As the Cannes Film Festival approaches, much of the spotlight naturally falls on the red carpets, celebrities, and luxury yachts. But beyond the glamour, Cannes also serves as a vital global film marketplace — a hub where international films vie for distribution deals.
This year, several high-profile titles are entering the festival without confirmed domestic or international distributors. These projects could become some of the most talked-about films at Cannes, making them essential titles to watch.
Die, My Love (Lynne Ramsay)
Lynne Ramsay, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary cinema, has built a reputation for turning each of her rare releases into a cinematic event. With only five feature films to her name since her powerful 1999 debut Ratcatcher, anticipation is high for her latest project, Die, My Love — her first since 2017’s You Were Never Really Here.
Based on Adriana Harwicz’s 2017 novel and co-written with Enda Walsh and Alice Birch, the film centers on a woman, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, who spirals into postpartum depression that soon takes a disturbing turn. Robert Pattinson stars as her husband, with LaKeith Stanfield, Sissy Spacek, and Nick Nolte rounding out the impressive supporting cast.
With such a strong ensemble and Ramsay at the helm, Die, My Love is expected to draw serious attention from distributors — particularly if it performs well at Cannes. If it resonates with critics and audiences alike, it could easily become a major contender in the upcoming awards season.
The Mastermind (Kelly Reichardt)
The Mastermind checks nearly every box for a potential breakout hit. Directed by acclaimed American auteur Kelly Reichardt, the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast featuring Josh O’Connor, Alana Haim, John Magaro, Hope Davis, Amanda Plummer, and Bill Camp. Its storyline suggests a broader appeal than some of Reichardt’s previous work, while still preserving the unique tone and subtlety that define her style.
Set in 1970, the plot revolves around a group of thieves who pull off a museum heist but struggle to keep their stolen art hidden. With Mubi on board as a co-producer and in charge of U.S. distribution, international rights are still up for grabs — making it a hot title on the Cannes market circuit.
The fact that The Mastermind is also competing for the Palme d’Or only adds to its prestige. A major award win could significantly boost its global appeal and cement its status as one of the festival’s most sought-after films.
Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)
Joachim Trier made a major splash at Cannes with The Worst Person in the World, which competed for the Palme d’Or and earned Renate Reinsve the Best Actress award. The film went on to receive Academy Award nominations for Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay, with NEON acquiring U.S. rights and Mubi taking distribution in several international markets, including the UK, Ireland, and India.
Now Trier returns to the Croisette with Sentimental Value, a film described as a reflective look at family, memory, and the healing nature of art. Reinsve reunites with the director, and the cast also includes Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, and Cory Michael Smith. The film is once again in official competition, which could set it on a familiar path toward critical acclaim and awards recognition.
Mubi has already secured rights for a number of regions — including the UK, Ireland, Latin America, Turkey, and India — but U.S. distribution is still in play. With buzz building, it remains to be seen whether NEON will return, or if another major player like A24 or Focus Features will step in. As always at Cannes, much depends on how the film is received.
Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater)
Richard Linklater’s latest project, Nouvelle Vague, seems tailor-made for the Cannes crowd — and likely for eager distributors as well. The film delves into the creation of Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic Breathless, with Guillaume Marbeck portraying Godard, Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo. Cinephiles will be thrilled to see cinematic legends like François Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, Agnès Varda, and Jean Cocteau brought to life on screen — a veritable love letter to the French New Wave.
Surprisingly, the film has yet to secure any distribution, though its presence in the Palme d’Or competition could quickly change that, especially if it earns critical praise or takes home an award. Given Linklater’s status as one of the most respected filmmakers of his generation, it’s unlikely this title will remain on the market for long.
One possible wrinkle? Blue Moon, another Linklater-directed film that already garnered awards at the Berlin Film Festival, is also set for release this year. Could the overlap create a bottleneck in distribution or marketing? That remains to be seen — but regardless, Nouvelle Vague is poised to be one of Cannes’ standout titles.
The Chronology of Water (Kristen Stewart)
Kristen Stewart steps behind the camera for her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir. Backed by Ridley Scott and Scott Free, the film stars Imogen Poots as Yuknavitch — a Texas native who escapes an abusive past through a swimming scholarship, eventually finding her voice while collaborating with Ken Kesey on the experimental novel Caverns during her time at the University of Oregon.
The film is set to premiere in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, which places it outside the main competition, but it boasts a compelling cast that includes Thora Birch, Kim Gordon, Jim Belushi, and Tom Sturridge. With themes ranging from BDSM to substance abuse, the story navigates difficult terrain before arriving at a hopeful, redemptive conclusion.
Currently, the film has secured distribution only in France through Les Films du Losange. But with its high-profile debut and strong ensemble, it’s likely to attract significant international interest once the festival gets underway.
The Young Mother’s Home (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne)
Veteran filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne continue their decades-long Cannes legacy with a new feature premiering in competition at this year’s festival. Written, directed, and produced by the Belgian brothers, the film centers on five young mothers living in a housing center — a premise that promises the emotional depth and social realism the Dardennes are known for.
Their previous outing, Tori and Lokita (2022), was acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films — the same team behind Oscar-winner Flow. It remains to be seen whether the duo will return to distribute this latest work, but with the Dardennes’ prestigious Cannes track record, it’s certainly a possibility.
Often referred to as Cannes royalty, the brothers have twice taken home the Palme d’Or — for Rosetta (1999) and L’Enfant (2005) — and have also won major festival honors including Best Screenplay (Lorna’s Silence, 2008), the Grand Prix (The Kid with a Bike, 2011), Best Director (Young Ahmed, 2019), and a special 75th Anniversary Prize for Tori and Lokita in 2022. Whether this newest film will add another trophy to their Cannes shelf remains to be seen, but expectations are high.
Urchin (Harris Dickinson)
Joining the ranks of actors stepping behind the camera, Harris Dickinson makes his directorial debut in this year’s Un Certain Regard section at Cannes with Urchin. Known for his performances in The King’s Man, Triangle of Sadness, The Iron Claw, and Babygirl—and soon to appear as John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles project—Dickinson now turns his focus to storytelling from the director’s chair.
Urchin follows the journey of a drifter, played by Frank Dillane, who struggles to find his footing in society after a period of detachment. The film draws inspiration from the gritty, socially conscious storytelling of directors like Mike Leigh and the Dardenne brothers.
Though backed by BBC Film and the BFI, Urchin has yet to lock in a distribution deal. But with its Cannes debut on the horizon and a compelling story at its core, that’s unlikely to remain the case for long.
