This author is bringing her razor-sharp eye for storytelling to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival jury.
Fez – This year’s Cannes Film Festival is about to get a serious boost of literary brilliance.
French-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani, known for her sharp pen and fearless storytelling, has been officially announced as a juror for the 78th edition of the festival, set to unfold from May 13 to May 24.
Slimani’s appointment is more than just a nod to her global influence, it’s a statement.
The author of “The Perfect Nanny” and “Sex and Lies” has built a career on dissecting the human experience with razor-sharp precision.
Now, she’ll bring that same keen eye to the silver screen, helping to crown this year’s Palme d’Or winner.
Slimani isn’t alone in this prestigious task. Joining her on the jury are a dazzling group of talents: Oscar-winning actress and filmmaker Halle Berry, Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher, Congolese documentary director Dieudo Hamadi, South Korean auteur Hong Sangsoo, celebrated Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas, and Succession star Jeremy Strong.
And presiding over this impressive ensemble? The luminous Juliette Binoche, who was previously announced as the Jury President.
Together, this group will deliberate over the 21 films vying for the festival’s top honors, including the coveted Palme d’Or, the Grand Prix, the Jury Prize, and the awards for Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Actor.
While the roster is undeniably star-studded, Leïla Slimani’s presence brings a distinct cultural and intellectual depth to the table.
A champion of free expression and a fearless commentator on society’s deepest contradictions, Slimani’s perspective promises to add a unique flavor to the jury’s deliberations.
Her background, straddling literature, journalism, and human rights advocacy, makes her a particularly exciting addition at a time when cinema is increasingly exploring bold, boundary-pushing narratives.
For Slimani, stepping into the world of cinema judging isn’t exactly foreign territory.
Her novels have often danced on the edge of cinematic storytelling, with tension, character complexity, and atmosphere that could easily translate to the screen.
Now, she’ll be judging some of the world’s finest filmmakers, an intersection of art forms that feels both inevitable and electrifying.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is shaping up to be a meeting point of different voices, visions, and continents, and with Leïla Slimani on the jury, expect the conversations to be as riveting as the films themselves.
