CANNES, France (AP) 鈥� This year's has barely started, but it's already been an attention-grabbing affair, from new rules for its red carpets, nerves about potential U.S. tariffs and the return of Tom Cruise.
And that says nothing about the films, as Cannes is seen as increasingly important to the Oscars' best picture hopefuls.
Even in a normal year, Cannes is a lot to keep up with. Here's a handy guide of what's happened so far, what to expect and what it may mean.
What's happened so far at Cannes
Cannes opened Tuesday with a 49 years after 鈥淭axi Driver鈥� won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or. De Niro used the platform to assail U.S. President Donald Trump, a frequent target of his criticism.
He also basked in the adoration of some of film's elite, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Quentin Tarantino.
Cannes debuted a complex 4K restoration of 鈥淭he Gold Rush,鈥� , timed to the film's 100th anniversary. 鈥淥ur grandfather would be really proud to see this, a hundred years later, to see all you here and interested in seeing the film,鈥� said Kiera Chaplin to a packed screening Tuesday.
on Day 2 with the latest 鈥淢ission: Impossible鈥� installment, 鈥淔inal Reckoning.鈥� For such a high-flying franchise, Cruise kept his feet on the ground (so far) ahead of the film's premiere.
What to expect from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
AP Film Writer Jake Coyle broke down some of the key things Among the things to watch out for: any effects of at the world's largest film market. The festival serves as the start of Oscar season and there's a packed field vying for this year's Palme d'Or.
Outside of competition, there's some starry first-time directors: Scarlett Johansson with 鈥淓leanor the Great,鈥� Kristen Stewart with 鈥淭he Chronology of Water鈥� and Harris Dickinson with 鈥淯rchin.鈥�
Their films are not in the main competition, but as Brazilian director Kleber Mendon莽a Filho told Coyle about debuting a film at Cannes: 鈥淵ou release a film into that Colosseum-like situation.鈥� He noted premiering a movie at the festival is akin to 鈥渁 potential invitation to a beheading.鈥�
New red carpet rules, and how stars are responding
One of the buzziest moves by Cannes this year so far has been its by festivalgoers and so too are 鈥渧oluminous鈥� outfits, in particular those with a large train.
The move to ban nude looks comes amid the 鈥渘aked dress鈥� trend on red carpets, including and many of the outfits after the Oscars.
Cannes press officers said earlier this week the festival 鈥渕ade explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect.鈥�
So how did stars at Cannes respond?
Halle Berry, who is on the festival jury headed by Juliette Binoche, told reporters she would abide by it and had changed her opening night look.
While risque looks were in short supply Monday, including dresses worn by Heidi Klum, Chinese actor Wan QianHui and others.
___
For more coverage of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, visit .
The Associated Press
