Cannes Film Festival 2025: Canal+ backs 11 award-winning films

The Canal+ Group has emerged as a dominant force at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, supporting 11 films that secured major awards across all official and parallel selections. Among these were some of the most prestigious honors: the Grand Prix, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and both acting awards. This performance not only underscores Canal+’s strategic investment in cinema but also reaffirms its unique standing as France’s leading partner in film production and distribution.

The Grand Prix was awarded to "Sentimental Value" by Joachim Trier, a project backed by Canal+ from its early development stages. "The Secret Agent" by Kleber Mendonça Filho earned both Best Director and Best Actor for Wagner Moura, while "The Young Mother’s Home" by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne won Best Screenplay. Nadia Melliti received the Best Actress award for her performance in "The Little Sister" by Hafsia Herzi. All four films were pre-purchased or supported at the script stage by Canal+ and/or its affiliated channels Ciné+ and OCS.

In total, 41 films presented at this year’s Cannes Festival were backed by the Canal+ Group, confirming its dominant role as the top supporter of works showcased across categories such as Out of Competition, Critics’ Week, and Cannes Écrans Junior. Of these, 11 went on to collectively win 19 awards, including titles like "The Dance of the Foxes," "Nino," "Alpha," "Connemara" (produced by Studiocanal), "Ollie," "Planets," and the short film "Erogenesis."

Canal+’s presence extended into the market with a robust slate of 20 films sold internationally by Studiocanal, including seven new titles. Five Studiocanal productions were featured in the Official Selection, such as Cédric Klapisch’s "The Coming of the Future," Vincent Maël Cardona’s "The Sun King," and Alex Lutz’s "Connemara." Additional highlights included Cannes Première selections "My Brother" by Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret and "Darling" by John Schlesinger screened at Cinéma de la Plage. Two co-productions from Canal+ Africa, "Promised Sky" by Erige Sehiri and "Untamable" by Thomas Ngijol, further demonstrated the group’s commitment to diverse storytelling.

All supported films will become available to subscribers on Canal+ and/or Ciné+ OCS six months after their theatrical release, enhancing the group’s premium content offering and long-term value proposition for audiences and partners alike.

This year's Cannes performance reinforces Canal+’s strategy of early-stage investment, strong creative partnerships, and global distribution muscle. It also reflects the group's broader ambition: to be not just a broadcaster, but a cornerstone in the creation and global reach of cinematic excellence.