The Cannes 2024 Jury: A Diverse Panel Led by Greta Gerwig
As the Mediterranean sun gleamed outside the press conference hall, the nine jurors of the 77th Cannes Film Festival offered a glimpse into their collective mindset. The atmosphere was one of reverence for cinema, tempered by an acute awareness of their responsibility.
“This is not a dream I even knew to have,” confessed jury president Greta Gerwig, her voice carrying the weight of both honour and responsibility. The acclaimed “Barbie” director emphasised the deliberate nature of filmmaking—a “slow art form” that represents years of dedication and personal vision.
Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki, whose own “Capernaum” captivated Cannes in 2018, spoke passionately about cinema’s transformative potential. “Cinema really talks to you on your emotional frequency,” she explained, her eyes brightening as she described how films can inspire viewers to “change something in our lives.” Coming from Lebanon during tumultuous times, Labaki’s presence itself represented what she called “cultural resistance.”
Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino offered perhaps the most poetic perspective on their collective task. “One of the most peaceful things that we could do is seeking for beauty,” he reflected, suggesting that appreciating artistic beauty might lead society toward peace. The veteran performer acknowledged the gravity of their decisions while emphasizing the importance of celebrating creative expression.
© Rune Hellestad
Throughout the conference, the jurors repeatedly highlighted the rare opportunity they’d been given—not just to watch exceptional films, but to engage in meaningful dialogue about them. “There are very few places in the world today where you can have different stances and views but with a view to reaching a positive consensus,” observed Omar Sy, the French star of “The Intouchables.”
As the jury prepared to immerse themselves in ten days of screenings, their comments revealed a group united by reverence for the art form but diverse in their approaches. Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda spoke of giving back to the festival that nurtured his growth, while Native American actress Lily Gladstone expressed excitement about experiencing global perspectives through cinema.
The discussions that will unfold behind closed doors over the coming days remain private, but one thing was clear from their public comments: these nine individuals understand that their decisions will reverberate through filmmakers’ careers and cinema history. As Sy simply but powerfully put it, “A Palme d’Or can change the career of a film, the career of a person, change that person’s life.”
The Jury Members
Greta Gerwig (Jury President) – The 40-year-old American director comes to Cannes fresh from the massive success of “Barbie.” During the press conference, Gerwig expressed her gratitude, saying, “This is beyond a dream come true. This is not a dream I even knew to have.”
Lily Gladstone – The breakout star of Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” returns to Cannes after becoming the first Native American woman nominated for an Oscar. Gladstone described being on the jury as “a huge honour and privilege,” noting she’s looking forward to watching films from diverse perspectives around the globe.
Ebru Ceylan – Turkish photographer, actor, and screenwriter who co-wrote the 2014 Palme d’Or-winning film “Winter Sleep.” Ceylan has a long history with Cannes, having contributed to several competition films including “About Dry Grasses” and “Three Monkeys.”
Eva Green – French actress known for her roles in the James Bond franchise, Ridley Scott‘s “Kingdom of Heaven,” and the TV series “Penny Dreadful.” Green emphasised the subjective nature of judging art and the responsibility of the role, noting that “your decision will change a filmmaker’s life.”
Juan Antonio Bayona – Spanish director who gained international recognition with his horror film “The Orphanage” and recently earned an Oscar nomination for “Society of the Snow.” Bayona compared being on the jury to a “young student dream in cinema.”
Nadine Labaki – Lebanese director and screenwriter known for her film “Capernaum,” which earned her Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Oscar nominations. Labaki spoke movingly about representing Lebanon during difficult times, saying, “Being here is a sort of a triumph… another proof for me that cultural resistance prevails.”
Pierfrancesco Favino – Italian actor with an extensive career in both Italian and Hollywood films, having appeared in competition films like “The Traitor” and “Nostalgia.” During the press conference at the Palais des festivals, Favino emphasised the importance of having “free spaces” for meaningful discussions about cinema.
Hirokazu Kore-eda – Japanese director who won the 2018 Palme d’Or for “Shoplifters” and returned last year with “Monster,” which won best screenplay. Kore-eda described feeling responsibility to “give back” to the festival that helped him grow as a director.
Omar Sy – French actor known for “The Intouchables,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and “Jurassic World.” Sy spoke about the responsibility of jury decisions, noting, “a Palme d’Or can change the career of a film, the career of a person, change that person’s life.”
The jury will view all competition films over the next ten days before making their final decisions on the Palme d’Or and other awards, carrying the weighty responsibility of potentially changing filmmakers’ careers with their choices.
Editor in Chief of Ikon London Magazine, journalist, film producer and founder of The DAFTA Film Awards (The DAFTAs).
