Today, the group of selected films for the independent festival sidebar, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, organized by the French Directors’ Guild and established back in 1969, have been announced!
We’ve compiled that exciting lineup alongside a bunch of synopses for the feature films so you’ll have an idea what each film is about ahead of the festival, which takes place from May 14 to 24.
FEATURE FILMS
Opening will be Robin Campillo‘s “Enzo“:
A 16-year-old boy who defies his bourgeois family’s expectations by starting a masonry apprenticeship where he meets a charismatic Ukrainian colleague who shakes up his world.
Valéry Carnoy‘s “Wild Foxes“:
At a boarding school specialising in sports, Camille, a young boxing star recently crowned French champion, is narrowly saved from a fatal accident by his best friend Matteo. As anxiety slowly gnaws away at him, he begins to question his passion for boxing and his close friendship with Matteo. Meanwhile, foxes in the forest surrounding the boarding school are running riot and start to cause trouble on school grounds.
READ MORE: Cannes 2025: New Films From Ari Aster, Joachim Trier, Wes Anderson, Scarlett Johansson
Félix Dufour-Laperrière‘s “Death Does Not Exist“:
After a failed armed attack on wealthy landowners, Hélène abandons her companions and flees into the forest. Manon, one of her friends and accomplices, returns to haunt her. Hélène has to revisit her convictions and choices, in a valley where metamorphoses and great upheavals disrupt the natural order of things.
Louise Hémon‘s “The Girl In The Snow“:
1899, one stormy night, Soudain’s inhabitants witness the arrival of Aimée, a young, secular and republican primary school teacher who is due to stay for the winter to teach a handful of children. But shortly after her arrival, an avalanche swallows up its first highlander…
Lee Sang-il‘s “Kokuho“:
Set after the war in Japan, when the country experienced rapid economic growth, Kikuo is born into a yakuza family. His strange fate leads him to be eventually taken in by a kabuki theater actor. He experiences turbulent times, but his talent as a kabuki actor blossoms.
Lloyd Lee Choi‘s “Lucky Lu“:
Based on Choi’s live-action short, “Same Old,” “Lucky Lu” tells the story of a Chinese delivery driver in New York City who discovers his e-bike has been stolen. With his family en route after many years apart, Lu must contend with a community that has turned its back on him while he tries to replace the only thing promising to keep his family afloat.
Yelizaveta Smith, Alina Gorlova & Simon Mozgovyi‘s “Militantropos“:
“Militantropos” investigates the powerful impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on personal behavior. The splendid chaos of war disrupts daily life, but gradually, people adjust to this change and destruction. What does it take to adjust to them and when does this adjustment become the resistance?
Jinghao Zhou‘s “Girl On Edge“:
A psychological thriller taking its cue from female rivalry within the world of competitive figure skating.
Antony Cordier‘s “Middle Class“:
Mehdi, 25, is invited to spend a quiet summer with his girlfriend Garance and his in-laws in the south of France. At first, Philippe and Laurence seem quite happy to welcome him in their villa and the summer looks promising. But soon, a conflict breaks out between Garance’s family and the villa’s caretakers couple. After 7 years of loyal service, Tony and Nadine have had enough of being discredited by their employers. They even threaten to take legal action against their illegal working conditions. As Mehdi comes from a modest background, he believes he can lead the negotiations between the two parties and bring everyone to their senses. But Tony and Philippe won’t give up so easily: from stealing vegetables to destroying Philippe’s vintage wine collection, their creativity is limitless! Mehdi must face the facts: the situation is now out of control. Unless an unforeseen event changes everything…
Christian Petzold‘s “Mirrors No. 3“:
A young piano student is involved in a car accident in which her boyfriend is killed. Miraculously, she survives the accident unharmed and is taken in by a family. She finds comfort and support in order to get her life back on track, but over time she notices that something is wrong with the family.
Prïncia Car‘s “The Girls We Want“:
Set in Marseille during the summer holidays, the film centres on a 20-something man and his longtime friends who work at a summer camp for children. When one returns after years away, it shakes up the group’s dynamic as they explore their values, desires, and sexuality.
Sean Byrne‘s “Dangerous Animals“:
A savvy and free-spirited surfer is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer. Held captive on his boat, she must figure out how to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below.
Anne Émond‘s “Peak Everything“:
Adam, a modest kennel owner overwhelmed by anxiety and a sense of hopelessness due to the growing climate crisis. His mundane life takes an unexpected turn when he speaks with Tina, a customer service representative of a company that sells light therapy lamps. Adam is immediately captivated by her, and his feelings quickly evolve into a deep affection. As a natural disaster threatens their world, he embarks on a daring quest to find Tina.
READ MORE: 64th Cannes Critics’ Week Selection Announced
Hasan Hadi‘s “The President’s Cake“:
It’s “draw day” across Iraq, when schools select students for the honour of bringing items to their mandatory local celebrations of President Saddam Hussein’s birthday. Nine-year-old Lamia lives in the historic marshes with her spirited grandmother, Bibi. Before school, Bibi teaches Lamia clever tricks to avoid being chosen for the president’s cake. However, when Musa, the authoritative teacher, calls Lamia’s name for the most challenging task—the birthday cake—she has no choice but to accept. Refusing could mean imprisonment or even death.
Back home, Lamia finds solace in her beloved pet rooster, Hindi, as she wrestles with the idea of lying. Ultimately, she confesses the truth to Bibi. Together, they prepare an ingredient list and, at dawn, set off for the city with their treasured belongings and Hindi in tow. Upon arrival, Lamia makes a startling discovery about Bibi’s plan. Soon, Lamia finds herself embarking on a quest filled with turbulence, unexpected joys, and heartfelt tears.
Thomas Ngijol‘s “Indomptables“:
In Yaoundé, Commissioner Billong is investigating the murder of a police officer. In the street as well as within his family, he struggles to maintain order. A man of principle and tradition, he is approaching the breaking point.
Yuiga Danzuka‘s “Brand New Landscape“:
A “little miracle from Japan” revolving around a sibling reunion years after the death of their mother.
Julia Kowalski‘s “Let My Will Be Done“:
Nawojka, a young woman struggling with her monstrous desire, convinced that she is struck by a strange hereditary curse and who will try to extricate herself from the family straitjacket through Sandra, her sulphurous neighbour who has returned to the village.
The closing film will be Eva Victor‘s “Sorry, Baby“:
Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on… for everyone around her, at least. When a beloved friend visits on the brink of a major milestone, Agnes starts to realize just how stuck she’s been and begins to work through how to move forward.
Below is also the group of short films that will be screening at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
SHORT FILMS
Gala Hernández López‘s “+10K“
Dorian Jespers‘ “Loynes“
Eve Liu‘s “Nervous Energy“
Alex Boya‘s “Bread Will Walk“
Samuel Suffren‘s “Blue Heart“
Eva Lusbaronian‘s “Death of The Fish“
Louris van de Geer‘s “The Body“
Ngọc Duy Lê‘s “Before The Sea Forgets“
Aleem Bukhari‘s “Karmash“
Arthur Gay‘s “When The Geese Flew“
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
