24/05/2025 - CANNES 2025: Chilean director Diego Céspedes’ film has come out on top; other prizes went to Simón Mesa Soto, Arab and Tarzan Nasser, Cleo Diáran, Frank Dillane and Harry Lighton

The winners and jury members of the Un Certain Regard section (© Manon Boyer/FDC)

The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo [+see also:
film review
interview: Diego Céspedes
film profile], the feature debut by Chile’s Diego Céspedes, has taken home the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, handed out by a jury chaired by Molly Manning Walker (who was flanked by Louise Courvoisier, Vanja Kaludjercic, Roberto Minervini and Nahuel Pérez Biscayart). Produced by Chilean outfit Quijote Fims and France’s Les Valseurs, and co-produced by Arte France Cinéma, Weydemann Bros (Germany), Irusoin (Spain) and Wrong Men (Belgium), the film is being sold abroad by Charades.

The Jury Prize went to A Poet [+see also:
film review
interview: Simón Mesa Soto
film profile], the second feature by Colombia’s Simón Mesa Soto (Short Film Palme d'Or in 2014 with Leidi). Produced by Colombian firms Ocultimo and Medio de Contención Producciones, and co-produced by Germany’s ma.ja.de and ZDF/Arte as well as Sweden’s Momento Film and Film i Väst, the movie is being sold by Luxbox.

The Directing Prize singled out Palestinian brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser for their third feature, Once Upon a Time in Gaza [+see also:
film review
interview: Tarzan Nasser
film profile]. Produced by Les Films du Tambour (France), Jordan Pioneers Multimedia (Jordan) and Slate Fims (UK), and co-produced by Made in Palestine Project, German companies Riva Filmproduktion and Red Balloon Film, Rise Studio (United Arab Emirates) and Ukbar Filmes (Portugal), the movie is being sold internationally by The Party Film Sales.

Also of note was the Best Actress Award handed to Cleo Diára for her turn in I Only Rest in the Storm [+see also:
film review
film profile], the second feature by Portugal’s Pedro Pinho (who turned heads in the 2017 Directors’ Fortnight with The Nothing Factory [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pedro Pinho
film profile]), which is sold by Paradise City Sales, while Best Actor was bestowed upon Brit Frank Dillane in Urchin [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], the directorial feature debut his fellow UK thesp Harris Dickinson (sold by Charades).

Finally, the Best Screenplay Award went to another feature debut from the UK: Harry Lighton for Pillion [+see also:
film review
film profile] (sold internationally by Cornerstone Films).

Here is the full list of award winners:

Un Certain Regard Prize
The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo [+see also:
film review
interview: Diego Céspedes
film profile] - Diego Céspedes (Chile/France/Germany/Spain/Belgium)

Jury Prize
A Poet [+see also:
film review
interview: Simón Mesa Soto
film profile] - Simón Mesa Soto (Colombia/Germany/Sweden)

Best Director
Arab and Tarzan Nasser - Once Upon a Time in Gaza [+see also:
film review
interview: Tarzan Nasser
film profile] (France/Jordan/UK /Palestine/Germany/United Arab Emirates/Portugal)

Best Actress
Cleo Diára – I Only Rest in the Storm [+see also:
film review
film profile] (Portugal/France/Romania/Brazil)

Best Actor
Frank Dillane - Urchin [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (UK)

Best Screenplay
Harry Lighton - Pillion [+see also:
film review
film profile] (UK/Ireland)

(Translated from French)