Festivals - Deauville 2025: Discover the Jury for the 51st American Film Festival

By Mulder, 12 august 2025

The 51st edition of the Deauville American Film Festival promises to be one of the cultural highlights of fall 2025, and once again this year, the announcement of the jury lineup is generating as much curiosity as enthusiasm. This group of eight personalities will have the important and prestigious task of awarding the prizes at the closing ceremony on September 13. In the hushed corridors of Deauville, it is often said that the choice of jury reflects the spirit of the upcoming festival, and looking at this list, one senses a desire to balance artistic sensibility, international experience, and diversity of perspectives. The discussions promise to be as passionate as they are stimulating, reflecting the eclectic nature of the films presented each year on the screens of the Normandy resort.

At the head of this jury is Golshifteh Farahani, an actress, musician, and singer with a rich and daring international career, capable of navigating between Hollywood productions, European arthouse films, and intimate musical projects. Her presence in Deauville is almost symbolic: that of a free artist who has made cultural exploration and personal expression her signature. Previous editions have featured artists who left their mark on the Jury, but with Golshifteh Farahani, we can expect a poetic yet incisive perspective on contemporary American cinema.

Alongside her, Thomas Cailley, a renowned director and screenwriter, brings a deeply narrative and human vision, as evidenced by his works, where the sensitivity of the characters always takes precedence over showmanship. We can imagine that his exchanges with Golshifteh Farahani will give rise to lively discussions on how stories transcend genres.

The Jury will also be able to count on Eye Haïdara, an actress with magnetic charisma and an impressive range, whose ability to embody raw emotions makes her a keen observer of actors' performances. Katell Quillévéré, writer and director, completes the team with experience that combines finesse of writing and a keen sense of direction.

Her films are known for never shying away from the darker sides of her characters, which could influence her view of the works in competition. Alongside her, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, an actress with an international career, embodies timeless elegance combined with a keen taste for nuanced roles.

Her presence reminds us that cinema, even in its most contemporary forms, is part of a tradition of acting and sensitivity. Vincent Macaigne, actor, writer, director, and filmmaker, will undoubtedly bring an iconoclastic and passionate perspective.

Accustomed to shaking up conventions on stage and on screen, he could spark unexpected debates, leading the Jury to explore original avenues of reflection. The presence of Benjamin Millepied, choreographer and director, evokes the importance of movement, visual choreography, and rhythm in the language of cinema. His experience in the world of dance and cinema will undoubtedly enable him to appreciate the works from a unique aesthetic and sensory perspective.

Finally, Emilie Tronche, director, screenwriter, and animator, completes this mosaic of talent. Her versatile profile and understanding of the various professions in the film industry make her a jury member capable of taking into account both the narrative and technical aspects of a film. The jury as a whole reflects a rare balance: personalities from a variety of disciplines, a mix of generations and backgrounds that promises a selection of winners that is as thoughtful as it is surprising.

In the history of the Deauville American Film Festival, each jury has left its mark, whether through bold choices or consensual selections. But with Golshifteh Farahani and this eclectic team, there is already palpable excitement in the salty air of the Côte Fleurie. We can expect lively debates, contrasting sensibilities, and the films selected this year to receive careful and passionate attention. On September 13, when the winners take to the stage to receive their awards, it will be the result of intense exchanges between these eight unique voices, brought together by a shared love of cinema and the inimitable magic of Deauville.

(Source: press release)