©Erika Hebbert

The Biarritz Film Festival – NOUVELLES VAGUES is honored to welcome Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel as this year’s Jury President. Norwegian director and screenwriter born in 1990, he embodies a new generation of European filmmakers whose sensitivity and narrative mastery are revitalizing the landscape of auteur cinema.

Coming from a legendary cinematic lineage — grandson of Liv Ullmann and Ingmar Bergman — Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel has carved out his own artistic path, far from the shadows of his illustrious predecessors. His work, characterized by a subtle exploration of human relationships, unspoken tensions, and social dynamics, resonates strongly in Armand (2024), his debut feature film which was awarded the Caméra d’Or at Cannes (prize for the best first feature across all sections) as well as the FIPRESCI Prize at the European Film Awards. Centered on an incident between two children in a school, the film delicately probes the adult world through the lens of childhood — a theme that aligns closely with the spirit of the festival.

Through both his short and feature films, he explores youth with a gaze that is both critical and empathetic, capturing its flaws, raw emotions, and search for identity that define this pivotal stage of life. His cinematic approach — at the crossroads of the personal and the political — makes him an ideal jury president for a festival devoted to youth: their dreams, their anger, their contradictions, and their transformative power.

Under his leadership, the jury will strive to honor bold works that carry a strong and sincere vision of contemporary youth. His presence promises a thoughtful and discerning perspective on emerging voices in cinema, in harmony with the festival’s core values of attentiveness, innovation, and the transmission of stories.

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, born in 1990, is a Norwegian director and screenwriter, based in Oslo. He studied directing at Westerdals School of arts. His debut feature Armand (2024), starring Renate Reinsve, won the Camera d’or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and the European Discovery - Prix FIPRESCI at the 37th European Film awards. In 2025, he earned a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for a First feature at the 77th Directors Guild of America Awards. 

The Cannes current edition which just ended a week ago, taking place 16-20 of June announced the Lions for Film, Dan Wieden Titanium, Glass: The Lion for Change, Sustainable Development Goals, Grand Prix for Good and Special Awards

France and the USA win two Grands Prix each. Brazil and New Zealand each win one

20 June 2025 - As the 72nd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity comes to a close, the final Awards Show honoured the winners of Film, Titanium, Glass: The Lion for Change, Sustainable Development Goals and Grand Prix for Good. Also presented were the Special Awards, the culmination of all points earned by companies throughout the week.

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, said: “This week we’ve taken our industry on an exhilarating journey of the very best creative work. Huge congratulations to each and every brilliant winner and shortlist for the phenomenal recognition bestowed by peers. This is a time for immense pride as we celebrate the transformative power of breakthrough ideas that challenge conventions, solve problems and create meaningful connections.”

Glass: The Lion for Change

From 253 entries received, eight Lions were awarded: one Gold, two Silver, four Bronze, with the Grand Prix going to ‘Real Beauty: How a Soap Brand Created a Global Self-Esteem Movement’ for Dove by Ogilvy UK, London.

To help more women feel more beautiful every day, Dove has framed everyday women as ‘Real Women’, representing real beauty. ‘Real Beauty’ is now more than a creative idea. It is the combination of a distinctive point of view that repeatedly fuels new campaign ideas.

Jury President KR Liu, Global Head of Product Innovation and Marketing Partnerships for Platforms and Devices, Google, said: “This year’s Grand Prix winner was selected because it moved beyond awareness to deliver consistent, measurable, societal impact. It showed what’s possible when creative brand storytelling is backed by community partnership and deep cultural understanding. In a field full of strong contenders, this work stood out for its continuous impact and commitment – not just as a campaign, but as a catalyst for real change for women and all aspects of the multiple communities they represent.”

Sustainable Development Goals Lions

From 481 entries received, 16 Lions were awarded: four Gold, four Silver, seven Bronze and the Grand Prix, awarded to ‘The Amazon Greenventory’, for NATURA, by Africa Creative DDB, São Paulo.

By leveraging artificial intelligence and drone technology, Natura conducted the largest tree inventory in Amazon history – 400 km² mapped in just six months. It identified 30,000 trees with cosmetic potential and empowered local communities by improving harvesting methods, boosting incomes and deepening their connection to the land. Natura aims to preserve 3m hectares of forest by 2030.

