All The Buzziest Cannes Hits Coming To Sydney Film Festival

It’s hard to believe that the Sydney Film Festival is almost back for another year, showcasing the best of what world cinema has to offer. As usual, a number of hits from Cannes will be playing at the festival, giving Australian audiences their first chance to see some of the year’s most daringly original films.

Here are all the award-winners (and a few more) from Cannes that are playing at the 2025 Sydney Film Festival!

It Was Just An Accident – Jafar Panahi

This year’s Palme d’Or winner is It Was Just An Accident, coming from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi who has long battled with his own country over his ability to make films. Despite him being restricted from making films and imprisoned in Iran for the content of his films, Panahi has always found a way to keep on creating.

Since winning the Palme d’Or, It Was Just An Accident has immediately been flagged as a serious awards contender. Praised as an “artfully crafted” revenge thriller that effortlessly weaves comedy into its narrative, it’s sure to be one of the hits of SFF given the attention it got at Cannes.

The Secret Agent – Kleber Mendonça Filho

Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent walked away from Cannes with both the Best Director and Best Actor awards, where critics and audiences alike were wowed by its traditional 70s thriller set amidst Brazil’s tumultuous 1970s.

Starring Narcos’ Wagner Moura and featuring everything from body horror to eroticism, The Secret Agent makes its way to Sydney Film Festival with plenty of buzz behind it. Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss out!

The President’s Cake – Hasan Hadi

Iraq, 1990: a young girl named Lamia is on a quest to bake a cake despite brutal sanctions and the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, until her journey takes on much more import than she anticipated. Such is the plot of The Presidents Cake, a debut film by Hasan Hadi that won the Camera d’Or and Directors Fortnight Audience Choice Award at Cannes.

Those who have seen it say it has potential to be Iraq’s first ever nominee for an Academy Award, with particular praise for its performances, filmmaking and poignant themes. See why it’s gotten rave reviews when it comes to SFF in just a few weeks.

My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr. 

Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow is the first Nigerian film to enter the Cannes Official Selection and is another feature debut that was honoured with the Camera d’Or Special Mention. The film follows young brothers Remi and Akin on a day trip to the city of Lagos with their estranged father in the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian election.

Critics have praised Akinola Davies Jr. as the “real deal” thanks to My Father’s Shadow, which has been described as a beautifully impressive debut. Starring Slow Horses and Gangs of London actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, it sounds like a sensational film to add to your festival watchlist.

The Love That Remains – Hlynur Pálmason

Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason walked out of Cannes with what might be the festival’s most prestigious award… the Palme Dog. Joining Anatomy of a Fall’s Messi as alumni for the award, the dog known as Panda helped take home the gold for The Love That Remains.

Outside of the praise for its photogenic pooch, The Love That Remains drew acclaim at Cannes for its portrayal of a fractured family with its humour and beautiful visuals. Pálmason previously directed Godland, a film applauded for its remarkable cinematography, and it looks like his next effort is no different.

The Mastermind – Kelly Reichhardt 

Though it didn’t pick up any major awards, Kelly Reichhardt’s The Mastermind received plenty of love for its 70s-set heist movie about an amateur art thief. Featuring Josh O’Connor (Challengers) and Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza), it’s been praised for its surprisingly realistic portrayal of a floundering robber.

Eddington – Ari Aster

Ari Aster has never shied away from controversy, and his COVID-era Western Eddington was one of the most divisive films throughout all of Cannes. Showered with love by some for its depiction of American daily life and lambasted by others as an utter mess, this bizarre film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal will at least give you a lot to talk about.

Sydney Film Festival runs from Wednesday June 4th until Sunday June 15th. See the full program here.