The next eight months promise to be an exciting time for film festivals around the world.
From the glamour of the Croisette in Cannes to the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern cinema, each of this year’s leading film festivals offers a unique lens through which to experience the art of storytelling.
Leading the way this month is the Cannes Film Festival, set to take place from the 13th to the 24th of May. Now in its 78th edition, Cannes remains a key platform for international filmmakers. This year’s highlights include directorial debuts from Scarlett Johansson and Harris Dickinson, both featured in the Un Certain Regard section. In the main competition, Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme”, Ari Aster’s “Eddington” and Richard Linklater’s “New Wave” are also tapped to gain significant attention at the 11-day event. For this year’s festival, Juliette Binoche will serve as jury president, while Robert De Niro has been confirmed to receive the Honorary Palme d’Or.
Next on the circuit is the Venice International Film Festival, which is set to unfold from the 27th of August to the 6th of September 2025. Recognised as the oldest film festival in the world, Venice continues to shape the awards landscape each year. This year’s festival will be directed by Alberto Barbera and will feature acclaimed US director Alexander Payne as jury president. Venice is famed not just for its glamour, but for being a launchpad for serious Oscar contenders, “La La Land”, “Joker”, and “The Shape of Water” all had pivotal debuts here. In addition to its main competition, Venice’s Horizons section provides a platform for cutting-edge films from new directors. The festival’s unique setting, on the historic Lido Island, adds a level of elegance few other festivals can match.
On the final days of the Venice festival, attention will start to switch across the Atlantic, for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which runs from the 4th to the 14th of September. TIFF has earned a reputation as the most audience-driven of the major festivals, where the prestigious People’s Choice Award often helps to predict future Academy Award success. With its wide-ranging programming that blends global auteurs, breakthrough talents and major Hollywood premieres, TIFF offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience a broad spectrum of cinema in the heart of Toronto. Beyond screenings, the festival hosts extensive industry panels, making it a crucial hub for networking and discovery
Asia’s cultural influence comes into focus next with the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), scheduled for the 17th to the 26th of September. Celebrating its 30th edition this year, BIFF has matured into the leading platform for Asian cinema. In addition to its impressive film selection, the festival hosts the Asian Project Market, a key space for connecting emerging filmmakers with investors and co-production opportunities. The Busan Story Market, another unique feature, fosters the development and international sale of intellectual property across films, television and new media, ensuring Busan’s pivotal role in the future of Asian content creation.
Fast on the heels of BIFF, eyes will turn back to North America for the New York Film Festival (NYFF), which is set to take place from the 26th of September to the 12th of October. Established in 1963 and organised by Film at Lincoln Center, NYFF is one of America’s oldest and most respected festivals. Unlike other North American festivals that focus heavily on premieres and awards positioning, NYFF is known for its curated, non-competitive selection that highlights the best in global filmmaking. Each year, the festival opens with a high-profile world or North American premiere — in 2024, it was Michael Mann’s “Ferrari”. While the 2025 lineup is yet to be announced, NYFF typically features major films that have debuted at Cannes, Venice, or Berlin, alongside important independent and experimental works. The atmosphere is more scholarly than starstruck, with extensive filmmaker talks, panel discussions, and retrospectives enhancing the cultural experience.
Rounding out the year is the spectacular Red Sea International Film Festival, which is set to be held from the 4th to the 13th of December this year in the historic Al Balad district of Jeddah. Now in its fifth edition, RSIFF continues to champion bold new voices from the Arab world and beyond. With over 280 projects supported through the Red Sea Fund to date, the festival has already had an impact on the global cinematic landscape, backing one Oscar-nominated film. The Red Sea International Film Festival has firmly positioned itself not only as a showcase for new talent but also as an essential meeting point for the future of cinema from emerging markets.
