The Berlin International Film Festival has announced that renowned US filmmaker Todd Haynes will preside as the President of the International Jury for its milestone 75th edition in 2025. Haynes, celebrated for his innovative storytelling and deep exploration of complex themes, brings decades of acclaimed cinematic experience to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.

"Todd Haynes is a dazzlingly gifted writer and director with an impressive range; his body of work is at once stylistically versatile but also unmistakably his," remarked Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle. "Ever since his debut feature Poison won the Teddy Award in 1991, the Berlinale has followed and loved his filmmaking, and we are overjoyed to have him join the festival as the President of the International Jury for our 75th edition."

Haynes’ career, spanning nearly four decades, is marked by a bold approach to storytelling and a signature sensitivity to portraying outsiders and female protagonists. His nuanced examination of gender, identity, and social structures has resonated across audiences and critics alike. His ability to create rich, multifaceted characters has attracted some of Hollywood’s top talent, including Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kate Winslet, and Natalie Portman, among others. This collaboration with high-profile actors has led to performances that have been recognised with numerous awards.

Haynes emerged as a key figure in US cinema during the early 1990s, aligning with what critic B. Ruby Rich termed “New Queer Cinema.” His debut film, Poison, not only earned the Teddy Award at the Berlinale but also secured the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, establishing Haynes as a formidable new voice in filmmaking. He solidified his place in the industry with the four-time Oscar-nominated feature Far from Heaven, a tribute to 1950s melodrama with a modern perspective.

His filmography is both diverse and distinguished. Highlights include the unsettling yet critically lauded Safe, the glam rock-infused Velvet Goldmine, the daring Bob Dylan-inspired I'm Not There, which won the Grand Jury Prize in Venice, and the mini-series Mildred Pierce. Perhaps most notable is Carol [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
fiche film], a poignant exploration of forbidden love that earned multiple nominations and accolades worldwide. Other significant works include Wonderstruck, Dark Waters, the documentary The Velvet Underground, and most recently, May December.

The 2025 Berlinale promises to be an exciting chapter with Haynes at the helm of the jury, bringing his expert eye for narrative and character-driven storytelling. The 75th edition of the festival will run from 13-23 February.