Expectations that the event will attract a wide presence of global film stars A film depicting the final days of French teacher Samuel Paty

The official competition for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival begins on Wednesday, in a new edition expected to feature a strong presence of international film stars, alongside screenings of films carrying controversial, human, and political themes, further intensifying the competition from its very first day.

According to Reuters, among the festival’s highlights is a film shown out of competition that portrays the final days of French teacher Samuel Paty, who was killed in 2020 in an incident that shocked France after he displayed caricatures during a class. The film revisits one of the most controversial issues in recent years in French society.

French actor Antoine Reinartz portrays Paty in the film, while his sister Mickaëlle Paty—who co-wrote the screenplay—is expected to attend the red carpet alongside director Vincent Garenq and the production team, in a moment carrying strong human significance.

The official competition opens with two major films: “Nagi Diary” by Japanese director Koji Fukada and “La vie d'une femme” by director Charlène Bourgeois-Tacquet, amid strong critical and public anticipation for diverse cinematic visions.

In the coming days, the festival will also screen new works by prominent international directors, including Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, who returns with a new film featuring a number of well-known actors, in a highly anticipated comeback for both audiences and critics.

Among the expected red-carpet appearances is German actress Sandra Hüller, recently awarded the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, who stars in a new film by Paweł Pawlikowski about the return of German writer Thomas Mann to his homeland after World War II, in a deeply human historical treatment.

Cannes Film Festival continues this year to reinforce its position as a platform that blends artistic glamour with human narratives and sensitive political issues, in an edition that promises strong films, intense competition, and exceptional cinematic moments awaited by audiences worldwide.