An extraordinary 22 international film co-productions that were made with the support of the Council of Europe have been selected for the 79th Cannes Film Festival and are in contention for a range of festival prizes. The films were made with funding from Eurimages - the cultural support fund of the Council of Europe - which encourages independent filmmaking by providing financial support to feature-length films, animation and documentary films, establishing cooperation between film-makers in different countries.
This remarkable presence at the festival - which takes place from 12 to 23 May - once again highlights the strength, diversity, and artistic ambition of European cinema. Among the 22 Eurimages-supported films selected for Cannes this year five have been chosen for the official competition and the race for the prestigious Palme d'Or - whose overall shortlist also happens to total 22 films.
A total of 2,541 films from 141 countries were submitted for the Palme d'Or, which will be awarded on the final day of the festival. The jury, composed of a mix of Hollywood stars and established filmmakers to ensure a diverse selection process, will choose from the 22 films in competition for the top award, including the following five supported by Eurimages:
Coward by Lukas Dhont (Belgium, France, the Netherlands)
A deeply intimate character study, Coward explores vulnerability and identity through the story of a young man confronting emotional isolation and societal expectations.
Fatherland by Pawel Pawlikowski (Poland, Italy, Germany, France)
Set against a shifting European landscape, Fatherland examines themes of memory, belonging, and political legacy through a multi-generational family narrative.
Fjord by Cristian Mungiu (Romania, France, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden)
In this stark and atmospheric drama, Mungiu delves into moral dilemmas unfolding within a remote Nordic community shaped by silence, nature, and hidden tensions.
Gentle Monster by Maria Kreutzer (Austria, Germany, France)
Kreutzer presents a nuanced psychological portrait of fame and control, following a public figure navigating the pressures of image, power, and personal freedom.
All of a Sudden by Ryūsuke Hamaguchi (France, Japan, Germany, Belgium)
Known for his subtle storytelling, Hamaguchi crafts an emotionally layered narrative about unexpected encounters and the quiet transformations they bring.
The Palme d'Or remains one of the most coveted awards in cinema. As of last year 11 Palme d'Or-winning films have been supported in part by the Eurimages fund, underscoring its enduring role in fostering excellence in international filmmaking. Famous previous winners include - Sans filtre by Ruben Östlund in 2022, Winter Sleep by Nuri Bilge Ceylan in 2014, 2000's Dancer in the Dark by Lars von Trier, and its first winner,
Underground by Emir Kusturica back in 1995.
Strong presence across Cannes sections
Several Eurimages-supported films are featured across the various sections of the festival. The selections for "Un Certain Regard" (four Eurimages films), "Cannes Première" (one film), and "Midnight Screenings" (three films) are part of the official festival, while "Critics' Week" (three films) and "Directors' Fortnight" (four films) are parallel sections held alongside the festival.
European Audiovisual Observatory presents its latest cinema data in two major Cannes conferences
The European Audiovisual Observatory, a Council of Europe body which provides analysis and data on the film, streaming and television industries, will host two highly anticipated conferences during the festival. Both conferences are annual events and play to packed houses as film professionals come to pick up essential film market intelligence. The first conference on 15 May will see the launch of the 29th edition of FOCUS - World film market trends, a report which the Observatory produces exclusively for the Cannes Film Market. This conference will zoom in on the film industry of Japan, this year's Cannes country of honour. The second conference on 16 May will delve into the role of fiscal incentives and cash rebates as increasingly major financing sources for film production in Europe and beyond. The Observatory will also launch its groundbreaking new report on fiscal incentives on the day of the conference.
European Audiovisual Observatory
Read the report on fiscal incentives in European film (from 16 May)
