Lyon, the historic home of cinema, is once again hosting the prestigious Lumière Film Festival, which celebrates both the rich history and evolving landscape of filmmaking. This year’s 17th edition spotlights Guillermo del Toro Lumière Festival participation, with the acclaimed Mexican director returning to present Netflix’s highly anticipated film Frankenstein, alongside an impressive lineup of industry legends and rising talents.
Michael Mann to Receive Lumière Award as Festival Expands U.S. Ties
The festival, managed by Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux, honors Michael Mann with the Lumière Award recognizing his extensive contributions to cinema. In a concerted effort to deepen its connection with American film culture, the event features masterclasses by Natalie Portman—who will also produce a new animation—and guest of honor Sean Penn. Additionally, the festival is hosting its first comprehensive retrospective of Martin Ritt, a Hollywood director whose films earned 13 Oscar nominations for the actors he guided.
Guest Highlights: Sean Penn, Natalie Portman, and Martin Ritt Spotlight
Sean Penn will engage audiences by reflecting on his career as a director, accompanied by a special screening of his 2007 film Into the Wild. Natalie Portman fronts a tribute to Black Swan and introduces Arco, a fresh animated film from Ugo Bienvenu that she produced. The Martin Ritt retrospective allows viewers to revisit his socially impactful dramas, such as Hud, The Long Hot Summer, and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, revealing his distinct blend of social awareness and emotional depth.
Festival Embraces Global Cinema with Diverse International Perspectives
Chief programmer Maelle Arnaud emphasized the festival’s focus on international cinema, noting that their attention towards American filmmaking reflects current global challenges while maintaining a broad cultural scope.
“We felt it was important to turn our attention towards America – what’s going on has left us somewhat speechless in recent months – and to restate our love for its cinema, and our desire to celebrate it,”
Arnaud said. She also highlighted the presence of strong cinematic voices from Asia and Eastern Europe, underscoring the festival’s goal to present varied narratives worldwide.
Arnaud further explained,
“It’s a reminder that culture has its say in the making of history, and that bringing together narratives from different parts of the world is more important than ever given the fragility of the state of the world.”
Asian and Eastern European Filmmakers Featured Through Masterclasses and Retrospectives
The program includes masterclasses by Hong Kong director John Woo, noted for classics like The Killer and Hard Boiled, who will also present restored versions of his films. Legendary Japanese filmmaker Seijun Suzuki, recognized for his inventive style that influenced Quentin Tarantino and Wong Kar-wai, will be honored with screenings of five films. From Eastern Europe, Hungarian director István Szabó discusses his reflections on Europe’s turbulent history, while Konrad Wolf’s influential East German works will also be showcased.
Women Directors Gain Prominent Spotlight with Norwegian Filmmaker Anja Breien
Continuing its focus on women filmmakers, the festival highlights Norwegian director Anja Breien, a pivotal figure of her country‘s new wave cinema. Known for feminist and socially conscious stories such as Next of Kin and Paper Bird, Breien’s acclaimed Wives series revisits its characters over a decade, marking a significant contribution to feminist film history.
Tribute to French Actor and Theatre Director Louis Jouvet
French actor and theater director Louis Jouvet will be celebrated for his legacy that significantly influenced international acting traditions, notably through institutions like the Actors Studio and Lee Strasberg. According to Arnaud, Jouvet remains
“one of the great reference points for the Actors Studio and Lee Strasberg,”
reflecting the profound impact of French stage and screen on global performing arts.
Festival Premieres Include Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Other High-Profile Films
The festival features several high-profile premieres, such as Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix film Frankenstein and Disney’s Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White and directed by Scott Cooper. Maelle Arnaud remarked,
“While Lumière is rooted in cinema history, we believe honoring the past also means embracing the present.”
She also noted the growing influence of the festival as studios increasingly align their releases with its program, exemplified by del Toro’s tradition of debuting his latest works in Lyon.
Additional Film Screenings Showcase Emerging and Established Talents
The lineup includes Palme d’Or contenders such as Tarik Saleh’s Eagles of the Republic, the concluding film in his Cairo Trilogy, and Dominik Moll’s Dossier 137. Director debuts from acclaimed actresses Juliette Binoche (In-I Motion) and Shu Qi (Girl) are also featured. Isabelle Huppert, last year’s Lumière Award recipient, returns with Thierry Klifa’s La Femme la Plus Riche du Monde, while Rebecca Zlotowski presents Vie Privée.
Tributes to Film Legends and Immersive Classic Screenings
Classic cinema fans can enjoy screenings of works by John Ford, Werner Herzog, and Stanley Kubrick. Cine-concerts will enhance silent film classics such as Victor Sjöström’s The Wind (1928) with live orchestra and The Phantom Carriage (1921) with live organ accompaniment. The festival’s all-night filmathon will spotlight Japanese animation, celebrating masters from Hayao Miyazaki to Satoshi Kon.
Opening and Closing Features Line Up for a Memorable Festival Experience
The Lumière Festival opens on October 11 with Milos Forman’s iconic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and concludes on October 19 with Michael Mann’s crime thriller Heat, bookending the event with two landmark films from previous Lumière Award recipients.
