Tiffany Toney Praises Europe’s Warmth at Cannes

Tiffany Toney capped her stint at the Cannes Film Festival with a heartfelt Instagram declaration: “Europe showed me more love than LA could ever. How am I supposed to leave all these amazing people?” The Hawaii-born actress and producer—often called the “Black Angelina Jolie”—left festival-goers buzzing with a blend of red carpet glamour and genuine human connection.

Red Carpet Revelations

Across a carousel of images, Toney offered a behind-the-scenes look at her Croisette appearances. She stunned in a scarlet gown for the opening ceremony, then switched to a sleek black jumpsuit at a women-in-film luncheon. With stylist Jenna Ishikawa, she infused island-inspired flair—shell accessories and soft waves—to honor her Aloha roots while meeting global press and photographers.

From Hawaii To The Croisette

Born and raised in Honolulu, Toney first turned heads playing a determined young detective in the indie web series “Manifest.” Since then, she’s expanded into writing, directing, and producing. In an earlier Instagram post she confessed, “France taught me how to love myself more,” reminding followers that her festival journey has been as much about personal growth as professional milestones.

Speaking Up For Black And Indigenous Filmmakers

Beyond premieres and photo calls, Toney joined Deadline and AfroCannes×AfroBerlin for a panel advocating for Black and Indigenous storytellers. In a January roundup post, she teased her #AfroCannes2025 appearance, set for May 15 at Villa des Ministres in Cannes, alongside international creatives like Frank Vléhi and Mélissandre Monatus. Sharing tips on navigating global markets, she urged emerging filmmakers to “manifest opportunities into existence.”

Moments Of Connection

Festival attendees lined up for selfies and autographs, clutching posters of her first feature, “Bora.” One candid shot shows Toney kneeling to chat with a fan, phone in hand—an image that captured the warmth she described. Even Spike Lee, who stopped by for her screening, praised her “fearless creativity” in a brief on-camera encounter that Toney later reshared, thanking the veteran director for his mentorship.

Looking Ahead

As she prepares to return to Los Angeles, Toney teased upcoming projects: a Kauai-set character drama heading to the Toronto International Film Festival and a Europe-backed docu-series on female directors. She’s also finalizing a short film partnership with West End Studios Jamaica, inspired by the collaborative spirit she discovered abroad.

Toney’s Cannes chapter proved that cinematic success isn’t measured solely by screenings and reviews. It’s found in the heartfelt exchanges, the shared laughter under festival lights, and the bridges built between cultures. Carrying European affection in her heart, she heads home ready to turn those moments into her next breakthrough.

Reporter

Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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