Festivals - Gérardmer 2025 : Portrait of the Presidents of the Juries and Festival Ambitions

By Mulder, 14 january 2025

The Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival is about to open the doors to its 32nd edition, scheduled for January 2025. Over the years, this not-to-be-missed event for European fantasy cinema has built up a solid reputation, attracting both established and emerging talents in the seventh art. This year, particular attention will be paid to the two artists chosen to preside over the juries: Vimala Pons, president of the feature film jury, and Emma Benestan, president of the short film jury. Two women, two atypical careers, two emblematic figures of French creative audacity.

For almost twenty years, Vimala Pons has been blazing a unique trail on the artistic scene. The product of an unconventional career path, she multiplies disciplines with remarkable agility: actress, circus artist, director, performer and musician. Her ability to juggle these different arts gives her a recognizable signature, marked by precise, demanding bodywork. First seen on the silver screen in 2013 with Antonin Peretjatko's La Fille du 14 juillet, Vimala Pons quickly confirmed her talent with La Loi de la jungle three years later. She continues to work on singular projects, ranging from absurdist comedy to drama, and has made a name for herself in genre films such as Bertrand Mandico's Les Garçons sauvages and Stéphane Castang's Vincent doit mourir. These fantastical, dreamlike collaborations have given her a special aura in genre cinema. At the same time, Vimala Pons has never ceased to invest the stage, with a succession of artistic performances and theatrical creations, while also taking part in exhibitions in contemporary art centers. She stands out for her willingness to blur the boundaries between genres and disciplines, a philosophy she defends by asserting that “interpretation is a universal superpower”. With such a vision, there's no doubt that her role as jury president will bring a sharp, innovative eye to the feature film competition.

While Vimala Pons shines as a performer, Emma Benestan stands out for her mastery of writing and directing. A graduate of the Fémis, she began her career as an editor on films by renowned directors such as Claire Simon (Gare du Nord, Le Concours) and Abdellatif Kechiche (La Vie d'Adèle, Mektoub, My Love). On the strength of this experience, she embarked on directing her own short films, exploring intimate themes with a unique sensitivity. In 2021, Emma Benestan directed her first feature film, Fragile, a tender and luminous sentimental comedy that was enthusiastically received. But it was in 2024, with her second film Animale, that she made a real turn towards genre cinema. This neo-western, presented at Critics' Week, stands out for its dreamlike aesthetic and subtle treatment of traumatic themes. With this film, Emma Benestan proves that she knows how to handle the codes of fantasy while maintaining a personal and committed approach. Emma Benestan doesn't just direct; she also co-writes films by other directors, such as Jean-Baptiste Durand's Chien de la casse, which won the César for Best First Film in 2024. This versatility and constant curiosity make her an ideal chairwoman for the short-film jury, able to appreciate both technique and original storytelling.

Beyond its emblematic jury presidents, the Festival de Gérardmer 2025 promises an exceptional selection, rich in emotion and reflection. True to its tradition, the festival offers a broad panorama of world fantasy cinema, mixing young talent with established directors. This year's themes reflect contemporary anxieties: pandemics, environmental upheavals, social unrest and the quest for bodily autonomy. The films in competition don't just tell stories; they are powerful allegories of our current world, offering audiences an experience that is both terrifying and introspective. From post-apocalyptic wastelands to supernatural curses and stories exploring psychological trauma, each screening promises to be an immersive journey into the collective imagination. The festival's ambition is to offer a space for discovery and reflection, where spectators can confront their deepest fears while celebrating the richness of genre cinema.

With Vimala Pons and Emma Benestan heading up the juries, this 32nd edition of Gérardmer promises to be a highlight of the cinematic year. Two creative personalities, two sharp eyes, for a competition that promises to be bold and innovative. Audiences, meanwhile, can look forward to a varied program of screenings, meetings with artists and debates, all in the unique, warm atmosphere of Gérardmer's cinemas. With the festival fast approaching, impatience is growing among fans of fantasy cinema. This 2025 edition is already shaping up to be an exceptional vintage, with inspiring figures and a selection of films that promise to shake up certainties and leave a lasting impression. A not-to-be-missed event for all genre enthusiasts and those in search of new sensations.

(Source: press release)