Christophe Honoré to Chair the Queer Palm Jury at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

 

To mark its 15th anniversary, the Queer Palm has enlisted a major figure to preside over its jury: Christophe Honoré. A familiar face at the world's most prestigious film festival, Honoré will lead the deliberations on May 23, alongside a still-undisclosed jury.

Earlier this month, Honoré received an emotional ovation at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin during the second-to-last performance of Les Idoles. This play, recently revived after a 2019 tour, tells the story of six writers, filmmakers, and artists whose lives were tragically cut short by AIDS at the end of the 1980s.

No sooner had he drawn the curtain on this chapter of his theatrical work than Honoré returned to the medium that first brought him widespread acclaim: cinema. Following in the footsteps of Lukas Dhont, who presided last year, the French filmmaker and novelist has been chosen as President of the Queer Palm Jury for 2025.

A parallel award to the Cannes official competition, the Queer Palm honors one feature and one short film from the festival's selection that contribute to advancing LGBTQ+ visibility and narratives in cinema.

A Celebrated President

"The Queer Palm is fifteen years old, and I was delighted to accept the invitation to chair its jury," Honoré said. "Fifteen is the age when you hope for everything, fear everything, and are ready to fight for everything," he added, drawing a parallel between the competition's milestone and the passionate spirit of adolescence—an enduring theme in his work, from La Belle Personne (a modern retelling of La Princesse de Clèves) to his recent coming-of-age drama Le Lycéen, which introduced Paul Kircher to French audiences.

A Cannes regular, Honoré has had three films selected for the festival’s official competition: Love Songs (2007), Sorry Angel (2018), and Marcello Mio (2024). An openly queer artist, he champions a committed, progressive cinema. "At a time when contemporary creativity is once again under attack by reactionary forces, it’s all the more urgent to highlight and celebrate queer films," he said. "Being a filmmaker, being part of a sexual minority, and affirming the truth of one's desires in one's work is an act of reckless sincerity—one that makes you vulnerable. That’s why the Queer Palm is so vital at Cannes: it is a refuge and a stage, a battle and an embrace."

The 78th Cannes Film Festival will run from May 13 to 24, 2025, with Juliette Binoche serving as President of the Main Competition Jury. Laurent Lafitte will host the ceremonies, and American actor Robert De Niro will be awarded an honorary Palme d’Or.

The 2025 Queer Palm ceremony will take place on Friday, May 23 in Cannes.

The Rising Tech Industry in the Côte d'Azur and Monaco

In my world of luxury real estate, I've noticed a growing trend over the past few years — and even more so now with what’s being called the “Trump Effect.” More and more clients seeking a new life in France are not only interested in the lifestyle, but are also curious about the local tech industry, with some people wondering if it could offer opportunities to extend their careers here.

As someone who has always been fascinated by new technology, I’m happy to share that the tech community across the region is not only thriving but continuing to grow and innovate.

The Côte d'Azur, often synonymous with glamour, luxury, and breathtaking Mediterranean views, is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation: it’s becoming a significant hub for technology and innovation. Alongside its traditional reputation as a playground for the wealthy, the region — especially with Monaco at its core — is now positioning itself as a serious contender in Europe’s growing tech landscape.

A Shift from Tourism to Technology

For decades, the Côte d'Azur’s economy has relied heavily on tourism, real estate, and luxury services. Cities like Nice, Cannes, and Antibes have attracted millions annually, but local leaders realized the importance of diversifying their economy to ensure long-term sustainability. Over the last 20 years, strategic investments have been made to develop tech parks, support startups, and lure major international companies to set up local operations.

The Sophia Antipolis technology park, often called the "French Silicon Valley," exemplifies this vision. Founded in the 1970s between Antibes and Valbonne, it is now home to more than 2,500 companies across IT, biotech, and cleantech sectors, employing over 38,000 people from around the globe.

Monaco: A Digital Pioneer in a Tiny Package

Monaco, though tiny at just over 2 square kilometers, is punching far above its weight in tech innovation. Under the leadership of Prince Albert II, the principality has embraced a forward-looking digital strategy. The Extended Monaco program launched in 2019, aims to turn Monaco into a "Smart Principality," leveraging digital technology across governance, healthcare, education, and the economy.

Key highlights include:

• 5G Nationwide Coverage: Monaco was the first country in the world to achieve complete 5G coverage in 2019.

• E-Government Services: Almost all administrative services are now accessible online, improving efficiency for citizens and businesses alike.

• Green Tech Focus: With sustainability at its core, Monaco is promoting green technologies, from electric vehicle infrastructure to energy-efficient urban planning.

Additionally, Monaco is positioning itself as a safe haven for fintech, proptech, and cybersecurity companies, benefiting from its strong political stability, high-net-worth resident base, and robust financial services sector.

