View source for Cannes Film Festival

{{Short description|Annual film festival in France}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox film festival
| name = Cannes Film Festival
| logo = 
| image = Patchwork-Cannes-2.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = 
| number = 
| location = [[Cannes]], France
| founded = {{start date and age|1939|8|31|df=yes}} (as International Film Festival)
| awards = {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]}}, [[Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)|Grand Prix]]
| language =
| artistic_director = [[Thierry Frémaux]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| main       = Current: [[2025 Cannes Film Festival|2025]]
| previous   = [[2024 Cannes Film Festival|2024]]
| next       = 2026
}}

[[File:Cannes vu du Suquet.JPG|thumb|Cannes seen from [[Le Suquet]]|260x260px]]

The '''Cannes Film Festival'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|k|æ|n}}; {{langx|fr|link=no|Festival de Cannes}} {{IPA|fr|fɛstival də kan|}}}} is considered the most prestigious film festival in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adlakha |first=Peter Debruge,Owen Gleiberman,Guy Lodge,Jessica Kiang,Murtada Elfadl,Siddhant |date=2025-05-25 |title=Best of Cannes: Critics Pick 17 Must-See Movies From the 2025 Festival |url=https://variety.com/lists/best-movies-2025-cannes-film-festival/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Held in [[Cannes]], France, it previews new [[film]]s of all genres, including [[Documentary film|documentaries]], from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the [[Palais des Festivals et des Congrès]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.palaisdesfestivals.com/presentation-du-palais |title=Presentation of the Palais |work=palaisdesfestivals.com |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620190119/http://en.palaisdesfestivals.com/presentation-du-palais |url-status=live}}</ref> The festival was formally accredited by the [[FIAPF]] in 1951.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moeran |first1=Brian |last2=Jesper |first2=Strandgaard Pedersen |date=2011 |title=Negotiating Values in the Creative Industries: Fairs, Festivals and Competitive Events |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6P4lZ5Mw30C&q=fiapf+accreditation+1956+berlin&pg=PA173 |location=[[Cambridge]] |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=173 |isbn=978-1-107-00450-4 |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008042957/https://books.google.com/books?id=g6P4lZ5Mw30C&q=fiapf%20accreditation%201956%20berlin&pg=PA173 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cannes is considered one of the "Big Three" major [[Europe|European]] film festivals, alongside [[Venice Film Festival|Venice]] and [[Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]], as well as one of the "Big Five" major international film festivals, alongside Venice, Berlin, [[Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto]] and [[Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]].<ref name="dearcinema">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-rebooted-festival-shuffles-lineup-aims-recharged-market-1278615 |title=Berlin Rebooted: Festival Shuffles Lineup, Aims for Recharged Market |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |author=Scott Roxborough |date=16 February 2020 |access-date=26 April 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308134209/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-rebooted-festival-shuffles-lineup-aims-recharged-market-1278615 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-unveils-lineup-720770 |title=Venice: David Gordon Green's 'Manglehorn,' Abel Ferrara's 'Pasolini' in Competition Lineup |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=Anderson |first=Ariston |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=9 September 2018 |archive-date=18 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218220740/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-unveils-lineup-720770 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3291348/addio-lido-last-postcards-from-the-venice-film-festival/ |title=Addio, Lido: Last Postcards from the Venice Film Festival |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=9 September 2018 |archive-date=20 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920162423/http://time.com/3291348/addio-lido-last-postcards-from-the-venice-film-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The international film festival and the making of a national cinema |first=F. |last=Chan |date=1 June 2011 |journal=Screen |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=253–260 |doi=10.1093/screen/hjr012}}</ref>

==History==
===The early years===
[[File:Note Cannes 1939.jpg|thumb|Note from 1939 with the French Government's decision not to participate at the Venice Film Festival anymore, but instead to host its own festival in Biarritz, Cannes or Nice|333x333px]]
The Cannes Film Festival has its origins in 1938 when [[Jean Zay]], the [[Ministry of National Education (France)|French Minister of National Education]], on the proposal of high-ranking official and historian Philippe Erlanger and film journalist Robert Favre Le Bret, decided to set up an international cinematographic festival. They found the support of the Americans and the British.
Thus, on 31 May 1939, the city of [[Cannes]] was finally selected as the location for the festival over [[Biarritz]] and the town hall along with the French government signed the International Film Festival's official birth certificate with the name of ''Le Festival International du Film''.<ref name="City">{{cite web |url=http://www.cannes.com/en/festival-de-cannes/history-of-the-cannes-film-festival/from-1939-to-the-present.html |title=History of the Cannes Film Festival |website=City of Cannes |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=6 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106123832/http://www.cannes.com/en/festival-de-cannes/history-of-the-cannes-film-festival/from-1939-to-the-present.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Its creation can be largely attributed to the French desire to compete with the [[Venice Film Festival]], which at the time was the only international film festival and had shown a lack of impartiality with its [[Italian fascism|fascist]] bias during those years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-cannes-film-festival |title=First Cannes Film Festival |work=history.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227022715/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-cannes-film-festival |archive-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> The political interference seemed evident in the 1937 edition when [[Benito Mussolini]] meddled to ensure that French pacifist film ''[[La Grande Illusion]]'' would not win.<ref name="Festivals">{{cite book |last1=Giorgi |first1=Liana |last2=Sassatelli |first2=Monica |last3=Delanty |first3=Gerard |date=2011 |title=Festivals and the Cultural Public Sphere |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=82urAgAAQBAJ&q=cannes+film+festival+Tyrone+Power+1939&pg=PT187 |location=[[Abingdon-on-Thames]] |language=en |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-58730-3 |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827222358/https://books.google.com/books?id=82urAgAAQBAJ&q=cannes%20film%20festival%20Tyrone%20Power%201939&pg=PT187 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The last straw was in the 1938 event when Mussolini and [[Adolf Hitler]] respectively overruled the jury's decision in order to award the ''[[Venice Film Festival#Mussolini Cup (Coppa Mussolini)|Coppa Mussolini]]'' (Mussolini Cup) for the Best Film to Italian war film ''[[Luciano Serra, Pilot]]'', produced under the supervision of Mussolini's son, and the ''Coppa Mussolini'' for the Best Foreign Film to ''[[Olympia (1938 film)|Olympia]]'', a German [[documentary film]] about the Berlin [[1936 Summer Olympics]] produced in association with the [[Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda|Nazi Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda]] despite the fact that the regulations at that time prohibited awarding a documentary.

Outraged by the decision and as a measure of protest, the French, British, and American jury members decided to withdraw from the festival with the intention of not returning.<ref name="Reel">{{cite book |last=Crouse |first=Richard |date=2005 |title=Reel Winners: Movie Award Trivia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e9zTIVIDyMMC&q=cannes+film+festival+1939+hunchback&pg=PA38 |location=[[Toronto]] |language=en |publisher=Dundurn Press |page=38 |isbn=978-1-55002-574-3 |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827222359/https://books.google.com/books?id=e9zTIVIDyMMC&q=cannes%20film%20festival%201939%20hunchback&pg=PA38 |url-status=live}}</ref> This snub encouraged the French to found a free festival. Thus, on 31 May 1939, the city of [[Cannes]] was finally selected as the location for the festival over [[Biarritz]] and the town hall along with the French government signed the International Film Festival's official birth certificate with the name of ''Le Festival International du Film''.<ref name="City">{{cite web |url=http://www.cannes.com/en/festival-de-cannes/history-of-the-cannes-film-festival/from-1939-to-the-present.html |title=History of the Cannes Film Festival |website=City of Cannes |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=6 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106123832/http://www.cannes.com/en/festival-de-cannes/history-of-the-cannes-film-festival/from-1939-to-the-present.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The reason for choosing Cannes was because of its touristic appeal as a [[French Riviera]] resort town and also because the city hall offered to increase the municipality's financial participation, including the commitment of building a dedicated venue for the event.

Hollywood stars of the moment like [[Gary Cooper]], [[Cary Grant]], [[Tyrone Power]], [[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]],  [[Marlene Dietrich]], [[Mae West]], [[Norma Shearer]], [[Paul Muni]], [[James Cagney]], [[Spencer Tracy]], and [[George Raft]] arrived thanks to an [[Ocean liner]] chartered by MGM ([[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]). On 31 August, the opening night gala took place with the private screening of the American film ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' starring [[Charles Laughton]] and [[Maureen O'Hara]] and directed by [[William Dieterle]]. The next day, on 1 September, German troops [[Invasion of Poland|invaded Poland]]. As a result, the festival was postponed for 10 days and it would be resumed if the circumstances allowed it.<ref name="City" /> However, the situation only worsened and on 3 September, France and the United Kingdom declared war against Germany, sparking the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The French government ordered a general mobilisation and this prevented the festival from continuing so it was finally cancelled.<ref name="beginning">{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0001/1938-1951-the-birth-of-the-festival.html |title=1938–1951: The birth of the Festival |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407174714/https://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0001/1938-1951-the-birth-of-the-festival.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1946, the festival was relaunched and from 20 September to 5 October 1946, twenty-one countries presented their films at the [[1946 Cannes Film Festival|First Cannes International Film Festival]], which took place at the former Casino of Cannes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intercontinental-carlton-cannes.com/en/100th-anniversary/history/1946 |title=1st Cannes Film Festival |access-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020200436/http://www.intercontinental-carlton-cannes.com/en/100th-anniversary/history/1946 |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> In 1947, amid serious problems of efficiency, the festival was held as the "Festival du film de Cannes", where films from sixteen countries were presented. The festival was not held in 1948 and 1950 due to budgetary problems.

In 1949, the ''[[Palais des Festivals et des Congrès|Palais des Festivals]]'' was expressly constructed for the occasion on the seafront [[Promenade de la Croisette|promenade of La Croisette]], although its inaugural roof, while still unfinished, blew off during a storm. In 1951, the festival was moved to spring to avoid direct competition with the Venice Festival which was held in autumn.<ref name="beginning" />

===1950s and 1960s===
During the early 1950s, the festival attracted much tourism and press attention, with showbiz scandals and high-profile personalities' love affairs. At the same time, the artistic aspect of the festival started developing. Because of controversies over the selection of films, the Critics' Prize was created for the recognition of original films and daring filmmakers. In 1954, the [[Jury Prize (Cannes Film Festival)|Special Jury Prize]] was awarded for the first time. In 1955, the {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}} was created, replacing the ''[[Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)|Grand Prix]] du Festival'' which had been given until that year. In 1957, [[Dolores del Río]] was the first female member of the jury for the official selection.<ref name="women cannes">{{cite web |url=http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g9916486/women-cannes-film-festival/ |title=Honoring the Female Trailblazers of Cannes /2. Dolores del Río |work=harpersbazaar.com |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331044209/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g9916486/women-cannes-film-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1959, the ''[[Marché du Film]]'' (Film Market) was founded, giving the festival a commercial character and facilitating exchanges between sellers and buyers in the film industry. Today it has become the first international platform for film commerce. Still, in the 1950s, some outstanding films, like ''[[Night and Fog (1956 film)|Night and Fog]]'' in 1956 and ''[[Hiroshima mon amour|Hiroshima, My Love]]'' in 1959 were excluded from the competition for diplomatic concerns. [[Jean Cocteau]], three times president of the jury in those years, is quoted to have said: "The Cannes Festival should be a no man's land in which politics has no place. It should be a simple meeting between friends."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/about/festivalHistory |title=Festival de Cannes – Festival History |work=festival-cannes.fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514112740/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/about/festivalHistory |archive-date=14 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0002/1952-1959-celebrities-politics-and-the-film-world.html |title=1952–1959: Celebrities, politics and the film world |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116025734/https://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0002/1952-1959-celebrities-politics-and-the-film-world.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1962, the [[International Critics' Week]] was born, created by the [[French Union of Film Critics]] as the first parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival. Its goal was to showcase first and second works by directors from all over the world, not succumbing to commercial tendencies. In 1965 [[Olivia de Havilland]] was named the first female president of the jury, while the next year [[Sophia Loren]] became president.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0003/1960-1968-the-growing-legitimacy-of-cinema-and-a-world-of-new-horizons.html |title=1960–1968: The growing legitimacy of cinema and a world of new horizons |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812100344/http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0003/1960-1968-the-growing-legitimacy-of-cinema-and-a-world-of-new-horizons.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1968 festival was halted on 19 May. Some directors, such as [[Carlos Saura]] and [[Miloš Forman]], had withdrawn their films from the competition. On 18 May filmmaker [[Louis Malle]] along with a group of directors took over the large room of the ''Palais'' and interrupted the projections in solidarity with [[May 1968 in France|students and labour on strike throughout France]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1968.htm |title=1968 Cannes Festival |work=cannes-fest.com |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=8 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108225157/http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1968.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> and in protest to the eviction of the then President of the {{lang|fr|[[Cinémathèque Française]]|italic=no}}. The filmmakers achieved the reinstatement of the President, and they founded the Film Directors' Society (SRF) that same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com/en/the-fortnight-in-action/ |title=The Fortnight in action |work=quinzaine-realisateurs.com |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515154909/http://www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com/en/the-fortnight-in-action/ |archive-date=15 May 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1969 the SRF, led by Pierre-Henri Deleau created the [[Directors' Fortnight]] (''Quinzaine des Réalisateurs''), a new non-competitive section that programs a selection of films from around the world, distinguished by the independent judgment displayed in the choice of films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com/en/home-en/ |title=Directors' Fortnight |publisher=Directors' Fortnight website |access-date=27 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523062117/http://www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com/en/home-en/ |archive-date=23 May 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===1970s and 1980s===
During the 1970s, important changes occurred in the Festival. In 1972, Robert Favre Le Bret was named the new president, and Maurice Bessy the General Delegate. He introduced important changes in the selection of the participating films, welcoming new techniques, and relieving the selection from diplomatic pressures, with films like [[MASH (film)|''MASH'']], and later ''[[Chronicle of the Years of Fire]]'' marking this turn. In some cases, these changes helped directors like [[Andrei Tarkovsky]] overcome problems of censorship in their own country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0004/1969-1977-a-festival-that-moves-with-the-times.html |title=1969–1977: A Festival that moves with the times |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812095116/http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0004/1969-1977-a-festival-that-moves-with-the-times.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Also, until that time, the different countries chose the films that would represent them in the festival. Yet, in 1972, Bessy created a committee to select French films, and another for foreign films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1972.htm |title=1972 – Tout le monde il est beau, tout le monde il est gentil |work=cannes-fest.com |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116165103/http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1972.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1978, Gilles Jacob assumed the position of General Delegate, introducing the [[Caméra d'Or]] award, for the best first film of any of the main events, and the [[Un Certain Regard]] section, for the non-competitive categories. Other changes were the decrease of length of the festival down to thirteen days, thus reducing the number of selected films; also, until that point the Jury was composed by Film Academics, and Jacob started to introduce celebrities and professionals from the film industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1978.htm |title=1978 – Cannes, Le Retour |work=Cannes-fest.com |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501054240/http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1978.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1983, a new, much bigger [[Palais des Festivals et des Congrès]] was built to host the festival, while the Directors' Fortnight remained in the old building. The new building was nicknamed "The Bunker", provoking much criticism, especially since it was hardly finished at the event and several technical problems occurred.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1983.htm |title=1983 – Le Festival blessé |work=Cannes-fest.com archive |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720200638/http://www.cannes-fest.com/an1983.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1984 Pierre Viot replaced Robert Favre Le Bret as President of the Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0005/1978-1986-a-wind-of-change.html |title=1978–1986: A wind of change |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812095613/http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0005/1978-1986-a-wind-of-change.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In his term, the Festival started including films from more countries, like Philippines, China, Cuba, Australia, India, New Zealand and Argentina. In 1987, for the first time of the Festival, a red carpet was placed at the entrance of the Palais. In 1989, during the first Cinéma & liberté forum, hundred directors from many countries signed a declaration "against all forms of censorship still existing in the world".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/69-editions/history |title=The History of the Festival / The 80s: The Modern Era |work=festival-cannes.com |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=13 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413083303/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/69-editions/history |url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Starlette.jpg|thumb|right|Stars posing for photographers are a part of Cannes folklore.]]

===1990s to present===
In 1998, Gilles Jacob created the last section of the Official Selection: la [[Cinéfondation]], aiming to support the creation of works of cinema in the world and to contribute to the entry of the new scenario writers in the circle of the celebrities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinefondation.com/en/selectioninformation |title=Presentation |work=Cinéfondation |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529122754/http://www.cinefondation.com/en/selectioninformation |archive-date=29 May 2017 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> The Cinéfondation was completed in 2000 with ''La Résidence'', where young directors could refine their writing and screenplays, and in 2005, ''L'Atelier'', which helps twenty directors per year with the funding of their films. Gilles Jacob was appointed Honorary President in 2000, and in 2002, the Festival officially adopted the name ''Festival de Cannes''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0006/1987-1996-the-first-palme-d-or-for-a-woman-director.html |title=1987–1996: The first Palme d'Or for a woman director |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104817/https://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0006/1987-1996-the-first-palme-d-or-for-a-woman-director.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0007/1997-today-the-festival-enters-a-new-century.html |title=1997-today: The Festival enters a new century |work=fresques.ina.fr |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104806/https://fresques.ina.fr/festival-de-cannes-en/parcours/0007/1997-today-the-festival-enters-a-new-century.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 2000s, the Festival started focusing more on the technological advances taking place in the film world, especially the digital techniques. In 2004, the restored historical films of the Festival were presented as ''Cannes Classics'', which included documentaries. In 2007, Thierry Frémaux became General Delegate. In 2009, he extended the Festival in Buenos Aires, as ''La Semana de Cine del Festival de Cannes'', and in 2010, he created the ''Cannes Court Métrage'' for the Short Film competition.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

On 20 March 2020, organisers announced the postponement of the [[2020 Cannes Film Festival|2020 edition]] due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; although a small line-up of films was announced as the Official Selection for commercial purposes.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 May 2020 |title=Cannes Will Announce Official Selection in June, but There'll Be No Physical Edition This Year |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/05/cannes-2020-official-selection-june-canceled-1202230377/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604015207/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/05/cannes-2020-official-selection-june-canceled-1202230377/ |archive-date=4 June 2020 |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=IndieWire}}</ref> Shortly after, the edition was officially cancelled, since organisers refused to adopt an online strategy used by other festivals abroad.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Alex |date=19 March 2020 |title=Cannes Film Festival Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/movies/cannes-film-festival-coronavirus.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319201548/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/movies/cannes-film-festival-coronavirus.html |archive-date=19 March 2020 |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It marked the first time the festival would not take place since 1968.

In 2021, since the [[COVID-19 pandemic in France|pandemic]] was not fully controlled in France, the festival was once again postponed for two months later, dropping its usual late May dates, while masks were enforced to all attendees except for cast and crew during the red carpet. [[Spike Lee]], who had been chosen to lead the main competition jury in 2020, was invited again to head the main competition jury for [[2021 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Alex |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/14/arts/spike-lee-cannes-film-festival.html |title=Spike Lee to Head Cannes Film Festival Jury |date=14 January 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=29 March 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104738/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/14/arts/spike-lee-cannes-film-festival.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Aiming to accommodate many of the productions not released in 2020, the "Cannes Premiere" section was created featuring a considerable amount of the festival's regular filmmakers who didn't make into the main competition. A special "Cinema for the Climate" section was also created, but later dropped in the following editions.

In 2022, the festival denied press [[accreditation]] to Russian journalists associated with outlets who are not opposed to the ongoing [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Russo-Ukrainian war]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=9 May 2022 |title=Cannes Fest Declines Accreditation for Russian Journalists From Outlets That Don't Oppose War on Ukraine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-2022-festival-bars-russian-journalists-ukraine-war-1235143013/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510154254/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-2022-festival-bars-russian-journalists-ukraine-war-1235143013/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On the opening night of the festival, the president of Ukraine, [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy|Volodymyr Zelensky]], made a video appearance where he talked about the war and the role of cinema in it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garvey |first=Marianne |title=Zelensky made a special appearance at Cannes Film Festival |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/18/entertainment/cannes-volodymyr-zelensky/index.html |access-date=19 May 2022 |website=CNN |date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519151706/https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/18/entertainment/cannes-volodymyr-zelensky/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The selection of [[Kirill Serebrennikov]]'s ''[[Tchaikovsky's Wife]]'', was met with criticism by [[European Film Academy]] president [[Agnieszka Holland]], even though the Russian filmmaker had been living in exile in Germany after condemning the ongoing war.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holdsworth |first=Nick |date=May 21, 2022 |title=European Film Academy President Agnieszka Holland Slams Cannes for Welcoming a Russian Movie |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/european-film-academy-agnieszka-holland-cannes-russia-1235274070/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> [[Iris Knobloch]] was elected the first woman president of the festival in the same year,<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 2022 |title=Cannes 2022: How Iris Knobloch became the festival's first woman president |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2022/05/17/cannes-2022-how-iris-knobloch-became-the-festival-s-first-woman-president_5983839_30.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518100759/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2022/05/17/cannes-2022-how-iris-knobloch-became-the-festival-s-first-woman-president_5983839_30.html |archive-date=18 May 2024 |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=Le Monde.fr |language=en}}</ref> succeeding the co-founder and former head of French pay-TV operator [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]], [[Pierre Lescure]], who had served since 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cannes Film Festival Names Pierre Lescure President |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-film-festival-names-president-670706 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401002427/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-film-festival-names-president-670706 |archive-date=1 April 2021 |access-date=14 January 2014 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pierre Lescure elected President of the Festival de Cannes |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/60485.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326193148/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/60485.html |archive-date=26 March 2016 |access-date=28 March 2015 |publisher=Festival de Cannes}}</ref> 

The [[2025 Cannes Film Festival|2025 edition]], featured a record 45% of films directed by women.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erbland |first=Kate |date=2025-05-08 |title=Did the Success of ‘The Substance’ and ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ Finally Teach Cannes a Lesson? |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/cannes-2025-female-filmmakers-competition-1235114334/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref> One day after the announcement of the [[ACID (Cannes)|ACID]] official selection, Palestinian photojournalist [[Fatima Hassouna]], one of the main subjects of the documentary film ''[[Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk]]'' by [[Sepideh Farsi]], was killed along with ten members of her family in an [[Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip|Israeli airstrike]] on their home in [[Gaza City]] on 16 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 2025 |title=Gaza photojournalist Fatima Hassouna killed in a strike with 10 of her relatives |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/04/17/gaza-photojournalist-fatima-hassouna-killed-in-a-strike-with-10-of-her-relatives_6740338_4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417214901/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/04/17/gaza-photojournalist-fatima-hassouna-killed-in-a-strike-with-10-of-her-relatives_6740338_4.html |archive-date=17 April 2025 |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=Le Monde}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Ben |date=17 April 2025 |title=Cannes ACID responds to death of Fatma Hassona, subject of 2025 film selection, killed in Gaza |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cannes-acid-responds-to-death-of-fatma-hassona-subject-of-2025-film-selection-killed-in-gaza/5204061.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417170354/https://www.screendaily.com/news/cannes-acid-responds-to-death-of-fatma-hassona-subject-of-2025-film-selection-killed-in-gaza/5204061.article |archive-date=17 April 2025 |access-date=17 April 2025 |website=[[Screen International]]}}</ref><ref name="deadline">{{Cite news |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=17 April 2025 |title=Gaza Photojournalist In Cannes Doc Killed In Israeli Strike |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/gaza-photojournalist-cannes-doc-killed-israeli-strike-1236370699/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418085827/https://deadline.com/2025/04/gaza-photojournalist-cannes-doc-killed-israeli-strike-1236370699/ |archive-date=18 April 2025 |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2025 |title=Guerre à Gaza : la photojournaliste Fatima Hassouna assassinée dans le bombardement de sa maison par Israël |url=https://www.humanite.fr/culture-et-savoir/guerre-israel-hamas/guerre-a-gaza-la-photojournaliste-fatima-hassouna-assassinee-dans-le-bombardement-de-sa-maison-par-israel |access-date=18 April 2025 |website=L'Humanité |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nabaa |first=Clara |date=17 April 2025 |title=Photographer Fatima Hassona killed ahead of Cannes documentary debut |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/04/17/photojournalist-fatima-hassona-killed-in-gaza-day-after-documentary-selected-for-cannes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418105456/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/04/17/photojournalist-fatima-hassona-killed-in-gaza-day-after-documentary-selected-for-cannes |archive-date=18 April 2025 |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=[[Euronews]] |language=en}}</ref> The festival released an official statement expressing condolences and criticising the ongoing [[Gaza war|war and violence in Gaza]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=Tribute to Fatma Hassona |url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/tribute-to-fatma-hassona/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423132942/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/tribute-to-fatma-hassona/ |archive-date=23 April 2025 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Festival de Cannes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 May 2025 |title=A Cannes, l'horreur de Gaza ne doit pas être silenciée |url=https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/a-cannes-lhorreur-de-gaza-ne-doit-pas-etre-silenciee-20250513_RQ4G7A75Y5AEDJ2ZIMB66ZS6OQ/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514113312/https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/a-cannes-lhorreur-de-gaza-ne-doit-pas-etre-silenciee-20250513_RQ4G7A75Y5AEDJ2ZIMB66ZS6OQ/ |archive-date=14 May 2025 |newspaper=Liberation |language=fr}}</ref> On the festival's opening day, more than 350 directors, actors and producers signed a letter condemning the killing of Hassouna and denounced the [[Gaza genocide|ongoing genocide in Gaza]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mouriquand |first=David |date=13 May 2025 |title=More than 350 stars condemn Gaza 'genocide' in open letter in time for Cannes opening, despite Minecraft fans cheered up |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/05/13/more-than-350-stars-condemn-gaza-genocide-in-open-letter-in-time-for-cannes-opening |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518174113/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/05/13/more-than-350-stars-condemn-gaza-genocide-in-open-letter-in-time-for-cannes-opening |archive-date=18 May 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Euronews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2025 |title=Shame on You, Zombies!: Hollywood stars condemn Gaza 'genocide' and a Minecraft party on eve of Cannes Film Festival |url=https://www.france24.com/en/culture/20250512-cannes-gaza-hollywood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516113943/https://www.france24.com/en/culture/20250512-cannes-gaza-hollywood |archive-date=16 May 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=12 May 2025 |title=Mark Ruffalo, Guy Pearce, Melissa Barrera and Ralph Fiennes Among 350+ Figures to Sign Letter About Killing of Palestinian Protagonist of Cannes-Bound Doc: 'We Are Ashamed' of Industry 'Passivity' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/global/letter-about-killing-of-fatma-hassona-1236391687/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514170023/https://variety.com/2025/film/global/letter-about-killing-of-fatma-hassona-1236391687/ |archive-date=14 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=Variety}}</ref>

==Controversies==
In recent years, a number of gender and sexual controversies have surrounded the Cannes Film Festival. These include "Heelgate" in which numerous female attendees of a red carpet premiere were stopped from entering in 2015 for wearing flat soled shoes instead of [[high heels]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/05/09/heelgate-and-beyond-13-controversial-cannes-moments/ |title=Heelgate and beyond: 13 controversial Cannes moments |date=9 May 2016 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=5 May 2018 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104806/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/05/09/heelgate-and-beyond-13-controversial-cannes-moments/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The incident caused numerous female celebrities to wear flat soled shoes or no shoes at all to other red carpet premieres in a show of solidarity and protest.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/controversy-at-cannes-when-the-festival-made-news-for-all-the-wrong-reasons/story-HKP2Y05AqZKQrmZllH0mfM.html |title=Controversy at Cannes: When the festival made news for all the wrong reasons |date=16 May 2017 |work=hindustantimes.com |access-date=5 May 2018 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104740/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/controversy-at-cannes-when-the-festival-made-news-for-all-the-wrong-reasons/story-HKP2Y05AqZKQrmZllH0mfM.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

General Delegate [[Thierry Frémaux]] reportedly "banned" selfies on the red carpet of the festival in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2017 |title='I am so Pathetic: I Took a Selfie at the Red Carpet' at the Cannes Film Festival=Ikon London Magazine |url=http://www.ikonlondonmagazine.com/i-am-so-pathetic-i-took-a-selfie-at-the-red-carpet-at-the-cannes-film-festival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104746/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js?ver=5.6.2 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |access-date=17 May 2017}}</ref>

As a result of the past sexual controversies and the [[Me Too movement|{{hash}}MeToo movement]] that arose out of the [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|Harvey Weinstein scandal]], in 2018, Cannes Film Festival officials announced the creation of a telephone hotline during the festival in which victims could report incidents of sexual harassment and other crimes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/global/cannes-film-festival-to-create-hotline-for-sexual-harassment-victims-report-1202790014/ |title=Cannes Film Festival to Create Hotline for Sexual Harassment Victims (Report) |last=Keslassy |first=Elsa |date=27 April 2018 |work=Variety |access-date=5 May 2018 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104806/https://variety.com/2018/film/global/cannes-film-festival-to-create-hotline-for-sexual-harassment-victims-report-1202790014/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The hotline is in collaboration with the French government.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://en.rfi.fr/france/20180427-cannes-film-festival-open-anti-sexual-predator-hotline |title=Cannes film festival to open anti-sexual predator hotline |date=27 April 2018 |work=RFI |access-date=5 May 2018 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104806/https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20180427-cannes-film-festival-open-anti-sexual-predator-hotline |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, along with the 70th anniversary events of the Festival, the issue of changing the rules on theatrical screening caused controversy, the festival had selected two [[Netflix]]-produced films (''[[The Meyerowitz Stories|The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)]]'' and ''[[Okja]]'') for its main competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/movies/cannes-okja-netflix.html |title=Netflix Defends Strategy at Cannes: 'The Culture Is Changing' |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104802/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/movies/cannes-okja-netflix.html |url-status=live |last1=Donadio |first1=Rachel}}</ref> Since 2018, the enforcement of a theatrical screening window of eighteen months in France, only for main competition titles, resulted in the American streaming giant withdrawing completely from the festival, a decision maintained ever since.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chiu |first1=Allyson |title=Cannes Film Festival bans Netflix films from competition. Also, no more selfies. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/26/cannes-film-festival-bans-netflix-films-from-competition-also-no-more-selfies |access-date=12 April 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=26 March 2018 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104800/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/26/cannes-film-festival-bans-netflix-films-from-competition-also-no-more-selfies/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Festival team==
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2017}}<!--table needs references-->
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:14px"
! scope="col"|Year
! scope="col"|President
! scope="col" colspan=2|General Delegate
! scope="col"|General Secretary
|-
| 1949 
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:center"| –
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center"| –
| rowspan=5| Jean Touzet
|-
| 1952 
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center"| Robert Favre Le Bret
|-
| 1972 
| rowspan=2| Robert<br/>Favre Le Bret
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center"| Maurice Bessy
|-
| 1978 
| colspan=2 rowspan=4 style="text-align:center"| Gilles Jacob
|-
| 1984 
| rowspan=3| Pierre Viot
|-
| 1985 
| Michel P. Bonnet
|-
| 1991 
| rowspan=6| François<br/>Erlenbach
|-
| 2001 
| rowspan=3| Gilles Jacob
| <span style="font-size:95%">'''General Director'''</span><br/>Véronique Cayla
| rowspan=2 style="vertical-align:top"| <span style="font-size:95%; line-height:34px">'''Artistic Delegate'''</span><br/>[[Thierry Frémaux]] 
|-
| 2005 
| Catherine Démier
|-
| 2007 
| colspan=2 rowspan=5 style="text-align:center"| [[Thierry Frémaux]] 
|-
| 2014 
| rowspan=3| [[Pierre Lescure]] 
|-
| 2017 
|-
| 2020
| rowspan=2| François Desrousseaux
|-
| 2022
| [[Iris Knobloch]]
|}

The president of the festival, who represents the festival in front of financial partners, the public authorities and the media, is elected by the board of directors of the festival, officially named the "French Association of the Film Festival".

The board is composed of authorities of the world of cinema, as well as of public authorities which subsidise the event. The president has a renewable 3-year mandate and appoints the members of his team, including the general delegate, with the approval of the board of directors.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2014/01/14/filippetti-annonce-l-election-de-lescure-a-la-presidence-du-festival-de-cannes_4347727_3246.html |title=Pierre Lescure officiellement à la tête du Festival de Cannes |work=LeMond.fr |date=14 January 2014 |language=fr |quote=Le président du Festival de Cannes est élu par le conseil d'administration de l'Association française du Festival international du film. Cette instance compte vingt-huit membres et repose sur un subtil équilibre entre le monde du cinéma et les pouvoirs publics, qui subventionnent l'événement. |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104746/https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2014/01/14/filippetti-annonce-l-election-de-lescure-a-la-presidence-du-festival-de-cannes_4347727_3246.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Sometimes a president, after his last term, becomes the honorary president of the festival.

The general delegate is responsible for the coordination of the events. When Gilles Jacob passed from general delegate to the position of the president, in 2001, two new positions were created to take over his former post, the general director to oversee the smooth running of the event, and the artistic director, responsible for the selection of films. However, in 2007, the artistic director [[Thierry Frémaux]], became again the general delegate of the Festival.

The general secretary is responsible for the reception of works and other practical matters.

==Programs==
The Cannes Film Festival is organised in various sections:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/ |title=Festival de Cannes – Official Site |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104751/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Official Selection ===
* '''Main Competition''' – Usually 22 films, competing for the {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}}, all of them are projected at the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière (''Théâtre Lumière''), Cannes' main venue with more than 2.300 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Auditorium Louis Lumière |url=https://en.palaisdesfestivals.com/space-and-equipment/all-areas-of-le-palais/auditorium-louis-lumiere/ |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Palais des Festivals |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[Un Certain Regard]] – The festival's second most important section, featuring mostly upcoming filmmakers in their directorial debuts, competing for the ''{{lang|fr|Prix un certain regard}}''. All of them are projected at the ''Salle Debussy''.
* '''Out of Competition''' – Usually French/American/Asian blockbusters, alongside the festival's opening film, which were not selected for the main competition. All of them are projected at the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière (''Théâtre Lumière'').
* '''Midnight Screenings''' – Usually horror or comedy feature films with a broad commercial appeal. All of them are projected at the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière (''Théâtre Lumière'').
* '''Cannes Premiere''' – Usually films which did not made into the main competition. All of them are projected at the ''Salle Debussy'', but they do not compete for any official prizes.
* '''Special Screenings''' – Usually a more diverse slate of feature films. All of them are projected at the ''Salle Debussy'' or at the ''Salle Buñuel'', but they do not compete for any official prizes.
* [[Cinéfondation]] – Usually fifteen shorts and medium-length productions from film schools over the world, competing for money prizes. All of them are projected at the ''Salle Buñuel''.
* '''Short Films Competition''' – Approximately ten short films competing for the [[Short Film Palme d'Or]]. All of them are projected at the ''Salle Debussy''.
* '''Cannes Classics''' – The section celebrates the world cinema heritage, highlighting classics from the past in new restored prints. The section usually also features documentaries about cinema and tribute films.
* '''Cinéma de la Plage''' – The only free section of the festival, presents restored classic films, popular productions and new films to the mass public on Macé beach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/cannes-film-festival-cinema-de-la-plage-1235262855/ | title=Cannes Film Festival Unveils Cinema de la Plage Lineup | date=10 May 2022 | access-date=18 April 2024 | archive-date=14 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514183807/https://variety.com/2022/film/global/cannes-film-festival-cinema-de-la-plage-1235262855/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Cannes Immersive''' – Since 2024, it features immersive virtual reality productions competing for the section's main prize.

=== Parallel Sections ===
* [[Critics' Week]] – Since 1962, it has focused on discovering new talents and showcasing first and second feature films by directors from all over the world. Featuring a small competition for feature films and short films, alongside special screenings.
* [[Directors' Fortnight]] – Since 1969, it has focused on focused on discovering new talents, showcasing avant-garde production, or works from established filmmakers.
* [[Association du cinéma indépendant pour sa diffusion|ACID]] – Since 1992, it has focused in on discovering new talents, showcasing avant-garde production, promoting the theatrical distribution of independent films.
* '''Tous les Cinémas du Monde''' – It showcases the vitality and diversity of cinema across the world. Each day, one country is invited to present a range of features and shorts in celebration of its unique culture, identity and recent film works.

