French actress Juliette Binoche has been appointed as the president of the international jury for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, scheduled from May 13 to May 24, 2025.

Binoche made her Cannes debut 40 years ago in Rendez-vous, directed by André Téchiné, which premiered at the festival in 1985. Reflecting on her journey, she stated, “I was born at the Festival de Cannes.” Now, four decades later, she returns to the festival in a prestigious role, leading the jury that will present the coveted Palme d’Or on May 24.

She succeeds American director Greta Gerwig, marking the second consecutive year that a woman has passed on this honor in the festival’s history.

In her statement, Juliette Binoche expressed: “I’m eager to share these life experiences with the Jury members and the audience. In 1985, I ascended the Steps for the first time, filled with the enthusiasm and uncertainty of a young actress; I never envisioned returning 40 years later in the esteemed role of Jury President. I value this privilege, the responsibility it entails, and the essential need for humility.”

A familiar face at Cannes, Binoche has collaborated with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers globally, including Michael Haneke, David Cronenberg, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Olivier Assayas, Claire Denis, and Anh Hung Tran. In 2010, she earned the Best Actress award at Cannes for her performance in Certified Copy by Abbas Kiarostami.

Notably, Binoche is the only actress to have won Best Actress accolades at all three major European film festivals—Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. She received the Volpi Cup at Venice in 1994 for Three Colors: Blue and the Silver Bear at Berlin for The English Patient, a role that also garnered her an Academy Award and a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.