‘The Substance,’ ‘The Piano Lesson,’ ‘Babygirl’ Filmmakers Selected for Variety’s 2025 Directors to Watch

As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience, I’ve seen countless directors emerge and leave their indelible mark on cinema. Yet, every now and then, a new talent comes along who promises to redefine the boundaries of storytelling. This year, the 2025 lineup of Directors to Watch by EbMaster is nothing short of exhilarating.


EbMaster has selected its 10 Directors to Watch for 2025.

This year, I found myself captivated by the exceptional work of three remarkable filmmakers – Coralie Fargeat, Malcolm Washington, and Halina Reijn – whose talent has earned them a spot on the esteemed annual list published by EbMaster. For nearly three decades, this publication has been a beacon in recognizing rising directors who are making an impact with projects of all sizes, from large-scale studio productions to the smallest indie films. Each one of these films stands out due to their distinctive style and powerful creative vision.

In early January 2025, each filmmaker will have their unique story featured in a special issue of EbMaster magazine, coinciding with the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Following its debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, “The Substance,” directed by Fargeat and featuring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, received the best screenplay award before garnering praise at film festivals worldwide. Meanwhile, Malcolm Washington’s adaptation of August Wilson’s play “The Piano Lesson” commenced its run at the Telluride Film Festival, where it gained recognition for Washington’s direction and performances by Danielle Deadwyler, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, and Samuel L. Jackson. Lastly, “Babygirl,” Reijn’s third feature film, premiered in Venice with Nicole Kidman taking home the Volpi Cup for best actress.

In the group of distinguished directors, Magnus van Horn’s film “The Girl With the Needle” was chosen to represent Denmark in the category of best international feature at the 97th Academy Awards. Similarly, Tom Nesher’s movie “Come Closer” was submitted for Israel in the same category. Lastly, Drew Hancock’s film “Companion” is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. in January.

The full list of honorees is below:

  • Durga Chew-Bose, “Bonjour Tristesse”
  • Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
  • David Fortune, “Color Book”
  • Drew Hancock, “Companion”
  • Zoe Kravitz, “Blink Twice”
  • Tom Nesher, “Come Closer”
  • Halina Reijn, “Babygirl”
  • James Sweeney, “Twinless”
  • Magnus von Horn, “The Girl With the Needle”
  • Malcolm Washington, “The Piano Lesson”

10 Directors to Watch has been showcasing talented artists since 1997, focusing on those who not only create excellent films but also exhibit a unique passion and creativity that promises even more impressive work in the future. The program’s debut year recognized Wes Anderson (“Bottle Rocket”), Alfonso Cuaron (“A Little Princess”) and Mary Harron (“I Shot Andy Warhol”); since then, it has honored Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou”), Christopher Nolan (“Memento”), Fernando Meirelles (“City of God”), Taika Waititi (“Eagle vs Shark”), Luca Guadagnino (“I Am Love”), Justin Simien (“Dear White People”), Chloe Zhao (“The Rider”) and Nia DaCosta (“Candyman”). Following the release of last year’s list, director Cord Jefferson earned an Oscar for his screenplay “American Fiction,” a film adaptation of Percival Everett’s 2001 novel “Erasure.

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2024-11-19 19:46