=== Parallel Events ===
* [[Marché du Film]] – The busiest film market in the world. In collaboration with Think-Film Impact Production, the Marché du Film has introduced the impACT programme—highlighting critical societal themes through panels and industry workshops. These include "The Future of Film is Green", featuring figures such as [[Aliza Ayaz]], Claire Havet, and Lucy Stone, who shared actionable strategies to make film production more sustainable and climate-conscious.<ref>{{cite web |title=Think-Film Impact Production returns to Cannes with new cutting-edge topics on film & society |url=https://www.marchedufilm.com/news/think-film-impact-production-returns-to-cannes-with-new-cutting-edge-topics-on-film-society/ |website=Marché du Film |publisher=Festival de Cannes |date=16 May 2023 |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''Masterclasses''' – Given in public by world-renowned filmmakers.
* '''Tributes''' – Honours internationally renowned artists with the presentation of the Festival Trophee following the screening of one of their films.
* '''Producers Network''' – An opportunity to make international co-productions.
* '''Exhibitions''' – Each year, an artist, a body of work or a cinematographic theme becomes the focus of an exhibition that diversifies or illustrates the event's programme.

== Official juries ==
{{main|List of Cannes Film Festival juries (Feature films)}}
Prior to the beginning of each event, the festival's board of directors appoints the juries who hold sole responsibility for choosing which films will receive a Cannes award. Jurors are chosen from a wide range of international artists, based on their body of work and respect from their peers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/festival/juries |title=Festival de Cannes: Juries |work=festival-cannes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204518/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/festival/juries |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> The appointment of the president of the jury is made following several annual management proposals made in the fall and submitted to the festival's board of directors for validation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/56994.html |title=Festival de Cannes: Juries |work=festival-cannes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418072823/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/56994.html |archive-date=18 April 2015}}</ref>
* '''Main Competition''' – An international jury composed of a president and various film or art personalities, who determine the prizes for the feature films in Competition.
* '''Cinéfondation and Short Films''' – Composed of a president and four film personalities. It awards the Short Film Palme d'Or as well as the three best films of the Cinéfondation.
* '''Un Certain Regard''' – Composed of a president, journalists, students in cinema, and industry professionals. It awards the Un Certain Regard Prize for best film and can, moreover, honour two other films.
* '''Caméra d'Or''' – Composed of a president, as well as film directors, technicians, and French and international critics. They award the best first film in any category.

The jury meets annually at the historic [[Villa Domergue]] to select the winners.<ref name="cannesvilla">{{cite web |title=Patrimoine: Villa Domergue |url=http://www.cannes.com/fr/cadre-de-vie/patrimoine/hotels-et-belles-demeures/villa-domergue.html |website=Site officiel de la Ville de Cannes |access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104813/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Awards==
[[File:Palmed'or.jpg|thumb|{{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]}} awarded to ''[[Apocalypse Now]]'' at the [[1979 Cannes Film Festival]]]]
[[File:Léa Seydoux Adèle Exarchopoulos Césars 2014.jpg|thumb|upright|In 2013, in what remains its only such decision, the festival's jury awarded the {{Lang|fr|Palme d'Or|italic=no}} not only to the director of ''[[Blue Is the Warmest Colour]]'', [[Abdellatif Kechiche]], but also to its two lead actresses, [[Léa Seydoux]] and [[Adèle Exarchopoulos]]]]
The most prestigious award given at Cannes is the {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}} ("Golden Palm") for the best film.
* '''Main Competition'''
** {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}} – Golden Palm
** {{Lang|fr|[[Short Film Palme d'Or|Palme d'Or du court métrage]]|italic=no}} – Best Short Film
** [[Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)|Grand Prix]] – Grand Prize of the Festival
** [[Jury Prize (Cannes Film Festival)|Prix du Jury]] – Jury Prize
** [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director|Prix de la mise en scène]] – Best Director
** [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor|Prix d'interprétation masculine]] – Best Actor
** [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress|Prix d'interprétation féminine]] – Best Actress
** [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay|Prix du scénario]] – Best Screenplay
* '''Other Sections'''
** [[Prix Un Certain Regard]] – Young talent, innovative and audacious works
** [[Cinéfondation]] prizes – Student films
** [[Caméra d'Or]] – It rewards the best first film of the Festival, choosing among the debutants' works among the Official Selection, the Directors' Fortnight and the International Critics' Week selections.
* '''Given by Independent Entities'''
** [[FIPRESCI Prize]] – The International Federation of Film Critics awards prizes to films from the main competition section, Un Certain Regard and parallel sections
** [[Directors' Fortnight]] Prizes
** [[CST Award for Best Artist-Technician|PRIX CST de l'Artiste Technicien]] – Awarded to a technical artist by the CST
** [[International Critics' Week]] Prizes
** [[Prize of the Ecumenical Jury]]
** [[François Chalais Prize]]
** [[L'Œil d'or]] – Best documentary film
** [[Trophée Chopard]]
** [[Palm Dog]] – Best canine performance<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8064150.stm |title=Pixar pooch picks Up Cannes prize |work=BBC News |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=27 May 2009 |archive-date=5 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505100519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8064150.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Queer Palm]] – Best [[LGBT]]-related films<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontopmag.com/article/5703/Transgender_Activist_Pascale_Ourbih_On_Cannes_Gay_Prize_Jury |title=Transgender activist Pascale Ourbih on Cannes gay prize jury |publisher=On Top Magazine |date=10 May 2010 |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104809/https://ib.adnxs.com/ttj?id=1318027 |url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Cannes Soundtrack Award]]
** [[Pierre Angénieux Excellens in Cinematography]]
**Women in Motion: Since 2015, award delivered by [[Kering]] and honouring major achievers in raising awareness around women's issues in the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Mimosa |date=7 May 2019 |title=Kering, Cannes Film Festival Renew Women in Motion Program |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/kering-renews-partnership-cannes-film-festival-women-in-motion-1203125118/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2021 |website=WWD |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507121629/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/kering-renews-partnership-cannes-film-festival-women-in-motion-1203125118/ |archive-date=7 May 2019}}</ref>
** The Mercedes-Benz Award was given from 1993 until 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cannes Film Festival Mercedes-Benz Award |website=Киноафиша – все о кино и кинотеатрах, афиша кинотеатров |url=https://www.kinoafisha.info/en/awards/cannes/nominations/mercedes-benz-award/mercedes-benz-award/ |access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref>

