Overview

• The Cannes Film Festival closes Saturday with the Palme d’Or winner to be announced by the jury led by Juliette Binoche.
• Critics highlight Joachim Trier’s 'Sentimental Value,' Jafar Panahi’s 'It Was Just an Accident,' and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s 'The Secret Agent' as leading contenders.
• Distributor Neon is poised to potentially achieve a sixth consecutive Palme d’Or win, having acquired several top competition films.
• Over 900 filmmakers and actors signed an open letter at Cannes condemning alleged genocide in Gaza, underscoring the festival's political undertones.
• Notable festival moments included the amfAR gala for AIDS research, a freak palm tree accident, and buzz around emerging directorial debuts.