Sean and Jim discuss the Venice Film Festival program announcement hours after it is unveiled. They also preview the upcoming Locarno Film Festival, and look ahead to the Melbourne Film Festival (which they will be attending in August). Plus: the 1998 Retrospective continues with a discussion on the Césars and Oscars of the year.

Films discussed include: Frankenstein, After the Hunt, Jay Kelly, Bugonia, The Voice of Hind Rajab, The Wizard of Kremlin, A Useful Ghost, April, Urchin, A Poet, Sound of Falling, Dracula (Radu Jude), Mektoub My Love: Canto Duo, Solomamma. From 1998: Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train, The Dreamlife of Angels, Gods & Monsters, Life is Beautiful, Shakespeare in Love, Saving Private Ryan & more!

Jim and Sean discuss their trip to the 2025 Sydney Film Festival. Films discussed include: Sentimental Value, Sirât, It Was Just An Accident, Orwell 2+2=5, Blue Moon, Dreams, Love, The Secret Agent, Happyend, To Kill A Mongolian Horse, The Plague, Romería, The Wailing, Stranger Eyes, The Love That Remains, Nineteen, Young Mothers, Eddington, The Blue Trail & more.

Jim and Sean discuss the winners of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, from the Main Competition through to Un Certain Regard, Critics' Week and Director’s Fortnight.

They also preview the feast of films screening at the Sydney Film Festival, opening June 4th , and share their watch lists. Films include: It Was Just an Accident, The Mastermind, Blue Moon, The Wailing, Enzo, Dreams, The Secret Agent, The Blue Trail, The Love that Remains and Eddington.

Finally, the 1998 Venice Film Festival is examined, including the winners and competition titles. Films include: Autumn Tale, Hurlyburly, Run Lola Run, Celebrity and Place Vendome.

In this year's Cannes Special, Jim and Sean discuss the Competition and sidebars of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Plus, they discuss the selection of the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

Jim and Sean discuss the 2025 Oscars and Césars, with mention to Australia's Alliance Française French Film Festival currently touring. Plus, they begin their retrospective of the year 1998 with a discussion about the 1998 Berlin International Film Festival.

Films discussed include: When Fall is Coming, The Story of Souleymane, Jim's Story, Borgo, Monsieur Aznavour, The Kingdom, Beating Hearts, The Boys, The Castle, Wag the Dog, Xiu Xiu: The Downsent Girl, Central Station, The Butcher Boy & Same Old Song.

Sean and Jim discuss the start to the film year with the 2025 Sundance and Berlinale festival competitions, and prizewinners. They also discuss the AACTA (Australian Academy) winners, and the nominees at the upcoming César Awards and Oscars. Plus, a glimpse into what may be competing at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Films discussed include: Twinless, Atropia, Dreams x2, The Message, Living the Land, Blue Moon, Ari, Kontinental 25, Misericordia, Beating Hearts, The Story of Souleymane, Monsieur Aznavour, Emilia Pérez, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Flow, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, A Real Pain, Anora, The Substance & I'm Still Here.

Upcoming: Yes, Stitches/Couture, Alpha, Miroirs No. 3, The Love That Remains, No Other Choice, Young Mother & more.

Jim and Sean discuss the major film festivals of 2024 in hindsight, before unveiling their Top 10s of 2024.

Films discussed include: No Spoilers!

Email us: incompetitionfilm@gmail.com

Sean and Jim discuss the winners of the 2024 European Film Awards, the awards presented by the New York, LA, Boston & Washington film critics circles. Plus: closer to home, the AACTA nominations are discussed; and we conclude our retrospective of the year 2000 with top tens discussions.

Films discussed include: Emilia Pérez, The Devil's Bath, Souleymane's Story, The Brutalist, Better Man, Memoir of a Snail, Hard Truths, Furiosa. From 2000: Battle Royale, The Yards, Dancer in the Dark, Under the Sand, The Circle, Yi Yi, In the Mood for Love, Best in Show, Amores Perros & more.

Email us: incompetitionfilm@gmail.com