Sean Baker-Produced ‘Left-Handed Girl’ Leads Cannes Critics’ Week Lineup

The Cannes Critics ‘Week, The Festival Sidebar Focusing on Directors’ First and Second Features, Unveiled ITS 2025 Lineup On Monday.

Competition Highlights Include Left-Handed GirlThe Solo Directorial Debut of Taiwanese Filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou, Known for Her Long-Standing Collaboration with Anora Director Sean Baker (Tsou Co-Directed 2004’s Take out d Was A Producer on Baker’s Tangerine, The Florida Projectand Red Rocket). Baker Co-Wrote and Edited the Taipei-Set Urban Melodrama, Which Centers on a Single Mother and Her Two Daughters Navigating Life on the Margins of the Taiwanese Capital.

Also Debuting in Critics’ Week is thai Director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke with A Useful Ghosta surrealist take on MotherHerhood in WHICH A WOMAN REINCARNATES as A Vacuum Cleaner. Thai Actress Mai Davika Hoorne Leads the Cast.

European Features in Competition Include Pauline Loquue ‘ NinoStarring Fast-Rising Quebecois Actor Théodore Pellerin (Lurker) as a young man adrift in the city after loming his apartment keys; Sleepless City from Spanish Director Guillermo Galoe, Which Follows Two Close Friends Faceing Separation Whos One Is Forced to Move Away; an Kika from Belgian Filmmaker Alexe Poukine, Starring Manon Clavel As A Social Worker Confronting an Unplenned Pregnancy Shortly After Her Partner’s Death.

Chechen Filmmaker Deni Oumar Pitsaev Will Present Imagoan Autobiographical Documentary Chronicling His Attempt to Construct A Modernist Home on Traditional Land in A Georgian Valley Near the Chechnya Border. From the Netherlands, Sven Bresser’s Debut Feature Reedland Follows A Reed Cuter Whose Discovery of A Teenage Girl’s Body Triggers A Haunting Obsense.

Belgian Director Laura Wandel Will Open the 64th Cannes Critics’ Week, Out of Competition in A Special Screening, with Her Child Custody Drama Adam’s Interest. Closing the Section, Also Out of Competition, Is Dandelion’s Odysseythe first animated feratures from japanese Director Momoko Seto, WHICH Follows The Journy of Four Dandelions Wich Survive A Nuclear Explosion and Seek A PLACE. French features Baise en vilefrom Director Martin Jauvat, Bildled As A “Walking Road -Movie” about an omployed young man, Played by Jauvat, Who Ambles AROUNDS Feature Love LettersA Dramatic Comedy About Two Married Women Awaiting Their First Child – Will Also Screen Out of Competition.

Spanish Director Rodrigo Sorogoyen (The Beasts) Heads up the Jury for the 64th Edition of Critics’ Week, JOINED by Oscar-Winning British Actor Daniel Kaluya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), Moroccan Journalist Jihane Bougrine, French-Canadian Cinematographer Josée Deshaies (Passages, The Beast), and Indonesian Producer Yulia Evina Bhara (Tiger stripes, Autobiography).

Critics’ Week (La Semaine de la Citique), Runs May 14-22, Alongside the Main Cannes Film Festival. The Section, Organized by the French Film Critics’ Union, is Famed As A Spot to Find Up-Economing Talent. Many of the Biggest Names in International Art-House Cinema Got Their Start in the Sidebar.

Two-Time Palme d’or Winner ken loach brouphht his foature debut Kes to cryics’ week in 1970. Justine Triet, Winner of the Palme d’Or with Anatomy of aval in 2023, Made Her Festival Premiere at Critics’ Week with Her Second Feature, Victoria in 2013.julia ducournau debuted in the Section with Her First Film, Rawin 2016. Ducournau’s follow-up, TitaneWon the Palme d’or in 2021 and her third film, Alpha Will Premiere in the Festival’s Main Competition This Year.

Check Out The Critics’ Week Lineup Below.

Competition

ImagoDir. Déni oumar pitsaev

KikaDir. Alexe Poukine

Left-Handed GirlDir. Shih-Ching Tsou

NinoDir. Pauline loquès

ReedlandDir. Sven Bresser

Sleepless CityDir. Guillermo Galoe

A Useful GhostDir. Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke

Special Screenings

Adam’s InterestDir. Laura Wandel Opening Film

Baise en vileDir. Martin Jauvat

Love LettersDir. Alice Douard

Dandelion’s OdysseyDir. Momoko Seto Closing Film