Cannes Film Festival 2025
The Cannes Film Festival has revealed its 2025 lineup, featuring celebrated work from Tisch Grad Film alumni, students, and faculty.
Director's Fortnight
"The President's Cake" by Hasan Hadi
The President's Cake, written and directed by Grad Film alum Hasan Hadi, and produced by alum Leah Chen Baker: While people struggle daily to survive under sanctions in Saddam's Iraq, nine-year-old Lamia must use her wits to gather ingredients for the mandatory cake to celebrate President Saddam Hussein's birthday or face the consequences—prison or death.
"Sorry, Baby" featuring cinematography by Mia Cioffi Henry
Sorry, Baby, featuring cinematography by Grad Film Professor Mia Cioffi Henry: Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on - for everyone around her, at least.
"Nervous Energy" by Eve Liu
Nervous Energy, written and directed by Grad Film alum Eve Liu, produced by alums Gregory Barnes, Alex Bendo, & MFA Candidate Elias Putnam, cinematography by alum Mélanie Akoka, and acting by alum Ramzi Bashour: On the cusp of success/failure, two unhinged female filmmakers decide to break up with their boyfriends, and for once, make a bold decision with their lives.
ACID
"Drunken Noodles" by Lucio Castro
Drunken Noodles, written and directed by Grad Film Adjunct Faculty Lucio Castro: “Drunken Noodles” follows Adnan, a young art student spending the summer in the city to apartment-sit. He begins interning at a gallery where an unconventional older artist he once encountered is being exhibited. As moments from his past and present begin to intertwine, a series of encounters – both artistic and erotic – open cracks in his everyday reality.
LA CINEF
"Talk Me" by Joecar Hanna
Talk Me, written, directed, and starring Grad Film alum Joecar Hanna, produced by MFA candidate Belu Poncio, and cinematography by alum Sam Motamedi: In a world where casual sex is routine and genuine conversation is taboo, Pedro, a mixed-race outsider trapped in a passionless marriage, secretly escapes through music. When he meets Kira, another outsider who shares his yearning for true intimacy, they begin a risky conversational affair, determined to flee their repressive town for "The Big City," where people freely speak their truths.
Out of Competition - Official Selection
"Highest 2 Lowest" by Spike Lee
Highest 2 Lowest directed by Grad Film Professor Spike Lee: When a titan music mogul (Denzel Washington), widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma. Brothers Denzel Washington and Spike Lee reunite for the 5th in their long working relationship for a reinterpretation of the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller High and Low, now played out on the mean streets of modern day New York City.