Angelina Jolie presented the 25th Trophée Chopard at a dinner on Carlton Beach on May 16, honoring Marie Colomb and Finn Bennett as rising screen talents. The event, co-hosted by Cannes Film Festival president Iris Knobloch, general delegate Thierry Frémaux and Chopard co-president Caroline Scheufele, brought together jurors, filmmakers and industry figures under a starry Mediterranean sky. Jolie used her platform to highlight the reach of international cinema, its capacity to foster empathy and the urgent need to support storytellers working under threat.
Jolie told attendees—including jury president Juliette Binoche, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Leïla Slimani, Alba Rohrwacher, Quentin Tarantino and Carla Bruni—that films carry audiences far beyond their own experiences. “Through international cinema, we enter private moments, we witness lives at stake on distant front lines,” she said. Referencing My Father Shadow, a drama set against the 1993 Nigerian election crisis premiering at the festival, she added, “Any step that widens access to these stories can reshape our view of the world.”
Acknowledging the risks faced by many creators, Jolie recalled artists who lost their lives while pursuing their craft. “We recognize that some voices go unheard because freedom is denied, security is a luxury,” she said. She named Fatima Hassouna of Gaza, Shaden Gardood of Sudan and Victoria Amelina of Ukraine, among others who paid the ultimate price to document human experience. “Their courage demands our support,” Jolie continued, “and our gratitude.”
Founded by Chopard in 2001, the Trophée Chopard spotlights emerging acting talent, granting each honoree mentorship and industry visibility for a year. Past recipients—including Marion Cotillard, Diane Kruger, Léa Seydoux, Florence Pugh, Jessie Buckley, Niels Schneider, Jeremy Irvine and Joe Alwyn—have gone on to achieve critical acclaim. In 2024, Sophie Wilde and Mike Faist received the award; this year, Colomb and Bennett join that distinguished list.
Britain’s Finn Bennett spoke with Variety about Jolie’s effect on the evening. “She moved through the room with calm confidence,” he said. “Meeting her felt surreal. I wanted to ask how she balances everything, but she made it feel like any normal conversation.” Bennett added that Jolie’s presence lent the gala a sense of intimacy, despite its grandeur.
Marie Colomb, who has appeared in several French productions, described the encounter on the Grand Théâtre Lumière steps as memorable. “She’s absolutely radiant,” Colomb said. “Yet she welcomed us as equals. It was striking how easy our conversation felt.” Friends later texted her in disbelief at seeing footage of the two on the red carpet.
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Earlier that evening, Jolie made her first major Cannes red-carpet appearance since the Critics’ Choice Awards in February. She wore a Brunello Cucinelli gown in a pale nude hue, its fabric embellished with subtle crystal clusters that caught reflected light. A diamond necklace and drop earrings completed the look, while her hair fell in a soft side part over one shoulder. After pausing for photos alongside Colomb, Bennett and Scheufele, she attended the premiere of Eddington, marking a rare public outing ahead of her upcoming projects.
Caroline Scheufele, speaking to Women’s Wear Daily, praised Jolie’s role as godmother. “Angelina combines exceptional artistic achievement with genuine commitment to humanitarian causes,” Scheufele said. “Her advice and example will guide our honorees as they navigate their new responsibilities.” Scheufele noted that the mentorship extends beyond a single evening, offering workshops, networking opportunities and private consultations over the coming year.
Jolie shared the most valuable guidance she ever received, from her own godmother, actress Jacqueline Bisset. “She told me, ‘Learn French and take on French films,’” Jolie recalled. That counsel shaped the early phase of her career, encouraging her to embrace linguistic challenges and diverse roles. It also underscored the importance of cultural exchange for artists seeking to expand their craft.
The gala’s program included a short film showcasing past Trophée Chopard winners. Clips of Marion Cotillard accepting awards for La Vie en Rose, Florence Pugh in Little Women and Jessie Buckley in Chernobyl ran alongside footage of emerging talent honing their skills on sets around the world. The montage underscored Chopard’s long-standing goal to connect promising actors with directors, producers and casting directors.
In her remarks, Jolie emphasized that global audiences benefit when creators have the freedom to tell their stories. “Every film is an invitation,” she said. “We travel across borders, share perspectives, gain understanding.” She described art as a bridge linking societies, a way to find common humanity amid conflict and division.
