Press area

Selection and Jury of the Immersive Competition of the 78th Festival de Cannes

© Michaël JAN

16 immersive works from 9 countries will be presented in the Selection, including 9 in the Competition.

The Immersive Competition Jury will be chaired by French director Luc Jacquet, who will be joined by American artist Laurie Anderson, French writer Tania de Montaigne, British director Martha Fiennes and Japanese video game creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi

This prestigious jury will have the noble task of awarding the prize for Best Immersive Work at the Immersive Closing Ceremony on May 22.

The First Edition of the Immersive Competition was in 2024. This year’s event will be held at the Carlton Hotel during the 78th Festival de Cannes. 

Returning for a second consecutive year, the Immersive Competition was introduced in 2024 to celebrate new forms of storytelling through spatial and sensory experiences. By freeing themselves from the screen and traditional cinematic language, immersive works invite viewers to enter into the narrative, and often interact with it.

This year’s Immersive Selection will showcase nine works in the Competition, two non-competitive, and a Focus program featuring five Luxembourg creations that will give festival-goers an unprecedented insight into immersive creative processes. 

Together, these sixteen proposals offer an overview of a rapidly evolving language – from virtual reality and mixed reality to video mapping and artificial intelligence. Designed to be experienced rather than viewed, these works take us into imaginary worlds where space, narrative and emotion intertwine. They also invite us to question our relation to power, domination and the complex, ambivalent ties we maintain with the natural world, technological systems, our own bodies and our fellow human beings. This year’s talented cast includes Fanny Ardant, Daisy Ridley, Zar Amir and Rod Paradot.

For the first time, the Immersive Competition will take place at the Carlton Hotel from May 14 to 23. The Croisette’s iconic venue will thus be transformed into a showcase dedicated to experiential and innovative forms of narration.

IN COMPETITION

BEYOND THE VIVID UNKNOWN

International Premiere

BEYOND THE VIVID UNKNOWN
John Fitzgerald, Godfrey Reggio
Produced by Onassis ONX, Agog,
Foundry, Pressman Film, Asteria Film Co
Country 
United States

© Techno Firma LLC

 

FILLOS DO VENTO: A RAPA

World Premiere

FILLOS DO VENTO: A RAPA
Brais Revalderia, María Fernanda Ordóñez Morla
Produced by Cinexin Studios, 100 Sutton Studios, Evernia Media, Wecom, Shift Midtown
Countries Spain, United States

© Cinexin Studios

FROM DUST

International Premiere

FROM DUST
Michel van der Aa
Casting Viola Blache, Marie Fenske, Franziska Eberhardt, Marie Charlotte Seidel, Felicitas Erben, Helene Erben
Production doubleA Foundation
Pays The Netherlands

© doubleA Foundation

IN THE CURRENT OF BEING

International Premiere

IN THE CURRENT OF BEING
Cameron Kostopoulos
Cast Carolyn Mercer
Produced by Kost, Floréal, France Télévisions
Countries United States, France

© Kost

LACUNA

International Premiere

LACUNA
Maartje Wegdam, Nienke Huitenga-Broeren
Cast Sonja de Lange
Produced by Podium Biarritz, Studio Biarritz, Copper Views Film Productions
Countries The Netherlands

© Podium Biarritz

LILI

World Premiere

LILI
Navid Khonsari
Cast Zar Amir, Navid Negahban
Produced by iNK Stories, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Alambic Production
Countries United States, United Kingdom, France

© iNK Stories

tAxI

World Premiere

tAxI
Yamil Rodriguez, Michael Arcos, Stephen Henderson
Produced by Nilor Studio
Country United Kingdom

© Nilor Corp Limited

THE DOLLHOUSE

World Premiere

LA MAISON DE POUPÉE
Charlotte Bruneau, Dominic Desjardins
Cast Ellie Todd (English voice), Rebecca Maiese (English voice), Sarah Vergès (French voice), Claire Cahen (French voice), Béatrice René-Décarie (motion capture performer), Corinne Hoang (motion capture performer)
Produced by Wild Fang Films, Zazie Films
Countries Luxembourg, Canada

© Wild Fang Films sarl-s

THE EXPLODING GIRL VR

World Premiere

LA FILLE QUI EXPLOSE VR
Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel
Cast Grace Seri
Produced by Atlas V, BYRD
Countries France, Greece

© Astrea

Out of competition

CHEZ MOI

World Premiere

CHEZ MOI
Victoria Yakubova, Frédéric Le Louët
Cast Fanny Ardant (main voice), Eduard Yakubov, Stanislav Yakubov, Dilbar Yakubov, Ira Eduardovna, Anjelika Shalomayev, Alex Shalomayev, Aaron Shalomayev, Khasto Yakubov, Tamara Malaeva, Simona Le Louët, Guy Le Louët, Giovanni Fanelli, Gelsomina Fanelli, Leon Prudovsky, Evgeny Izraylit, Rinaldo Rocco, Frédéric Le Louët, Victoria Yakubova
Produced by Olma Djon Productions, Limited Edition
Country France

© Olma Djon Productions

TRAILBLAZER

French premiere

TRAILBLAZER
Eloise Singer
Cast Daisy Ridley, Mortiz Bleibtreu, David Bruckner
Produced by Singer Studios
Country United Kingdom

© Singer Interactive

Immersive Selection - Focus

BATTLEFIELD

CHAMP DE BATAILLE
François Vautier
Cast Rod Paradot, Thimothée Robart, Nilton Martins, Michael Erpelding, Lou Mergen and Django
Produced by Da Prod, Digital Voodooh, France Télévisions, Kwassa Films
Countries France, Luxembourg, Belgium