Josy Paul, Chairperson and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO India, and Jury President, commented: “Good work informs. Great work transforms. That’s exactly what the SDG Jury saw in Natura’s ‘Amazon Greenventory’. It wasn’t just impressive, it was transformational. This groundbreaking initiative challenged the belief that profit in the Amazon must come at the cost of deforestation. A powerful demonstration that sustainable profit can come from innovation, not destruction. It’s work that doesn’t just create impressions but leaves a lasting impression on the world.”

This campaign is Brazil’s first Grand Prix in this Lion.

Film Lions

From 1642 entries received, 52 Lions were awarded: eight Gold

BENTONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL, LED BY GEENA DAVIS, ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 11TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL

“Rosemead” Wins Best Narrative Award

“The Librarians” Wins Best Documentary Award

The Bentonville Film Foundation, in collaboration with founding partner, Walmart, and presenting sponsor, Coca-Cola, announced the winners of their narrative, documentary, homegrown, short film, and episodic categories from the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival’s competition program. The 11th anniversary of the festival ran from June 16-22 in Bentonville, AR. The annual Festival is a globally recognized platform that champions the transformative power of storytelling—creating space for a world where every voice matters and every story is seen, heard, and valued.

“Rosemead” from Eric Lin won the award for Best Narrative Award and “The Librarians” directed by Kim A. Snyder took home the prize for Best Documentary Award. Additionally, the Rising to the Challenge Award, was presented to Lucy Liu, producer and star of “Rosemead”. The Rising to the Challenge Award has been given to a select few artists in the history of Bentonville Film Festival and honoring those who represent the true impact of supporting independent film both in front of and behind the camera. The Rising to the Challenge Award celebrates artists who put their talent, passion and experience on the line in the service of empowering stories that are otherwise underrepresented.

“These awards reflect the passion and drive of storytellers, whose work will continue to broaden perspectives and engage audiences throughout the year,” said Bentonville Film Festival Chair Geena Davis. “We congratulate our BFF award winners and we’re so thankful to every filmmaker here for their contributions to the success of this year’s BFF!”

Additional winners are as follows:

Best Narrative

Jury: Marie Jamora (Director; Guest Artistic Director of AFI's Directing Workshop for Women), Bomani J. Story (Director, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster)

Best Narrative: ROSEMEAD

(Director, Eric Lin; Writer, Marilyn Fu; Producers, Mynette Louie, Andrew Corkin, Lucy Liu)

Jury Statement: “Rosemead” captures the terrifying realities of motherhood in our contemporary era.  When culture, society, and healthcare break down, how can a mother protect her own child? With a powerhouse performance from the often underused Lucy Liu, you understand every choice she makes. Director Eric Lin sparks real world conversations about the society we’re living in through an intimate, unflinching film based on true events in the San Gabriel Valley. The very essence of what great cinema can do. 

Special Jury Mention for Directorial Vision: COLOR BOOK

(Director/Writer, David Fortune; Producers, Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey-Ford)

Jury Statement: David Fortune’s “Color Book” makes daring choices through form and subject matter.  In a stripped down tale of a father just trying to get his son to a baseball game, the film unearths profound themes about the world we live in with a consistent command of beautiful visuals, performances, and crisp storytelling. Fortune’s vision speaks through a confident hand like he’s done this many times before.

Special Jury Mention for Ensemble Cast: ADULT CHILDREN

(Director/Producer, Ric

Carlos V. Gutierrez is a film and television director whose work has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Emmy Award, and has been featured on HBO and Showtime. In the commercial world, Carlos is a highly sought after director who works on national campaigns for Turbo Tax, Princess Cruises, Exxon / Mobil, Chevy and numerous others. His commercial work for clients includes a Super Bowl commercial and PSA's that have won international recognition.

In a recent interview with Carlos, here is what he had to say:

You started your media career in advertising and won awards in that career. How did you get into advertising?

CARLOS: I was studying to be a doctor and just had one of those epiphanies where you realize you’re meant for something else. I promised my parents I would have a job before graduating from undergrad and found advertising as a great way to create and learn how productions are put together.

How was your experience studying at NYU and how did you go about making your first short films?

