Cannes Film Festival 2025: Angelina Jolie To Present Trophée Chopard Award At This Year’s Edition

Academy Award-winning actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie will serve as the ‘Godmother of the Trophée Chopard’, to be presented to Marie Colomb and Finn Bennett during the 78th Cannes Film Festival. Created in 2001, the award celebrates emerging international cinema talent, each year honouring one actress and one actor with promising careers. The 2025 ceremony will take place on May 16, at Carlton Beach, during an official Festival dinner co-hosted by Iris Knobloch (President of the Festival), Thierry Frémaux (General Delegate of the Festival), and Caroline Scheufele (Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard).

Angelina Jolie, Esteemed Godmother To Today’s Rising Stars

Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele has chosen Angelina Jolie to be the Godmother of the 25th edition of the Trophée Chopard. An iconic figure in global cinema, Angelina Jolie has forged a remarkable career as an actress, filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter.

She was most recently seen in Pablo Larraín’s Maria and stars in Alice Winocour’s upcoming bilingual drama Couture, which she also produced. She directed, produced and co-wrote First They Killed My Father. She directed the Oscar-nominated Unbroken and the upcoming Without Blood, based on the novel by Alessandro Baricco. She is a Tony Award- winning producer on the Broadway musical The Outsiders.

Beyond her work in film, Angelina Jolie is known for her humanitarian efforts over the past 20 years. She founded the Maddox Foundation, a development programme in Cambodia with a focus on conservation, agriculture, education, and economic development. In 2023, she launched Atelier Jolie in New York, a hub for co-creation and the discovery of art, craft and design work from cultures around the world.

Speaking about the choice of Angelina Jolie, Caroline Scheufele said: “I am so happy to welcome Angelina Jolie as our Trophée Chopard Godmother. Her amazing film career and dedication to making a difference in the world make her an ideal role model. I know the rising talents we honour this year will be inspired by her journey and advice.”

Angelina Jolie added: “I am honored to be Godmother at the Cannes Film Festival. I am pleased to have a moment to recognize young artists and their exceptional work.”

Marie Colomb And Finn Bennett—The Latest In A Long Line Of Happy Recipients

This year’s female laureate is French actress Marie Colomb. At just 19, she moved to Paris to pursue acting, appearing in music videos and short films before landing her first feature roles in Un, Deux, Trois and Merrick in 2017. Her breakthrough came in the mini-series Laetitia, based on a true story that gripped France. She then starred in Vaurien and Les Magnétiques, which won the César for Best First Film.

Marie Colomb gained further recognition with roles in As Bestas—winner of nine Goya Awards—and La Voie Royale, as well as the hit 2023 series Culte, in which she played Loana. A face to watch, she continues to build momentum with a slate of film and television projects set for release in 2026.

As for this year’s male laureate, this is none other than Irish-British actor Finn Bennett. An emerging talent on the international stage, he was most recently seen in Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Warfare, alongside Charles Melton and Will Poulter. He also starred in Black Doves, opposite Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley, and appeared in the series True Detective: Night Country with Jodie Foster.

Finn Bennett will next lead A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the forthcoming spin-off of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, in which he stars as Aerion Targaryen. Earlier in his career, he earned acclaim for his performance as Si Warner in Kiri, the mini-series written by Jack Thorne, opposite Sarah Lancashire and Paapa Essiedu. His additional screen credits include roles in Domina, Liar, and The Nevers, highlighting his versatility across genres and platforms.

The Trophée Chopard—Rewarding Up-and-Coming Talents

Every year since its creation in 2001 by Caroline Scheufele, the Trophée Chopard has been bestowed to talents early on in their cinematic journey. With this award, the Maison reaffirms its enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation and its deep affection for the ‘seventh art’. Laureates are selected by the Académie du Trophée Chopard, comprising former recipients as well as past Godmothers and Godfathers. Receiving this honour is often viewed as a good omen since several winners, including Florence Pugh, Niels Schneider, Naomi Ackie, John Boyega, and Jessie Buckley, have gone on to obtain several other prestigious distinctions.

What’s more, past winners have been known to return as Godparents themselves, years later once their careers are further along. Marion Cotillard, Léa Seydoux or Diane Kruger have all completed this virtuous, albeit exclusive, circle.

The trophy itself is crafted by Chopard’s jewellery Artisans, and designed by Caroline Scheufele – as are the Palme d’Or, and indeed all trophies awarded during the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.