Cannes Award Winners 2025!

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival concluded on May 24, 2025, celebrating global cinema with a diverse array of films and talents. Below is a comprehensive list of the major award winners, along with the significance of their achievements:

Main Competition Awards

Palme d’Or: It Was Just an Accident by Jafar Panahi
Significance: This win marks a triumphant return for Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who had faced a 15-year travel ban lifted in 2023. The film, a satirical drama inspired by stories Panahi heard in Evin Prison, critiques the Iranian regime and centers on a group seeking justice for past torture.

Grand Prix: Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier
Significance: A Norwegian-French-German co-production, this film explores familial bonds and personal identity, showcasing Trier’s continued excellence in storytelling.

Jury Prize (tie): Sirât by Oliver Laxe and Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski
Significance: Both films were recognized for their unique narratives and artistic merit, highlighting the festival’s appreciation for diverse storytelling.

Best Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho for The Secret Agent
Significance: Filho’s direction in this espionage thriller was lauded for its compelling narrative and stylistic execution.

Best Actor: Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent
Significance: Moura’s performance was praised for its depth and intensity, contributing significantly to the film’s impact.

Best Actress: Nadia Melliti for The Little Sister
Significance: Melliti’s portrayal was noted for its emotional resonance and authenticity.

Best Screenplay: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young Mothers
Significance: The Dardenne brothers were recognized for their compelling script that delves into the complexities of motherhood.

Special Prize: Resurrection by Bi Gan
Significance: This award acknowledges Bi Gan’s innovative storytelling and cinematic vision.

Un Certain Regard Awards

Un Certain Regard Prize: The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo by Diego Céspedes
Significance: This Chilean drama, set in a remote mining town in 1984, explores themes of fear and prejudice, marking Céspedes’s feature debut.

Jury Prize: A Poet by Simón Mesa Soto
Significance: Recognized for its poetic narrative and strong direction.

Best Director: Tarzan and Arab Nasser for Once Upon a Time in Gaza
Significance: The Nasser brothers were honored for their compelling direction in this poignant film.

Best Actor: Frank Dillane for Urchin
Significance: Dillane’s performance was commended for its depth and nuance.

Best Actress: Cleo Diára for I Only Rest in the Storm
Significance: Diára’s portrayal was celebrated for its emotional intensity.

Best Screenplay: Harry Lighton for Pillion
Significance: Lighton’s script was recognized for its originality and compelling narrative.

🎥 Other Notable Awards

Caméra d’Or: The President’s Cake by Hasan Hadi
Significance: Awarded for the best first feature film, highlighting Hadi’s promising directorial debut.

Short Film Palme d’Or: I’m Glad You’re Dead Now by Tawfeek Barhom
Significance: Recognized for its impactful storytelling in the short film category.

La Cinef First Prize: Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know… by Chidananda S Naik (FTII, Pune, India)
Significance: This win underscores the global recognition of emerging talents from India.

Honorary Palme d’Or: Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington
Significance: Both actors were honored for their outstanding contributions to cinema.

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival showcased a rich tapestry of global cinema, highlighting stories that resonate with contemporary audiences and affirming the festival’s commitment to diverse and impactful storytelling.

Drafted by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer