The Queer Palm Turns 15: Cannes’ LGBTQI+ Prize Under the Spotlight with Christophe Honoré

The Queer Palm, Cannes Film Festival’s alternative LGBTQI+ award, celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2025, reaffirming its role as a vital platform for queer cinema at one of the world’s most prestigious film events. This year, the prize was presided over by acclaimed French filmmaker Christophe Honoré, a prominent voice in queer storytelling and a regular at Cannes.

What is the Queer Palm?

Founded in 2010 by critic Franck Finance-Madureira, the Queer Palm recognizes films across all Cannes selections—Official Competition, Un Certain Regard, Directors’ Fortnight, Critics’ Week, and ACID—that explore LGBTQIA+ themes, challenge gender norms, or offer feminist perspectives. With its inclusive approach, the award has become a key reference for queer representation in cinema, alongside Berlin’s Teddy Award and Venice’s Queer Lion.

A Milestone Year: 2025 Edition

This anniversary edition was marked by a diverse and international jury, led by Christophe Honoré. Honoré, known for films like Plaire, aimer et courir vite and Chambre 212, described the Queer Palm as both “a refuge and a platform, a struggle and tenderness,” emphasizing its urgency in a time when queer voices in the arts face renewed challenges. The jury also included Brazilian filmmaker Marcelo Caetano, US programmer Faridah Gbadamosi, French musician Léonie Pernet, and journalist Timé Zoppé.

2025 Winner: “La Petite Dernière” by Hafsia Herzi

The 2025 Queer Palm went to La Petite Dernière, directed by French actress-filmmaker Hafsia Herzi23. Adapted from Fatima Daas’ autobiographical novel, the film follows 17-year-old Fatima, a young Muslim woman from a working-class Paris suburb, as she navigates her sexual awakening and first love for another woman while balancing family traditions and her faith. The film was praised for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of queer female desire—an underrepresented narrative in cinema—and for its nuanced depiction of intersectional identity.

I wanted to show that there are no boundaries in friendship or love. For me, it’s beautiful and moving that characters from different social backgrounds can be friends, go out, love each other. That’s life, said Herzi about her film.

Short Film Prize: “Bleat!” by Ananth Subramaniam

The Queer Palm Short Film award went to Bleat! by Ananth Subramaniam, a Malaysia-Philippines-France co-production that explores identity and sexuality through the surreal story of an elderly couple and their impossibly pregnant male goat.

Why Does the Queer Palm Matter?

Over 15 years, the Queer Palm has highlighted groundbreaking films like Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Céline Sciamma), 120 BPM (Robin Campillo), and Laurence Anyways (Xavier Dolan). The prize not only celebrates artistic achievement but also provides visibility and support for stories and filmmakers often marginalized in mainstream cinema.

Honoré and the jury noted that while queer cinema today often seeks broader audiences and sometimes plays it safe stylistically, the need for bold, authentic queer narratives remains urgent, especially as global attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ rights fluctuate.

A Platform for New Voices

The Queer Palm also runs a Lab to mentor emerging queer filmmakers, helping them develop projects and connect with industry professionals. This initiative reflects the award’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of queer storytellers.