Cannes 2025 Live Streaming : When And Where To Watch All The Glamour Unfold Plus A Few Indian Surprises!

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As the French Riviera readies itself for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the global film community turns its gaze towards the coastal town of Cannes. From 13 to 24 May 2025, the legendary festival will once again transform the palm-lined Promenade de la Croisette into a celebration of cinematic excellence, cultural exchange, and glamour. With its signature blend of red-carpet spectacle and artistic credibility, Cannes remains a place where stories meet the world and this year, the Indian film industry is making itself heard in more ways than one.

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Hollywood Icons And Global Premieres

In a year rich with international heavyweights, two American film legends take centre stage. Robert De Niro will be honoured with a lifetime achievement Palme d'Or at the opening ceremony, a fitting tribute to his enduring contribution to cinema. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman will receive the Women In Motion Award on 18 May, celebrating not just her acting prowess but her advocacy for gender equality in film.

Adding further star power, Tom Cruise returns to Cannes with Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. While not part of the main competition, its out-of-competition screening on 14 May at the Grand Théâtre Lumière is set to be a crowd-puller.

Where to Watch : Streaming The Spectacle

For audiences around the world, the festival's grandeur will unfold online. The official Festival de Cannes YouTube channel will offer live coverage, including red carpet arrivals, press conferences, and key ceremonies. Meanwhile, festival-cannes.com will host real-time updates, making sure no cinephile is left behind.

Indian Cinema's Distinct Footprint

While India doesn't feature in the Palme d'Or competition this year, its presence is nonetheless striking. Payal Kapadia returns to Cannes, not with a film this time but as a member of the prestigious jury, a recognition of her artistic sensibility following her Grand Prix win in 2024.

Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound will premiere in the Un Certain Regard section. With a compelling cast that includes Ishan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and produced by Dharma Productions, the film is expected to draw significant attention. The premiere promises a splash of Bollywood glamour on the Riviera.

In the Cannes Classics segment, the spotlight turns to India's cinematic legacy. Sharmila Tagore will attend the premiere of a restored 4K version of Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest), a collaboration between The Film Foundation and India's Film Heritage Foundation. Wes Anderson, a board member of the former, praised Ray's underappreciated gem, calling it "a special, particular gem... modern and novelistic."

New Voices And Urgent Stories

Cannes has long been a platform for new talent, and this year, a student project from India is making quiet waves. Kokob Gebrehaweria Tesfay, a student at SRFTI, brings A Doll Made Up of Clay, a poignant look at the struggles of African migrants living in India. Speaking of her motivation, Tesfay said, "Most of them playing in the low-paid leagues face anxiety, fear, and identity crisis." Her film showcases a cultural bridge and a call for empathy, marking a vital space for lesser-heard voices in global cinema.

The Fashion Parade: Indian Stars Shine Bright

Beyond the cinema halls, the Cannes red carpet is a stage of its own. Making her much-anticipated debut as a global brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, Alia Bhatt is expected to turn heads with her sartorial choices. She joins veterans like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Urvashi Rautela, who continue to bring Indian elegance and drama to the Croisette.

Meanwhile, Anupam Kher's directorial venture Tanvi The Great will feature in the Marché du Film, Cannes' industry-focused marketplace underlining the diverse ways in which Indian cinema is participating this year.

Jury 2025 : A Lineup Of Perspectives

This year's jury brings together a truly international mix, blending cultures and artistic sensibilities. The panel includes Halle Berry, Alba Rohrwacher, Leila Slimani, Dieudo Hamadi, Hong Sang-soo, Carlos Reygadas, and Jeremy Strong. Their collective insight is expected to deliver a nuanced and wide-ranging appraisal of the films in competition.

Cannes has never been solely about awards. It's about shifting narratives, elevating underrepresented voices, and sparking global dialogue through cinema. In 2025, the festival continues to reflect the complex, interconnected world we live in and India's expanding role within it feels less like a guest appearance and more like a growing presence.

As the curtains rise on another edition of this storied festival, what remains clear is that the true power of cinema lies not just in spectacle or stardom, but in its ability to speak across borders and be heard.