© Digital Voodooh

CECI EST MON COEUR

CECI EST MON COEUR
Nicolas Blies, Stéphane Hueber-Blies
Cast Corentin Fila, Raphel Famotibe
Produced by a_BAHN, Lucid Realities, PHI Studio
Countries Luxembourg, France, Canada

© a_BAHN

FLOATING WITH SPIRITS

FLOATING WITH SPIRITS
Juanita Onzaga
Cast Jocelynne Gallardo García, Jaquelyne Gallardo García, Florencia García, Rosalia Gallardo Alvarado, Guadalupe García Allende, Grupo de Huehuentones « Chajma ndle jaá »
Dancers Benoit Couchot, Astrid Sweeney, ‘Nunoy’ Johannes van den Burgh, Annick Schadeck
Vocalists Jana Bahrich, Sarah Kertz, Edmon Pires Domingo, John Wolter
Produced by Cassette for timescapes, Tarantula, Studio Biarritz
Countries Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands

© Tarantula Luxembourg

ITO MEIKYU



ITO MEIKYU
Boris Labbé
Produced by Sacrebleu Productions, Les Films Fauves
Countries France, Luxembourg

© Les Films Fauves

OTO'S PLANET

OTO'S PLANET
Gwenael François
Cast Joël Delsaut (French narrator), Jérôme Reuter (English narrator), Greg Baumann (Oto mocap), Paul Robert Brice Montagne (Exo mocap), Paul Robert (Oto’s Voice), Pitt Simon (Exo’s Voice)
Produced by Skill Lab, Dpt., Small Creative
Countries Luxembourg, Canada, France

© Skill Lab

LE JURY DE LA COMPÉTITION IMMERSIVE

LUC JACQUET - President

France

Director

OTO'S PLANET 

 ©  Sarah Del Ben
Born in 1967, Luc Jacquet grew up in Ain, fascinated by nature. A biologist by training, he participated in expeditions that led him to filmmaking to share the beauty of life. His film March of the Penguins won an Oscar in 2006. He later directed The Fox and the ChildOnce Upon a ForestIce and the SkyThe Emperor, and Voyage to the South Pole. In 2016, he created his first immersive experience, Antarctica. In 2019, he founded Icebreaker Studios to reinvent storytelling around nature: exhibitions, performing arts, opera, immersive sound, and contemporary circus. In 2024, he presented Terra Incognita and is finalizing a new project set to premiere this summer.

© Sarah Del Ben

LAURIE ANDERSON

United States

Musician, director & writer

LAURIE ANDERSON ©  Ebru Yildiz
Laurie Anderson is a multidisciplinary artist: writer, director, composer, musician, and multimedia pioneer. A major figure in experimental music and performance, she has published ten books, created many innovative shows, and received five Grammy nominations. Her visual work has been shown globally, including major solo exhibitions at the Hirshhorn Museum (Washington DC) and Moderna Museet (Stockholm). In 2024, the Recording Academy honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her latest exhibition, ARK, was presented in Manchester in November 2023.

© Ebru Yildiz

TANIA DE MONTAIGNE

France

Author & interpreter

Tania de Montaigne © Jean-François Paga
Tania de Montaigne is the author of Noire (Simone Veil Prize, 2015) and L’Assignation (Secularism Prize, 2018). Her latest novel, Sensibilités, was published in 2023. Noire was adapted for the stage, then reimagined as Noire, the immersive experience, written and performed by de Montaigne and directed by Stéphane Foenkinos and Pierre-Alain Giraud. Presented at the Centre Pompidou in 2023, then selected for Tribeca, London, and Cannes (Best Immersive Work Award, 2024), the work is now touring museums and theaters worldwide.

© Jean-François Paga

MARTHA FIENNES

United Kingdom

Director, screenwriter & artist

MARTHA FIENNES
 © dr
Martha Fiennes began with music videos for Al Green and Boy George, then directed award-winning ads. Her first film, Onegin, earned BAFTA nominations. Chromophobia closed the 2005 Cannes Festival. A key figure in British cinema, she has served on several juries. Since 2011, she has pioneered hybrid filmmaking using AI, digital environments, and studio shoots. Her works Nativity and Yugen (with Salma Hayek Pinault) create immersive, evolving sensory experiences. In 2025, both were presented at London’s Coronet Theatre to critical and public acclaim.

© DR

TETSUYA MIZUGUCHI

Japan

Video Game Creator

TETSUYA MIZUGUCHI
 © dr
Mizuguchi creates unique sensory experiences blending interactive art and XR technology. Synesthesia and emotional immersion are central to his works, like Rez Infinite in VR, paired with the Synesthesia Suit and X1 system. Director of the Synesthesia Lab and professor at Keio University, he explores sensory interaction in media. He chaired the Japan Media Arts Festival jury in 2007 and has served on many juries. In 2020, he co-organized Virtual Realms with Barbican Immersive. His award-winning games include Rez, Lumines, Child of Eden, Tetris Effect, and Humanity.

© DR

Read more

Event

Un Certain Regard Winners List 2025
Un Certain Regard Winners List 2025

Official Selection

Award for Best Immersive Work of the 78th Festival de Cannes
Award for Best Immersive Work of the 78th Festival de Cannes

News

The opening of the 78th Festival de Cannes live in French cinemas
The opening of the 78th Festival de Cannes live in French cinemas

News

Cannes’ Grand Auditorium Lumière installs Dolby Atmos Surround Sound
Cannes’ Grand Auditorium Lumière installs Dolby Atmos Surround Sound