CARLOS: I really think film school is a personal experience (especially at the grad level). It’s what you make of it and if you’re willing to subscribe to the fact the first year is a boot camp. The staff and professors want you to vomit out all your inspirations and ideas so that you can start to develop your style so by the time you hit second year your confidence about who you are as a director grows. Not to mention I had Spike Lee mentoring me and I have to say he was instrumental in shaping me into a professional filmmaker. Once I won a few awards, my confidence really went up and I started to feel I could do this, that’s where the school and the staff are critical into helping you understand what it takes to be a professional filmmaker. 

How has your advertising career and your background influenced your filmmaking?

CARLOS: My background as a Cuban American filmmaker started with my parents who always made me feel proud to be Latino and encouraged me to never shut up about it! I really tried to put that in my films when it made sense. Advertising was a great way to learn from masters like Spike Jonze, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu and Doug Liman all of whom I watched direct while I was still a producer. 

Do you have a favorite early project you have worked on that you are most proud of?

CARLOS: Yes, that has to be the documentary short I did on my father called Journey Into Exile where it explored his personal battles of leaving Cuba and immigrating to the US. That film won best of fest and gave me some much-needed early confidence.

You are a writer, director and producer now. Can you tell us about projects you are working on now in each role?

CARLOS: I’m always a writer first since that was what I was doing since the age of twelve when I was writing short stories that scared my mom, and before I was twenty, I was a published poet. Writing for me is therapy and is really something I love to do, it’s the only time you have full creative control. As a writer / director I have three films in various stages of casting & financing ready to film in the next twelve months not to mention a docuseries we are taking out to market that will be an umbrella project encompassing the history of Cuba. As a producer, I have two TV series with partners I am really excited about and that we are taking to market this year. 

Luci Lenox is an award-winning casting director based in Spain with a diverse professional background and international experience. She has cast over 100 productions for clients such as Netflix, Amazon, MediaPro and various Spanish independent producers, and her work has resulted in over 250 awards at international film festivals. In addition to her work as a casting director, Luci is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry and has served on the board of the CSA and the diversity and inclusion committees for both the CSA and APDICE. She is also a member of the Catalan and European Film Academies, CSA, ICDN, and APDICE, and has participated in panels and juries at film festivals such as Sitges, the London Film Festival, and Cannes. Luci's passion for her work as a casting director is evident in her commitment to finding and supporting talented actors from around the world.

Can you speak about how you became a casting director? Was it always something you wanted to do?

LUCI: Casting basically found me rather than it ever being part of my life plan.  I’d worked in many different jobs and then got a job in production at a Catalan production company, and I met Pep Armengol, an amazing casting director and he needed someone who spoke English for a job so I assisted him.  I discovered a job that was absolutely perfect for me and then one job led to another and then another and twenty-five years later I still love my job and find it interesting and challenging. 

You are originally from Ireland but now live in Spain. How did you end up there? And can you speak about the Spanish film industry niche you have found there? 

LUCI: I am very much a product of my time and generation.  I studied Spanish at university and spent a year abroad in Barcelona which was a life-changing experience. This was back in the 80s and Barcelona was just getting ready for the Olympics and was full of opportunities and I met an amazing range of people.  Then when I graduated there was a world-wide recession and I struggled to find a job so decided to move back to Barcelona for a while until the economy improved mainly because a friend offered me an apartment for a very cheap rent, which is ironic given the current housing crisis.  I never planned on spending my whole life here but here I still am.  

LUCI CONT’D: The Spanish film industry has grown from strength to strength and just keeps getting better.  I’ve been extremely lucky to have been a part of this positive growth.  So many international productions have chosen to shoot in Spain, and I have definitely been in the right place at the right time. I love that I’ve been able to work with auteur filmmakers like Juanma Bajo Ulloa as well as for almost all the major studios and platforms and have been involved in the casting of productions from not only the States but also Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, the UK, etc.  who have all shot here. 

What do you find most challenging about being a casting director?  

LUCI: The most challenging part for me is the best part that every project presents a new set of challenges that have to resolved.  Every role is a challenge.  The only thing I find challenging in a negative way is managing the fact that we continually break actors’ hearts.  Every actor who casts would love the role a