This year’s Cannes Film Festival is unlike any others in history. That is to say, this year’s event is nothing more than a simple list of “Official Selections,” with no in-person screenings, no post-screening press conferences, and no awards ceremony. Just a list. That being said, the list is still very important, as it’s a badge of honor for films that are graced with the “Official Selection” moniker. And according to a new letter (via Variety) written by Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux, this year’s group of films is just as exciting as previous years, even if the festival isn’t the same.
“The selection is here, and it is beautiful,” said Fremaux. “It says that film, which disappeared from theaters for three months in 2020, and for the first time since they were created by the Lumiere (brothers) on Dec. 28, 1895, is more alive than ever.”
While we won’t know the full list of selections until tomorrow, the festival director did hint that there will be quite a few films from new directors amongst the list, sitting side-by-side with films that are highly-anticipated. It’s being reported that 15 selections are from first-time filmmakers, comprising more than a quarter of all the selections.
“It is the vocation of festivals, like Cannes, to put emerging talent on the world map,” Fremaux said. “Never has the Official Selection included so many young filmmakers. It’s the proof of the creative vitality of film, as well as the festival’s engagement towards the future.”
And for those that are keeping track of the number of female filmmakers, as Cannes has been criticized in years past for not striving for better gender parity among its Official Selections, the 2020 list will have more female filmmakers than 2019, but barely, with 16 features selected (just two more than last year). That being said, the number of films submitted by female filmmakers for 2020 totaled only 532, compared to the 579 from last year. So, percentage-wise, it’s more of an improvement than you might think.
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“The presence of female filmmakers is the fruit of an evolution observed these past several years,” said the Cannes boss. “It underscores in number and value that artistic and human contribution of women in contemporary cinema, whether they are directors and crew members.”
As mentioned, tomorrow is the day that the Cannes Film Festival will announce its 56-film list of “Official Selections.” We’ll definitely have that list for you the second it’s available.