Kristen Stewart’s Biarritz Film Festival Jury Brings Together International Talent

Biarritz Film Festival – Nouvelles Vagues has assembled an eclectic international lineup of rising actors, filmmakers and auteurs for the jury of its fourth edition which will be presided over by Kristen Stewart.

Stewart, whose directorial debut “The Chronology of Water” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, will be joined on the jury by French filmmaker Nathan Ambrosioni, French actress Suzy Bemba, Italian writer-director Carolina Cavalli, British actress Esmé Creed-Miles, Indian actor Ishaan Khatter, Canadian actress Whitney Peak and French actor-director Raphaël Quenard.

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Backed by French luxury house Chanel and founded by fashion veteran Jérôme Pulis, the festival showcases films about youth in Southwestern France.

Ambrosioni broke out with “Toni, en famille,” starring Camille Cottin, and later “Les Enfants vont bien,” which earned awards at the Karlovy Vary and Angoulême film festivals.

Bemba has emerged as one of France’s most promising young actors following turns in “Kandisha,” the series “L’Opéra,” “Poor Things” and “Le Retour,” which premiered in competition at Cannes. She will next appear in Jaume Collet-Serra’s remake of “Cliffhanger” alongside Pierce Brosnan and Lily James.

Cavalli broke through with “Amanda,” which premiered in Venice and Toronto, and later co-wrote “Fremont,” which debuted at Sundance before winning the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2024. Her sophomore feature, “Il rapimento di Arabella,” bowed in Venice’s Horizons section.

Creed-Miles recently wrapped “A Head Full of Ghosts” opposite Rebecca Hall and starred in Stewart’s “The Chronology of Water.” She is also widely known for headlining the Amazon series “Hanna.”

Khatter, one of India’s fastest-rising stars, first drew acclaim with “Beyond the Clouds” before appearing in “Dhadak,” “A Suitable Boy” and “Pippa.” His series “The Royals” became a global streaming hit, while his latest film, “Une Jeunesse Indienne” by Neeraj Ghaywan, premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section in 2025 before being selected as India’s official Oscar entry.

Peak, who grew up between Uganda and Canada, first gained international recognition in “Molly’s Game” before appearing in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” the “Gossip Girl” reboot and Disney’s “Hocus Pocus 2.” She is next set to star in “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”

Quenard, one of France’s breakout stars of recent years, won the César Award for most promising actor in 2024 for “Chien de la casse” after starring in popular films including “Yannick,” “Fumer fait tousser” and “Je verrai toujours vos visages.” He recently moved into directing with the mockumentary “I Love Peru” and has just wrapped his sophomore feature “Mystik.”

While in Biarritz, Stewart will also present “The Chronology of Water” and take part in a masterclass. The film, produced by Charles Gillibert’s Paris-based CG Cinema, premiered at Un Certain Regard in Cannes and went on to play at a flurry of international festivals.

Last year’s high-profile guests at the Biarritz festival included Sofia Coppola who presented “The Virgin Suicides” and delivered a wide-ranging masterclass, and Richard Linklater whose film “Nouvelle Vague” played on opening night.