When four stars of world cinema converge on Lyon, the magic happens. This year, Festival Lumière sets its screens sparkling with an exceptional female quartet: Shu Qi, the mysterious muse of Asian cinema, Dominique Blanc, the indispensable grande dame of French theatre, Rebecca Zlotowski, the virtuoso of the new generation, and Natalie Portman, the Hollywood icon of a thousand faces. From 11 to 19 October, these four women will turn the capital of the Gauls into a temple of the seventh art.
Shu Qi: The Taiwanese Star Reveals Her Many Facets
A true legend of Asian cinema, Shu Qi brings a triple bill to Festival Lumière this year. First, she will present the world premiere of "Girl", her first feature film as a director. The move from acting to directing captures this icon's artistic growth perfectly.
Film lovers will also be able to rediscover two masterpieces in which she excels: "Millennium Mambo" and "The Assassin" by Hou Hsiao-hsien. These films bear witness to her exceptional talent and to her fruitful collaboration with one of the masters of contemporary cinema.
Dominique Blanc: Theatrical Excellence Meets Cinema
A sociétaire (full member) of the Comédie-Française and a four-time César winner, Dominique Blanc will bring her incomparable experience to the festival. Her masterclass promises to be a privileged moment for understanding the art of acting.
The programme pays tribute to her with three emblematic films: "Je suis le seigneur du château" (I Am the Lord of the Castle) by Régis Wargnier, "Milou en mai" (May Fools) by Louis Malle, and "L'Affût" (The Hide) by Yannick Bellon. This selection shows just how widely she has worked with the great names of French cinema.
Rebecca Zlotowski: The New Generation in the Spotlight
A recognised filmmaker of her generation, Rebecca Zlotowski represents the renewal of French cinema. She has directed prestigious actors such as Tahar Rahim, Natalie Portman, Jodie Foster and Léa Seydoux.
The festival shines a light on her particular "cinephilia", a testament to her passion for cinema. Her personal take considerably enriches the Lyon programme.
Natalie Portman: From Breakthrough to Global Icon
Winner of the Best Actress Oscar for "Black Swan", Natalie Portman embodies Hollywood success. Discovered in "Léon" opposite Jean Reno under the direction of Luc Besson, she has skilfully diversified her artistic choices ever since.
Her exemplary career, from Princess Padmé in Star Wars to the most demanding roles, testifies to a constant artistic ambition. The festival is devoting a special evening to her at the Auditorium de Lyon and a masterclass at the Pathé Bellecour.
In Brief: The Four Icons of Festival Lumière 2025
A glance at what each of these four guests brings to Festival Lumière 2025:
| Icon | What She Brings to Festival Lumière 2025 |
|---|---|
| Shu Qi | World premiere of "Girl", her first feature film as a director; retrospective of "Millennium Mambo" and "The Assassin" (Hou Hsiao-hsien) |
| Dominique Blanc | Masterclass; tribute with "Je suis le seigneur du château", "Milou en mai" and "L'Affût" |
| Rebecca Zlotowski | A spotlight on her "cinephilia"; she has directed Tahar Rahim, Natalie Portman, Jodie Foster and Léa Seydoux |
| Natalie Portman | Special evening at the Auditorium de Lyon and masterclass at the Pathé Bellecour |
A Progressive Female Legacy at Festival Lumière
Festival Lumière has gradually built the celebration of women into its programme. This approach is part of its permanent strand "Histoire permanente des femmes cinéastes" (Permanent History of Women Filmmakers), created from the very beginning to repair the historical neglect suffered by the pioneers of cinema.
Several women have already received the Lumière Award: Catherine Deneuve, Jane Fonda, Jane Campion (Palme d'Or for "The Piano"), and more recently Isabelle Huppert in 2024. This recognition speaks to a positive shift in the film industry.
The simultaneous presence of four female icons in 2025 therefore marks a high point, without turning the festival into an exclusively female event. It is rather a fine balance within a programme that remains mixed and diverse.
Festival Lumière: Far More Than a Tribute to Women
Created in 2009, Festival Lumière is the first French festival dedicated to heritage cinema. Every year it celebrates the world's cinematic legacy with retrospectives, film restorations and exceptional encounters. Lyon, birthplace of the Lumière brothers' cinematograph, is the natural host of this major event.
This 17th edition offers nearly 450 screenings across the Lyon metropolitan area. While four women shine particularly brightly this year, they are joined by an equally prestigious male line-up: Michael Mann receives the Lumière Award 2025, Sean Penn presents "Into the Wild", John Woo gives a masterclass, and Alain Chabat comes with "Astérix et Obélix".
A Tradition of Excellence Since 2009
Each year the Lumière Award honours a figure for their entire career. Clint Eastwood was the first recipient, followed notably by Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Pedro Almodóvar, Catherine Deneuve, Jane Fonda and Tim Burton. This prestigious recognition places the festival on a par with the greatest film events in the world.
This celebration of female talent at Festival Lumière 2025 is part of a balanced and varied programme. Lyon is preparing to live through nine intense days, in which cinema reveals all its diversity through renowned guests both male and female, confirming the international reach of this major event in world cinema.
Practical information:
- Dates: 11-19 October 2025
- Venue: Lyon and its metropolitan area
- Tickets: festival-lumiere.org
- Accreditation: reduced rates available
By Waley Messaoudi, correspondent in Lyon