Tributes to artists who lost their lives featured prominently in the evening’s programming. A moment of silence honored Hassouna, Gardood and Amelina, among others whose work captured lives under siege. Guests listened as a slideshow of stills from their final projects played on a screen behind the dinner stage. The inclusion of these memorials reminded attendees that Cannes is as much about advocacy as celebration.
Following the ceremony, guests moved to a beachfront reception where plates of Provençal seafood and seasonal produce were served alongside Chopard’s signature cocktails. Conversation revolved around upcoming festival offerings, including Palme d’Or contenders such as Julia Ducournau’s film and Park Chan-wook’s latest drama. Jolie circulated among tables, engaging directors and actors in discussions about international co-productions and funding opportunities.
In describing mentorship plans, Jolie said she intends to meet with Colomb and Bennett regularly. “I’ll offer perspective on selecting roles, managing public attention and maintaining artistic integrity,” she said. Beyond acting choices, she hopes to share insights on navigating interviews, building relationships with filmmakers and balancing personal well-being with career demands.
For Marie Colomb, the mentorship arrives at a pivotal moment. After roles in French television and indie features, she is set to begin work on a period drama in the autumn. Jolie’s guidance could prove invaluable as Colomb contemplates projects in different languages and production scales. Finn Bennett, whose recent work includes a supporting part in a BBC miniseries, has expressed interest in scripts that tackle social issues—an area where Jolie’s experience in humanitarian storytelling may inform his selections.
Cannes Film Festival delegate Thierry Frémaux noted that Jolie’s humanitarian activism aligns with the festival’s evolving mission. “Cannes has always showcased artistic excellence,” he told reporters. “This year, we reaffirm our commitment to filmmakers who confront injustice and conflict. Angelina’s words remind us that cinema drives understanding.”
Iris Knobloch, who helped host the gala, reflected on the evening’s atmosphere. “We saw industry legends and newcomers side by side, united by a love for storytelling,” she said. “The combination of glamour, mentorship and advocacy felt particularly resonant this year.”
Chopard co-president Scheufele explained that the brand’s partnership with Cannes extends beyond red-carpet events. Chopard provides grants and technical support to film schools in emerging markets, and sponsors panels on financing international co-productions. The Trophée Chopard, she said, serves as a focal point for those broader initiatives, drawing attention to the next generation of artists.
As the festival progresses, attention will shift to competition screenings, master classes and market sessions. But the gala’s emphasis on global cinema and creative freedom is likely to echo through discussions at Palais des Festivals and beyond. By pairing a high-profile presentation with a solemn acknowledgment of lost artists, the evening reinforced Cannes’s dual identity as both cultural showcase and platform for social engagement.
Within hours of the gala, social media feeds brimmed with images of Jolie’s gown and clips of her speech. Industry insiders noted how her remarks on international storytelling contrasted with the customary focus on personal anecdotes at similar events. Bloggers highlighted her call for wider distribution of foreign-language films and greater security for filmmakers working in conflict zones.
Coverage across entertainment outlets ranged from fashion spreads to in-depth analyses of her humanitarian commentary. Variety’s report emphasized Jolie’s praise for Colomb and Bennett’s “brave choices” in role selection, while WWD’s profile quoted Scheufele’s confidence in Jolie’s impact as godmother. French press outlets noted the significance of her advice on pursuing French cinema, viewing it as a nod to the festival’s roots.
In the days ahead, Colomb and Bennett will participate in Chopard-sponsored workshops on acting technique and media training. They will attend networking dinners and receive one-on-one meetings with casting agents. Jolie has committed to hosting a private session on creative decision-making, drawing from her own experiences in projects ranging from blockbuster franchises to independent dramas.
Marie Colomb reflected on her expectations for the mentorship. “I hope to gain clarity on how to navigate an international career,” she said. “Angelina’s path shows that actors can move between commercial success and meaningful art.” Finn Bennett described his goals more broadly: “I want to find roles that matter. Working with Angelina, I aim to learn how to balance visibility with substance.”
Chopard Gala attendees continued their evening at a local jazz club, where live bands performed until dawn. The festival’s blend of formality and festivity encapsulates its enduring appeal: an arena where style, substance and social conscience converge. Though the focus will shift back to screenings and awards, the evening’s message—support artists everywhere—remains at the festival’s core.
