Over eight years ago, Nicole Kidman made a solemn vow to herself and to the aspiring female filmmakers lurking behind the camera's veil: she would collaborate with a female director every eighteen months. Since then, Kidman has far surpassed her initial mission, working with an astonishing 27 female directors.
During a headline-grabbing chat on Sunday as part of Kering's Women in Motion talks at the Majestic Hotel during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Kidman spoke passionately about her ambitious goal. "I vowed to make it a reality," she enthused. "For me, at this juncture of my life, having that purpose and commitment propels me forward. While I am an actor constantly seeking outstanding roles, I am equally eager to explore and push boundaries. Safety and constraint are not for me; I am perpetually on the lookout for new frontiers. And I know that the young filmmakers feel the same, so they come to experiment with me."
The conversation, held in the sun-drenched Kering Suite on the Majestic's seventh floor, offered a breathtaking view of the French Riviera. It commenced with a brief recap of Kidman's incredible Cannes journey, spanning from her earliest work in Ron Howard's Far and Away to acclaimed films like Gus Van Sant's To Die For, Lars Von Trier's Dogville, and Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge, among many others. In 2017 alone, she had four projects featured at the festival, including How to Talk to Girls at Parties, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Top of the Lake: China Girl, and Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled, which earned Coppola the Best Director award. Kidman has also served as a jury member at the festival.
Kidman's appearance today precedes her receipt of the gala's top prize at Sunday night's glamorous Kering Women in Motion Awards. "To be invited back to receive this honor and to discuss women's voices in cinema is truly an honor," Kidman emphasized.
Kidman also pointed out the numerous competition titles directed by women in the 2025 Cannes lineup, particularly highlighting Mascha Schilinski's German-language Sound of Falling, a film she had heard great reviews about.
On the topic of female directors, Variety's Angelique Jackson, the moderator, asked Kidman about the collaborative synergy she shares with them, specifically mentioning Susanne Bier, a close friend and frequent collaborator. They are poised to reunite for a sequel to Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock, and Kidman provided a brief update on the film's status, which Warner Bros. has scheduled for September 18, 2026. "Sandy has also worked with her, so the three of us form a perfect triangle, as we know each other so well. To work together on something fun and witchy is exhilarating and offers a fresh perspective [different from Babygirl]," Kidman revealed.
Speaking of the Halina Reijn-directed Babygirl, Kidman took a moment to acknowledge the film's viral success, particularly on TikTok. "Suddenly, the film found its own path," she said of the film co-starring Harris Dickinson. "Awards aside, it doesn't matter; it's where things are being heard and seen. That's how news travels now, and it spreads swiftly. People are saying, 'I want to watch that.' It's truly exciting."
Kidman arrived in Cannes on Saturday and met with an unnamed director to discuss a potential new role. "He said, 'I have something incredibly disturbing. Are you afraid of that?'" Kidman recounted, adding that her enthusiastic response was, "Absolutely! Absolutely!"
When she can squeeze in the time, Kidman said she also finds inspiration late into the night by jotting down ideas. "I do it at 3 a.m., during my writing sessions. I wake up and jot something down, whether it's a dream or something swirling in my mind, life, and heart at that moment. I believe 2 and 3 a.m. is a magical time for creativity to flourish because you're slightly detached from reality, but your dreams and psyche are incredibly vivid and present," she explained.
Jackson then inquired if we could soon see Kidman credited as a screenwriter or director. "No," she said with a smile, adding, "I always say no, but you never know; I might change my mind."
