The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, held from May 13 to 24, 2025, marks another strong presence for Mexico on the French Riviera. This year, the country brings a diverse delegation, featuring restored classics, short films, animation, genre cinema, and works-in-progress, highlighting the vibrancy and depth of Mexican filmmaking.
Mexico’s relationship with the Cannes Film Festival stretches back to its inaugural edition in 1946, when María Candelaria took home the Grand Prix. Since then, the country has maintained a steady, if quietly assured, presence on the Croisette—moving from golden age classics to bold contemporary voices. In 2025, that legacy continues with a diverse delegation spanning restored masterpieces, genre cinema, and emerging talent poised for international recognition.
Now, halfway through the festival, Mexico’s contributions have already generated significant attention and acclaim.
Amores Perros Returns in 4K
One of the highlights in the Cannes Classics section—which features restored films and cinema tributes—is the 4K restoration of Amores Perros, by Alejandro González Iñárritu, celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Supervised by Iñárritu and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, this new version has been warmly received by critics and audiences. The film, which originally won the Critics’ Week Grand Prize in 2000, returns to Cannes as a defining piece of modern Mexican cinema.
New Voices and Projects in Development
In La Fabrique Cinéma, an initiative supporting projects in development, Laura Baumeister represents Mexico with Lo que sigue es mi muerte. The selection underscores the festival’s continued interest in nurturing new voices from Latin America.
At the Short Film Corner, a professional space for short films, the following Mexican works are being presented:
- Desdoblándome, by Andrea Natalia Arriaga Pájaro (Mexico, 2025) – supported by FOCINE
- La ira del olvido, by Tino de la Huerta (Mexico-Spain, 2024)
- Un lugar en tierra prometida, by César Ricardo Alfaro Rivera (Mexico, 2025)
In addition, the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF) showcases the program “¡Fiesta Mexicana! – The Best of GIFF”, featuring:
- ¡Beso de lengua!, by José Luis Zorrero
- El arte de morir, by Jonathan César Saúl Palomares Hernández
- El neceser rojo, by Serge García
- El tono del mar, by Micaela Bolaños Meade
- Mientras no estás, by Rebeca Sarahí Rodríguez Andrade
- Promesa, by Osvaldo García Juárez
- Salvar a Milka del Agua, by Michelle Alexandra Fernández Olivares
- Ser semilla, by Julia Granillo Tostado (Belgium-Finland-Mexico-Portugal co-production)
Mexican Shorts at Critics’ Week
In partnership with the Morelia International Film Festival, four Mexican short films are featured in the Critics’ Week selection:
- Aguacuario, by José Eduardo Castilla Ponce (Mexico, 2023)
- Buscando un burro, by Juan Vicente Manrique (Mexico-Venezuela, 2024)
- Ser semilla, by Julia Granillo Tostado
- Spiritum, by Adolfo Margulis (Mexico, 2024)
Mexican Genre Cinema at the Fantastic Pavilion
Within the Marché du Film, the Fantastic Pavilion—organized by Grupo Mórbido under Fantastic Focus México—offers a platform for Mexican horror and fantasy cinema. Featured finished films include:
- The Remedy, by Alex Kahuam (Mexico, 2025)
- Disappear Completely, by Luis Javier Henaine (Mexico, 2023)
- Huesera, by Michelle Garza Cervera (Mexico-Peru, 2022)
- The Grand Luciferio Show, by Caye Casas (Mexico-Spain, 2025)
- Lux Noctis, by Damiana Acuña Termine (Mexico, 2024)
- Even Darker Than the Night, by Carlos Enrique Taboada (Mexico, 1975)
- Montenegro, by Eduardo Valenzuela (Mexico, 2024)
Projects in development include:
- Cachorra, by Elisa Puerto Aubel (Mexico-USA)
- En llamas, by Alberto Ruzansky (Mexico)
- Game Over, by Carlos Marín (Mexico, 2024)
- Talking to Strangers, by Adrián García Bogliano (Mexico, 2025)
- El Muglur, by Lucila Las Heras (Mexico, 2025)
- Tekenchu, the Forest Guardian, by Carlos Matienzo Serment (Mexico, 2022)
A Nation with a Lasting Cinematic Legacy
As the festival enters its final days, Mexico’s impact at Cannes 2025 is undeniable. From the emotional return of Amores Perros to the originality of genre films and the promise of emerging talent, the Mexican presence has proven both broad and deep.
Whether or not any of these works receive an award on May 25, the true achievement lies in the ongoing and growing visibility of Mexican cinema across every section of Cannes. In short, Mexico continues to affirm itself as a formidable force in world cinema.
