Festivals - Cannes 2025: The Grand Auditorium Lumière goes Dolby Atmos, a sound revolution for cinema

By Mulder, 12 may 2025

On the eve of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, a resounding announcement is set to transform the cinematic experience for festival-goers. The legendary Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where the films in the Official Selection are screened, is becoming the largest theater in Europe equipped with Dolby Atmos® immersive sound technology. This major advance reaffirms Cannes' commitment as the world capital of cinema, always at the forefront of innovation. For discerning film lovers and industry professionals, this new installation is much more than a technical upgrade: it is a true revolution. Imagine yourself comfortably seated in one of the 2,309 seats in this legendary theater, with sound moving above, around, and through you, creating a total immersion that transcends the simple film projection. The goal is ambitious: to offer festival-goers and filmmakers the best possible conditions to appreciate the works as they were imagined by their creators. What makes this transformation even more remarkable is the way it has been achieved. The installation is impressive in its scale and precision. A total of 128 permanent speakers, including 20 in the ceiling, have been installed without altering the existing architectural structure. The technical challenge required 5 kilometers of cable and 29 amplifiers to guarantee exceptional three-dimensional sound reproduction. To achieve this feat, a specialized team, including rope acrobats, was mobilized to install the suspended speakers. This high-flying work is perfectly in keeping with the grandeur of the project.

The initiative is a joint venture between the Cannes Film Festival, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, and the City of Cannes. Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival, welcomed this development: “The Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière is one of the legendary venues of world cinema, where artists, works and audiences come together. The integration of Dolby Atmos technology in this exceptional venue promises to offer an unprecedented experience for festival-goers, filmmakers and sound engineers alike.” This statement underscores the ambitious vision of the Festival, which for decades has always sought to renew itself without ever denying its cinematic heritage. By embracing the latest technologies, Cannes is demonstrating that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously, providing the perfect setting for the presentation of the most outstanding works in the official selection.

But beyond innovation, this is a true declaration of love for cinema. David Lisnard, mayor of the city, highlights the importance of this approach: “In Cannes, we promote cinema as a total sensory experience, where sound and image form a duo capable of moving, questioning and bringing people together.” By investing one million euros, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is affirming its desire to innovate while respecting the history of this iconic venue. This enthusiasm is shared by Jean-Michel Arnaud, president of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, who says: “The installation of Dolby Atmos immersive sound in the Salle Louis Lumière marks a major technological advance and reinforces our commitment to offering the best possible experience to film professionals and audiences alike.” This technological choice embodies a clear vision: to make Cannes a benchmark for the cinema experience.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to discover this new dimension of sound from May 13 to 24 during the 78th edition of the Festival. For Dolby, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, this partnership reinforces its historic link with the world of cinema. Friedrich Deininger, Director of Sales for Europe, is delighted: “The technical specifications of this installation are impressive, and we are thrilled that Dolby Atmos will offer new creative possibilities to filmmakers around the world.” This year more than ever, the Cannes Film Festival is not only a showcase for the best in world cinema, but also a laboratory for immersive and innovative experiences. With Dolby Atmos at the Grand Auditorium Lumière, Cannes confirms its status as the world capital of cinema, combining tradition and modernity in an exceptional sound setting.

Photo: @fannyrlphotography

(Source: press release)