        Key Sectors and Emerging Trends

The Côte d'Azur and Monaco are seeing a tech boom in several specific areas:

• Artificial Intelligence: With initiatives like the Côte d'Azur AI Cluster, there’s a focus on machine learning research and practical AI applications, particularly in healthcare and smart cities.

• Maritime Technology: Given the region’s close ties to the sea, startups and established firms are developing innovations in yacht tech, sustainable marine travel, and ocean conservation technologies.

• Biotechnology: Building on a strong healthcare infrastructure, biotech research, particularly in genomics and personalized medicine, is growing rapidly.

• Cybersecurity: Monaco, in particular, is investing heavily in cybersecurity, recognizing the critical importance of digital safety in the age of online financial services and smart city infrastructures.
  

  The Startup Scene: Young, International, and Growing

  A new generation of entrepreneurs is finding the Côte d'Azur irresistible — not only for its lifestyle but also for its growing support ecosystem. Numerous incubators and accelerators have sprung up, including:

• Le Village by CA in Sophia Antipolis

• MonacoTech, the principality’s startup incubator, which has supported startups in sectors from blockchain to healthtech

Events like Innovative City in Nice and Monaco Business bring together international entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, further energizing the local tech community.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its growth, the region faces challenges.Competition with larger European hubs like Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona is fierce.

However, the unique combination of a high quality of life, strong governmental support, excellent infrastructure, and a growing international talent pool gives the Côte d'Azur and Monaco a distinctive advantage. Moreover, the region’s focus on sustainable, green innovation fits perfectly with global megatrends toward responsible tech development.

The Future

The Côte d'Azur and Monaco are not looking to replicate Silicon Valley; they are crafting their own model — one that marries technological excellence with a Mediterranean way of life. As smart cities evolve, digital health expands, and green tech becomes paramount, expect the French Riviera not just to shine for its beauty, but also for its brains.

In the coming decade, the Côte d'Azur may very well become Europe’s brightest tech jewel

Where Do Gays Retire Podcast

Retire in Style: Why Nice, France is the Ultimate LGBTQ Destination With Jameson Farn

Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mark Goldstein, the host of the Where Do Gays Retire? podcast.

I connected with Mark after seeing his post in a local Facebook group, where he was looking to speak with LGBTQ+ expats living in France.

We instantly clicked, and I was thrilled to share my journey of relocating from Canada to the French Riviera all those years ago.

Mark created Where Do Gays Retire?—originally as a Facebook group—as a space for retirees and soon-to-be retirees to exchange real-life insights, both the highs and the lows, about taking the leap into a new country or settling down in a long-loved destination.

As Mark states on the Where Do Gays Retire website: We do our best to bring you the best information and experience from people who live in desirable LGBTQ+ locations.

Listen to our guests talk about the cost of living, healthcare, crime and safety, healthcare and more.

The world is our home. We have no boundaries. Find a place that’s safe and affordable to you.

We are always looking for guest speakers! If you live in an LGBTQ+ friendly town or city, please contact me for further information! We need to give our community the best choices to retire.

By the time our chat rolled around, I’ll admit—it had been a long, unexpected, and pretty hectic day (so forgive the lighting and camera angle!). But with Mark’s calm and thoughtful presence, he quickly brought a fresh energy to our conversation. As always, the Côte d’Azur worked its magic too—this region continues to inspire me, and I hope it can do the same for others.

The Côte d’Azur is truly a gem—warm, inspiring, and especially welcoming to those of us in the LGBTQ+ community.

If you're curious to connect further, be sure to check out Mark’s new platform as well!

And a heartfelt Merci to Mark for the wonderful podcast interview!

78th Festival de Cannes Poster Unveiled

 

The Cannes Film Festival unveiled its official poster for the 78th edition, paying homage to Claude Lelouch’s 1966 Palme d’Or-winning film, A Man and a Woman. Designed by the creative studio Hartland Villa, the poster features a poignant embrace between the film's stars, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant, encapsulating the timeless romance that captivated audiences nearly six decades ago.

This year’s poster continues Cannes’ tradition of honoring cinematic milestones, following previous tributes to auteurs like Akira Kurosawa and Peter Weir. By spotlighting A Man and a Woman, the festival not only celebrates a defining moment in French cinema but also underscores its enduring commitment to films that explore human connection and emotional depth.​

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to run from May 13 to 24, 2025, with French actress Juliette Binoche presiding over the main competition jury. The festival will open with the film Bye Bye, and the Honorary Palme d'Or will be awarded to Robert De Niro during the opening ceremony .​

The official poster is available for purchase through the Festival de Cannes online boutique.