Variety Announces 2025’s Directors to Watch
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Ten directors have been selected for Variety's 2025 Directors to Watch list. Coralie Fargeat, Malcolm Washington, and Halina Reijn are among the honorees, who have made significant waves in the film industry with their unique styles and strong creative visions. Each director will be profiled in an upcoming Variety print edition.
Variety’s Picks for 2025:
The Rising Stars of Cinema
Variety has announced its 10 Directors to Watch for 2025, shining a spotlight on the rising talent behind some of the year's most anticipated films. This year, the list features a mix of filmmakers who have carved a niche with their creative flair, unique voices, and the ability to tell powerful stories across different genres.
Among the honorees are Coralie Fargeat, Malcolm Washington, and Halina Reijn, each representing a unique vision that has captivated audiences. Coralie Fargeat's film "The Substance," which stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, made its mark at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival by winning the best screenplay award and continued to earn accolades at various festivals worldwide. Malcolm Washington's adaptation of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, garnering praise for both direction and cast performances, including those of Danielle Deadwyler and John David Washington. Halina Reijn's third feature, "Babygirl," premiered at the Venice Film Festival, earning Nicole Kidman the Volpi Cup for best actress.
Variety has been compiling this annual list for 28 years, highlighting directors who are not only known for making a single great film but who show a promising trajectory for future groundbreaking projects. From big-budget studio features to indie gems, the 2025 honorees are set to make a major impact on the film industry.
The upcoming January issue of Variety, timed with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, will profile each of these remarkable filmmakers. The complete list also includes Magnus von Horn for "The Girl With the Needle," which represents Denmark in the international feature category for the 97th Academy Awards, and Tom Nesher's "Come Closer," selected as Israel's submission. Drew Hancock's "Companion," due for release by Warner Bros. in January, further rounds out this impressive selection.
Since 1997, Variety's 10 Directors to Watch has been a staple for industry insiders and film lovers alike. Past honorees include now-household names such as Wes Anderson, Alfonso Cuaron, and Christopher Nolan, showcasing the publication's foresight in recognizing early talent. Notable success stories from last year's list include Cord Jefferson, whose directorial work on "American Fiction" won him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
The full list of Variety's 2025 Directors to Watch:
Durga Chew-Bose, “Bonjour Tristesse”
Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
David Fortune, “Color Book”
Drew Hancock, “Companion”
Zoe Kravitz, “Blink Twice”
Tom Nesher, “Come Closer”
Halina Reijn, “Babygirl”
James Sweeney, “Twinless”
Magnus von Horn, “The Girl With the Needle”
Malcolm Washington, “The Piano Lesson”
With each of these directors set to make a big splash in the coming year, the anticipation for what they bring to the cinematic landscape is already building. As the industry continues to evolve, these filmmakers are paving the way for the next era of storytelling, creativity, and innovation.
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