As a media partner to the longstanding, extraordinary festival, I have been lucky enough to watch a few gems participating this year and will also moderate some Q&A’s with the creatives behind some of the titles. So come on down to the Vue Piccadilly from June 17th to the 26th!
Read MorePhoto courtesy of Doha Film Institute, used with permission
Doha Film Institute launches 'Atlas of Cinematic Affinities' in Cannes celebrating their 15th anniversary
The DFI’s ‘Atlas of Cinematic Affinities: 15 Years of Doha Film Institute’ is a landmark publication and the first-of-its-kind documentation of collective cinematic journeys of independent filmmakers from the MENA region and beyond.
Read MoreFrom left: Rithy Panh, Akuol de Mabior, Mo Amer, Annemarie Jacir and Bao Nguyen
Annemarie Jacir, Rithy Panh and Mo Amer unveiled as contributors to second round of Cate Blanchett's Displacement Fund
Along with Akuol de Mabior and Bao Nguyen, the group of five esteemed filmmakers will receive production grants to work on individual short films which will world premiere at the 2027 Rotterdam Film Festival.
Read MoreSome of the goodies being handed out this year to celebrities and festival VIPs, courtesy of the DPA Cannes Gift Suite
Seven products to love from this year's DPA Cannes Gift Suite
Handed out to celebrities and VIPs and, on many occasions, sported on the various red carpets throughout the Festival de Cannes, these were personal standouts from this year’s most glamorous gift lounge, nestled inside the JW Marriott.
Read MoreThe Cannes Dispatches: You're the one that they want John Travolta and Asghar Farhadi has still got it
Audiences decide what is worthy of their attention and not critics and cinema insiders, as was obvious at the packed, enthusiastically charged screening of the American movie star’s directorial debut. Ultimately, the audience will also decide the fate of ‘Parallel Tales’ by the Iranian helmer, which showcases a very, very special Isabelle Huppert.
Read MoreThe Cannes Dispatches: Musings on a film festival, its past, its present and its future
It is unusually quiet here in Cannes, although everyone is expecting it to get rowdy and noisy later tonight, when a “high octane midnight screening” event of the original ‘The Fast and the Furious’ is slated to take place. But for me, this first day on the ground has been all about a soulful Mexican film, ‘Ashes’ by Diego Luna. Yes, that Diego Luna!
Read MoreThe Cannes Dispatch: Two women, a poster and the American heavyweight (title)
The choice to feature Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as ‘Thelma & Louise’ on the official poster of the upcoming 79th edition of the Festival de Cannes seems baffling. Until you dig deeper…
Read MoreMarilyn Monroe™; Rights of Publicity and Persona Rights: The Estate of Marilyn Monroe LLC. marilynmonroe.com. Photo Bernard of Hollywood © 2026 Renaissance Road Inc. Courtesy of the BFI
Five to watch at the upcoming BFI 'Marilyn Monroe: Self-Made Star' retrospective
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Monroe’s birth, the series will feature popular films and lesser known gems along with talks, an exhibition of portraits, a special study day dedicated to the superstar and a rerelease of John Huston’s ‘The Misfits’ by BFI Distribution.
Read MoreAsghar Farhadi directing Isabelle Huppert on the set of ‘Parallel Tales’ which will world premiere in Cannes
Cannes Official Selection announcement: No US studios, less women helmers in Competition and loads of political statements
Festival director Thierry Frémaux and festival president Iris Knobloch announced the majority of the titles earlier today, from the Pathe Palace in Paris and there are some surprises, mostly from the films left out, so far.
Read MoreAlba Rohrwacher in a still from ‘Three Goodbyes’ by Isabel Coixet, courtesy of Cinema Made in Italy
Three to watch at the upcoming Cinema Made in Italy festival in London
From Cinecittà to the BFI Southbank, Italian cinema is making an extraordinary return, with several titles directed by Italian filmmakers slated for UK distribution later this spring. And this time around, it seems to be all about freedom…
Read MoreFrom feft, Gael Garciá Bernal, Diego Luna, Alice Diop, Faouzi Bensaïdi and Gustavo Santaolalla
DFI announces Qumra Masters from 2026, including Gael García Bernal returning, along with Diego Luna
But also included in the stellar group are Alice Diop, Faouzi Bensaïdi and Gustavo Santaolalla.
Read MoreViva i film italiani! Cinema Made in Italy takes over London
Come early March, from the 4th through the 8th to be exact, the BFI Southbank becomes home to some of the Italian cinematic gems everyone should be craving to discover.
Read MoreClockwise from top left, Bong Joon-ho, Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, Jafar Panahi, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Tahar Rahim, Laurence Fishburne and Nadine Labaki
Marrakech IFF announces personalities for stellar conversations, including Bong Joon-ho, Guilermo del Toro & Nadine Labaki
The Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF) which this year will run from November 28th to December 6th, 2025, has announced its highly anticipated line up for their Conversation Program.
Read MoreMarrakech FF announces stellar line up, including world premiere of Meryem Benm'Barek's highly anticipated 'Behind the Palm Trees'
The festival will kick off with ‘Dead Man's Wire’, Gus Van Sant's dark and jubilant comedy and close with Annemarie Jacir’s Palestinian submission to the Oscars ‘Palestine 36’, with loads of wondrous films screening in between.
Read MoreClockwise from left: Raja Amari, Dhafer L’Abidine, Rithy Panh, Alessandra Speciale
Doha Film Festival announces stellar world cinema personalities for their Competition Jury
Included are frequent DFI collaborator Rithy Panh and Tunisian star Dhafer L’Abidine.
Read MoreA still from ‘The Reserve’ by Pablo Pérez Lombardini courtesy of © Pikila
World cinema projects from Mexico's 'The Reserve' to Spain's 'Sleepless City' and Japan's ‘Renoir’ in Competition at inaugural Doha Film Festival
Doha Film Festival will showcase a remarkable selection of acclaimed titles from across the world as part of its International Feature Film Competition, reflecting the festival’s commitment to cinematic excellence and cultural diversity, bringing together powerful stories that resonate across borders.
Read MoreA still from ‘Khartoum’, a documentary which will screen at the Doha Film Festival later this November
Sudan in focus at the upcoming inaugural Doha Film Festival in Qatar
Featuring music and films from the country in turmoil, the line up for the event held by the Doha Film Institute, highlights the creativity and rich heritage of a nation whose stories continue to inspire the world.
Read MoreA still from ‘Sink’ by Zain Duraie, courtesy of Tabi360
Five films you must watch at this year's BFI London Film Festival
Don’t be mad if I didn’t include your personal fave, or a Hollywood title. There are plenty of those, with galas and special conversations to boot. But for me, these titles deserve a second look.
Read MoreA still from ‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’ by Tarzan and Arab Nasser, courtesy of DFI
Upcoming inaugural Doha Film Festival to showcase Palestinian stories
And honestly, from the DFI, I would expect nothing less!
Read MoreBrad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix produced 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' to open inaugural Doha Film Festival
Tunisian Oscar nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s Venice Silver Lion winner is “a moving tribute to resilience and the power of cinema”.
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