Cinematography : Cannes 2025: What This Year’s Cinematography Choices Reveal About the Industry by Ashley Renee Smith

Ashley Renee Smith

Cannes 2025: What This Year’s Cinematography Choices Reveal About the Industry

If you’re curious about what the top cinematographers in the world are using right now, this breakdown from IndieWire is a must-read:

https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/cannes-2025-cinematography-cameras-arr...

Unsurprisingly, ARRI continues to dominate, especially the Alexa 35, but what’s fascinating is how these DPs are pairing cutting-edge digital cameras with vintage glass, unconventional filters, and custom LUTs to achieve everything from crisp realism to dreamy abstraction.

The range of lens choices alone is worth geeking out over: Cooke Panchros, Kowa anamorphics, Atlas, Baltars, and more. The gear may be high-end, but the intention behind each setup is the real takeaway: story-driven cinematography is alive and well.

What stands out to you about the camera and lens choices on this year’s Cannes films?

Are you seeing trends you’re excited about, or starting to move away from?

And how do you personally balance gear choices with visual storytelling goals on your own projects?

Cannes 2025: How 61 Cinematographers Shot Their Films
Cannes 2025: How 61 Cinematographers Shot Their Films
Cinematographers break down the cameras, lenses, and looks of films premiering at Cannes in 2025.
John January Noble

@Asheley Renée Smith Very Nice, Thanks !

Michael Fitzer, MFA

Two mentions of RED. Ugh. I love my RED Epic Dragon!

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