The 78th Festival de Cannes officially opened tonight with a powerful blend of tributes, cinematic celebration, and passionate calls for global solidarity. The prestigious event began with a moving dedication to late actress Émilie Dequenne, as actor Laurent Lafitte welcomed guests at the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
“She was born at the Festival de Cannes. Her humble, powerful grace will be missed,” said Lafitte, dedicating the ceremony to Dequenne. With eloquence and conviction, he honored actors who have left indelible marks both on and off screen, invoking the courage of James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Rock Hudson, Volodymyr Zelensky, and others. Citing Frank Capra’s famous words—“Only the daring should make films”—Lafitte underscored cinema’s enduring power to challenge, uplift, and transform.
This year’s official poster, centered around a warm embrace, set the tone for an evening that called for more inclusivity, representation, and parity in storytelling. “Sometimes, it only takes telling the story of a man and a woman to reach the sublime and the universal,” Lafitte noted.
The nine members of the 2025 Feature Film Jury then took the stage: Halle Berry, Payal Kapadia, Alba Rohrwacher, Leïla Slimani, Dieudo Hamadi, Hong Sangsoo, Carlos Reygadas, Jeremy Strong, and jury president Juliette Binoche—who, as she reminded the crowd, was “born an actress in this very room.”
Binoche offered poignant reflections on the global role of artists: “In all regions of the world, artists are fighting every day and turning that resistance into art.” She paid tribute to 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, killed in Gaza just days after learning a film she appeared in had been selected by the Festival. “Fatima should have been with us tonight,” Binoche said, her voice steady. “Art endures. It is the powerful witness of our lives and our dreams.”
The ceremony also honored legendary filmmaker David Lynch, who passed away earlier this year. French-Canadian singer Mylène Farmer gave a haunting performance in his memory, debuting an unreleased lullaby dedicated to peace and eternal rest.
A highlight of the evening came with a standing ovation for Leonardo DiCaprio, who stepped onstage to present an Honorary Palme d’or to Robert De Niro. DiCaprio praised De Niro’s transformational artistry and his pioneering collaborations with director Martin Scorsese. “They didn’t just make movies—they redefined what cinema could be,” he said.
In his acceptance, De Niro delivered a heartfelt speech that quickly turned into a powerful plea for democratic action. “In my country, we are fighting tooth and nail to defend democracy—something we once took for granted,” he stated. “The arts are, by nature, democratic. That’s why art is a threat today. That’s why we are a threat to the autocrats and fascists of this world.” He urged audiences to organize, protest, and vote: “The time has come.”
The evening culminated with a thunderous declaration from Quentin Tarantino, who officially opened the festival with his signature flair: “IT’S MY HONOUR TO DECLARE THE 78TH FESTIVAL OPEN!!!”
Following the ceremony, audiences were treated to the world premiere of Partir un jour (Leave One Day), a film by Amélie Bonnin, now released in French cinemas. Thanks to a partnership between the Festival de Cannes, France Télévisions, the CNC, and other national organizations, the ceremony and the film were also broadcast live in theaters across the country.
Throughout the 12-day celebration, Festival TV—co-produced by France Télévisions, Brut., and the Festival de Cannes—will continue to bring global audiences exclusive coverage, including red carpet arrivals, press conferences, and official events, available across France.tv, Brut. Cannes, YouTube, and the festival’s official website.
