The Buzziest Premieres at This Year’s Cannes Film Festival

As the 77th Cannes Film Festival draws near with opening night on Tuesday, the internet is gearing up for yet another year of critically acclaimed films and appearances from our favorite stars. But what exactly should viewers expect? As planned as film festivals and award shows are, there's always room for unexpected chaos — good and bad. 

From May 14th to May 25th, 2024, the world's film elite will convene on the French Riviera for eleven days of red carpet premieres, industry buzz, and unforgettable moments. This year's festival will be attended by renowned American filmmaker and actress, Greta Gerwig, who has been chosen to be leading as jury president after a most successful year with Barbie. Acclaimed French actress Camille Cottin will host both the opening and closing ceremonies, welcoming in all the directors and actors to this momentous occasion.

Other celebrities expected to make appearances are Anya Taylor-Joy for her role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Sebastian Stan for his role in The Apprentice, and Adam Driver for Megalopolis. Iconic names like Meryl Streep and George Lucas will also be in attendance as they will be awarded  an honorary Palme d’Or during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Per usual, it's clear this year's Cannes Film Festival is one to watch as the stars grace the red carpet and the movie screens. L'OFFICIEL has a rundown of some of the most anticipated and talked about films that will be featured at this year's festival. 

Francis Ford Coppola makes a grand return to Cannes with Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver. Driver plays a determined architect set on rebuilding a city ravaged by catastrophe. The film was self-financed by Coppola himself, nearing a budget around $120 million. It's easily one of the buzziest premieres of the festival.

Viewers will be largely reminded of the upcoming 2024 election with this film depicting presidential candidate Donald Trump's early years. Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice is anticipated to be an intriguing political tale featuring Sebastian Stan portraying a young Donald J. Trump, with Maria Bakalova as his first wife, Ivana, and "Succession" star Jeremy Strong as Trump’s influential mentor, Roy Cohn.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig is scheduled for Cannes although it is surrounded by controversy already. Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to 8 years in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary Court. He received a sentence for his involvement in "signing statements" and producing films and documentaries, actions the court deemed as instances of colluding with the intent to commit crimes against the nation's security.

No doubt one of the most anticipated premieres at Cannes this year is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the latest installment in George Miller's series. Serving as a prequel to the acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road, which debuted at Cannes in 2015, this film promises another thrilling adventure. We also eagerly anticipate to see Anya Taylor-Joy hit the red carpet.