The Fantastic 7 initiative returns to Cannes for its seventh edition, reaffirming its commitment to promoting genre storytelling and championing emerging talents from across the globe. Co-organised by the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and the Marché du Film, the event takes place on 18 May and offers a platform for genre filmmakers to pitch their works to industry professionals.

Each year, seven projects are hand-picked by seven international film festivals known for spotlighting genre cinema. The goal of Fantastic 7 is to connect their storytellers with potential co-producers, financiers, sales agents and distributors, and to facilitate co-production opportunities that help their projects reach a wider audience.

This year’s edition welcomes Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger, the director of Blancanieves [+lire aussi :
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interview : Pablo Berger
fiche film] and the Oscar-nominated Robot Dreams [+lire aussi :
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fiche film], as the Fantastic Godfather. Known for his genre-defying work combining magical realism and dark humour, Berger embodies the spirit of Fantastic 7. “Fight to the death for that project you’re obsessed with. Look for control and freedom when it comes to making your films. Never try to follow trends or fashions – there’s no point. And above all, approach each film as if it’s the last one you’re ever going to make,” he urges emerging filmmakers.

The 2025 Fantastic 7 line-up blends folklore, psychological tension and speculative fiction. This year’s projects delve into themes of possession, isolation, transformation and ancestral legacy, each grounded in distinct cultural contexts. From cursed islands and exorcised childhoods to mutated creatures and demonic holiday traditions, the selection showcases how genre cinema can confront personal trauma, social anxieties and collective memory. With a mix of horror, sci-fi and supernatural thrillers, the line-up underscores the evolving scope of fantastic storytelling.

All seven selected filmmakers will pitch their works live at Palais K on 18 May, in the hope of advancing their development and production. As always, the event will be followed by the Fantastic Fanatics Mixer, bringing together the genre-film community for networking.

Here is the full line-up of projects selected for the 2025 Fantastic 7:

1999 - David Casademunt (Spain)
Producers: Marta Ramírez, Beatriz Campos
Presented by Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia

Sisterhood - Yoon Eunkyoung (South Korea)
Producer: Lee Yunjin
Presented by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

Mistletoe - Emily Hagins (USA)
Producers: Jon Michael Simpson, Ben Hanks
Presented by SXSW Film & TV Festival

Fuxi: Joy in Four Chapters - Qiu Jiongjiong (Taiwan/France/Japa)
Producers: Ding Ningyuan, Zhao Jin, David Tang
Presented by Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF x HAF)

Evil Eye - Yasir Kareem (Iraq/Jordan)
Producers: Abdulla Al-al-Atrakche, Mays Al-Reem
Presented by Cairo International Film Festival

The Last Moon - Sean McConville (UK)
Producer: Stéphanie Joalland
Presented by PÖFF – Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

Cachorra - Elisa Puerto Aubel (Mexico)
Producer: Edher Campos
Presented by Guadalajara International Film Festival