada)
Grand Tour by Miguel Gomes (Portugal)
L’Histoire de Souleymane by Boris Lojkine (France)
The Apprentice by Ali Abbasi (Iran/Denmark), a political drama rumored to feature a young Donald Trump

This rich diversity underscores the festival's commitment to cinematic excellence across a wide variety of cultures and perspectives.

A few surprises still to come

Thierry Frémaux hinted during his announcement that more films would be added in the coming days. He emphasized that the selection remains fluid to accommodate last-minute submissions and unforeseen surprises. This flexibility ensures the Cannes 2025 film selection remains dynamic and inclusive, always welcoming groundbreaking new work from both established masters and fresh voices.

Cannes continues to spotlight political and cultural dialogues

The Cannes Film Festival has long served as a global stage not only for cinematic artistry but also for cultural reflection and political dialogue. With entries from Iran, India, and war-torn regions, the 2025 edition continues this tradition. Panahi’s quiet resistance, Aster’s post-pandemic meditation, and Abbasi’s politically charged narrative promise to stir conversations that extend far beyond the Palais des Festivals.

A celebration of global cinema and creativity

As always, the Croisette will be abuzz with red carpets, standing ovations, and whispers of Palme d’Or predictions. But beneath the glamour lies a deep reverence for storytelling, risk-taking, and pushing the boundaries of cinematic form. The Cannes Film Festival 2025 lineup revealed this week confirms that the event is more than just a showcase—it's a celebration of creative vision from around the world.

With May 13 fast approaching, cinephiles, critics, and filmmakers alike will now turn their eyes to the French Riviera, eager to discover what surprises the 78th Cannes Film Festival has in store. As always, the films, performances, and conversations sparked here are sure to resonate across the global cinematic landscape for years to come.