by The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has officially begun handing out awards — and the first major winners come from one of its most exciting side events: the 64th Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique). Known for highlighting bold new voices and unique visions in global cinema, this year’s jury was led by acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen, and featured an international panel including Franco-Moroccan critic Jihane Bougrine, cinematographer Josée Deshaies, Indonesian producer Yulia Evina Bhara, and British actor-director Daniel Kaluuya.
Here’s a breakdown of the highlights and full winners list from this year’s edition.
Grand Prize Winner: A Ghost in a Vacuum Cleaner
The Grand Prize 2025 was awarded to the Thai fantastical drama A Useful Ghost (Pee Chai Dai Ka) by director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke. In this surreal yet emotionally charged story, a grieving man encounters the reincarnation of a young woman — as a vacuum cleaner. Yes, you read that right. The “useful ghost” of the title becomes both a metaphor and a deeply human character in this inventive and haunting film.
Other Major Winners
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French Touch Jury Prize: Imago by Déni Oumar Pitsaev, a visually daring and poetic exploration of identity and memory.
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Gan Foundation Award for Distribution: Left-Handed Girl by Shih-Ching Tsou, co-written and produced by Sean Baker (Anora), earns €20,000 to support its French release via Le Pacte.
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SACD Award (Best Screenplay): Sleepless City (Ciudad sin sueño) by Guillermo Galoe & Victor Alonso-Berbel.
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Louis Roederer Revelation Prize: Théodore Pellerin for his captivating lead role in Nino by Pauline Loquès. Pellerin, previously praised for roles in Juste la fin du monde and Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, delivers another career-defining performance as he navigates a soulful journey through the streets of Paris.
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Discovery Prize for Best Short Film (Leitz Cine): L’mina by Randa Maroufi.
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Canal+ Award for Best Short Film: Erogenesis by Xandra Popescu.
What Is Critics’ Week?
Established in 1962, Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique) is the oldest parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival and focuses exclusively on first and second films from emerging filmmakers. Since 1990, it has awarded prizes to spotlight breakthrough talent. Each year, seven feature films and seven short films compete for the top honors, while out-of-competition selections also showcase bold, genre-pushing cinema.
With stories ranging from spectral reincarnation to emotional wanderings in the heart of Paris, Critics’ Week 2025 proves once again that cinema’s freshest and most fearless voices are alive and thriving.
Stay tuned to TipsClear for more coverage from Cannes 2025 — including red carpet highlights, Palme d’Or predictions, and exclusive interviews with the festival’s most talked-about talents
