At its 78th edition, the Cannes Film Festival celebrates women with an eclectic and prestigious jury, chaired by French actress Juliette Binoche. Nine cinema personalities will be tasked with selecting the winner among the 21 films competing for the Palme d’Or.
Juliette Binoche, an inspiring president for a committed jury
A central figure in global cinema, Juliette Binoche returns to the Croisette forty years after making her debut there. Winner of an Oscar, a César, and a Best Actress award at Cannes, she embodies a cinema that is free, demanding, and deeply humanist. By choosing her as jury president, the festival honors an artist known for her courageous choices, always balancing the personal and the political.
Alongside her, several remarkable women reflect the richness and diversity of international cinema. American actress Halle Berry, the first African-American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress, joins the jury. Both a Hollywood star and an independent performer, she represents a career shaped by artistic integrity and personal boldness. Franco-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani is also part of the jury. She is the only member from the literary world. Her sharp insight and award-winning writing, recognized by the Goncourt Prize, make her a unique voice in the group. Her feminist commitments and work focused on the body, intimacy, and freedom are invaluable assets. Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher, known for her chameleon-like roles and international career, is another addition. Also present is Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2024. As a leading voice of an emerging and poetic cinema, she embodies a new generation of artists grounded in reality while reinventing form.
A cosmopolitan jury driven by unique voices
Alongside these powerful women, the jury includes other renowned figures. South Korean director Hong Sangsoo, a master of minimalist filmmaking and a Cannes regular. American actor Jeremy Strong, acclaimed for his performance in The Apprentice, brings dramatic intensity to the group. The jury also welcomes Carlos Reygadas, a Mexican director known for his radical and contemplative films. Congolese documentarian Dieudo Hamadi, whose work captures the contemporary realities of Central Africa, is also part of the panel. United by their love for cinema, these nine artists from diverse cultures and disciplines face the difficult task of choosing this year’s winning film. Their verdict is as eagerly awaited as the films themselves.
While Juliette Binoche’s team will award the prestigious Palme d’Or, other prizes will also be handed out—many by female-led juries. In the “Un Certain Regard” section, which highlights emerging directors with bold and original visions, the jury will be presided over by Molly Manning Walker, a British filmmaker and past recipient of the prize. German director Maren Ade will lead the jury for the “Short Film Palme d’Or” and the Cinef award for student films. The “Caméra d’Or,” which honors a debut feature, will be judged by a panel led by director Alice Rohrwacher.
Also to read: Juliette Binoche: President of the Cannes Film Festival Jury