France – The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicks off Tuesday, May 13, 2025, with the global film community rallying against US President Donald Trump’s proposed 100 percent tariffs on international films. The controversial policy, part of Trump’s aggressive trade agenda, has ignited outrage among filmmakers, producers, and industry leaders gathered on the French Riviera to celebrate a diverse slate of cinema from nearly every corner of the world.
Trump’s tariff plan, announced amid rising global tensions, threatens to cripple the international film industry by making it prohibitively expensive for foreign films to enter the US, the world’s largest box office. The move is seen as a direct attack on cultural exchange and artistic freedom, with critics arguing it could devastate independent and arthouse cinema while limiting American audiences’ access to global perspectives.
“This is an assault on creativity and the very spirit of cinema,” said French director Céline Sciamma, whose latest film is in competition at Cannes. “Cannes thrives on the diversity of voices—Trump’s tariffs would silence many of them.” Sciamma’s sentiments echo those of filmmakers from South Korea, Iran, Brazil, and beyond, who see the policy as a xenophobic attempt to prioritize Hollywood blockbusters over international artistry.The festival’s opening press conference struck a defiant tone. “Cinema is a universal language that no tariff can suppress,” said festival director Thierry Frémaux, sidestepping direct political commentary but emphasizing Cannes’ role as a platform for global storytelling. This year’s lineup, featuring bold works like Mohammad Rasoulof’s politically charged The Seed of the Sacred Fig and Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, underscores the festival’s commitment to provocative, borderless narratives.The tariff threat has galvanized the industry into action.
European and Asian producers are exploring alliances with streaming platforms and alternative markets to bypass potential US restrictions. Meanwhile, prominent figures like Cate Blanchett, a vocal advocate for cultural diversity, are expected to use the Cannes spotlight to condemn the policy. “Art should never be a casualty of politics,” Blanchett said in a recent interview, hinting at a planned statement during the festival.Trump’s proposal comes at a time when global cinema is already grappling with economic challenges and geopolitical strife, from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to climate crises reflected in many of this year’s documentaries. The tariffs would exacerbate these pressures, particularly for smaller film industries reliant on Cannes for international exposure.As stars like Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy grace the red carpet, the festival’s glamour will be tempered by a sense of urgency. Filmmakers are calling for solidarity to protect the global film ecosystem, with some urging audiences to support international cinema in defiance of Trump’s policies. The 78th Cannes Film Festival, running through May 24, 2025, promises to be a battleground for artistic freedom, with the world watching to see how the industry responds to this unprecedented threat.