==Impact==
The festival has become an important showcase for [[cinema of Europe|European films]]. Jill Forbes and Sarah Street argue in ''European Cinema: An Introduction'' ({{ISBN|0333752104}}), that Cannes "became...extremely important for critical and commercial interests and for European attempts to sell films on the basis of their artistic quality" (page 20).<ref name="European_Cinema">{{cite book |last1=Forbes |first1=Jill |last2=Street |first2=Sarah |year=2001 |title=European Cinema: An Introduction |publisher=Macmillan Publishers |location=London |isbn=0-333-75210-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/europeancinemain00jill}}</ref> Forbes and Street also point out that, along with other festivals such as the [[Venice Film Festival]] and [[Berlin International Film Festival]], Cannes offers an opportunity to determine a particular country's image of its cinema and generally foster the notion that European cinema is "art" cinema.<ref name="European_Cinema"/>

Additionally, given massive media exposure, the non-public festival is attended by many stars and is a popular venue for film producers to launch their new films and to attempt to sell their works to the distributors who come from all over the globe.

=== Cannes Film Festival in fiction ===
Though most of the media attention the festival receives is journalistic in nature, the festival has been explored from the standpoint of fiction by novelists over the years.

[[Michael Grothaus]]' ''[[Epiphany Jones]]'' is a social satire about the festival and film industry and explores sex trafficking that occurs during the festival. The book was named one of the best Hollywood novels of all time by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ew.com/books/25-irresistible-hollywood-novels/#epiphany-jones-by-michael-grothaus |title=The most irresistible Hollywood novels |work=EW.com |access-date=11 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320104748/https://ew.com/books/25-irresistible-hollywood-novels/#epiphany-jones-by-michael-grothaus |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Iain Johnstone]]'s ''Cannes: The Novel'' is a dystopian tale about terrorists holding the festival hostage.

[[Paulo Coelho]]'s ''[[The Winner Stands Alone]] '' is also set at the Cannes Film Festival.

The culture and history of the festival has been covered in a number of non-fiction books.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cannesestate.se/en/cannes/film-festival-books/ |title=16 Books About Cannes Film Festival you Have to Read |date=6 July 2018 |work=Cannes Estate |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011172934/https://www.cannesestate.se/en/cannes/film-festival-books/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The festival has been used as the backdrop and setting of several films, including ''[[The Last Horror Film]]'' (1982), ''[[La cité de la peur]]'' (1994),  ''[[Festival in Cannes]]'' (2001), ''[[Femme Fatale (2002 film)|Femme Fatale]]'' (2002) and ''[[Mr. Bean's Holiday]]'' (2007); some of these were shot on location at the festival.

==See also==
* [[Directors' Fortnight]]
* [[International Critics' Week]]
* [[ACID (Cannes)|ACID]]
* [[List of Cannes Film Festival jury presidents]]
* [[List of Cannes Film Festival juries (Feature films)]]
* [[List of Cannes Film Festival records]]
* [[Marché du Film]]
* [[List of Big Three film festivals winners]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
<!--If a source in Further reading is used as a citation it must be removed from the section.-->
* {{cite web |last1=Coyle |first1=Jake |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/cannes-outcry-netflix-1.4108106 |title=Outcry over Netflix films prompts Cannes to change rules |website=CBC/Radio-Canada |date=10 May 2017}}
* {{cite web |last1=Ford |first1=Rebecca |last2=Roxborough |first2=Scott |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-awards-hopefuls-are-losing-confidence-cannes-debuts-1004782 |title=Why Awards Hopefuls Are Losing Confidence in Cannes Debuts |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=17 May 2017}}
* {{cite web |last1=Mumford |first1=Gwilym |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/17/cannes-film-festival-2017-opens-security-concrete-flowerpots-drone-killers |title=Concrete flowerpots and drone killers: Cannes opens with beefed-up security |website=The Guardian |date=17 May 2017}}

;Books

* {{cite book |last1=Craig |first1=Benjamin |title=Cannes: A Festival Virgin's Guide |date=2018 |publisher=Cinemagine Media Publishing |isbn=978-1999996109 |edition=7}}
* {{cite book |last=((The Editors of Variety)) |title=Cannes: Fifty Years of Sun, Sex & Celluloid: Behind the Scenes at the World's Most Famous Film Festival |date=1997 |publisher=[[Miramax Books]] |isbn=978-0786882953 |url=https://archive.org/details/cannesfiftyyears00nyva}}
* {{cite book |last1=Beauchamp |first1=Cari |last2=Behar |first2=Henri |title=Hollywood on the Riviera: The Inside Story of the Cannes Film Festival |date=1992 |publisher=[[William Morrow and Company]] |isbn=978-0688110079 |url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodonrivie00beau}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jungen |first1=Christian |title=Hollywood in Canne$: The History of a Love-Hate Relationship (Film Culture in Transition) |date=2015 |publisher=[[Amsterdam University Press]] |isbn=978-9089645661}}

==Media==
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/cannes-film-festival-5 Footage from the 1946 Cannes Film Festival]
* [http://www.cannes.com/fr/culture/cannes-et-le-cinema/les-videos-de-l-ina/cannes-dans-les-archives-de-l-ina/retrospective-du-festival-de-cannes-2007.html Retrospective footage of the Festival presented by INA in 2007]

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/ Cannes Film Festival official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000147/overview/ Cannes Film Festival] at the [[IMDb]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170609053316/http://france.fr/fr/actu/ecoutez-cannes Festival de Cannes at the official website of tourism in France] 2017 {{in lang|fr}}
* [https://www.cannesguide.com Cannes – A Festival Virgin's Guide] – Detailed festival history and information for attendees
* [http://en.rfi.fr/france/20170528-aids-hitmen-and-cannes-2017-palme-dor Radio France Internationale coverage of the Cannes Film Festival] 2017 {{in lang|en}}
* [http://azam.net/ukhotmovies/film-festivals/cannes-film-festival/ Cannes Film Festival: A Potted History] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018203025/http://azam.net/ukhotmovies/film-festivals/cannes-film-festival/ |date=18 October 2020 }}

{{Cannes Film Festival}}
{{Film festivals}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Wikidatacoord|Q42369|region:FR_type:event|display=title}}

[[Category:Cannes Film Festival| ]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in France]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in France]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1946]]
[[Category:Film festivals established in 1939]]
[[Category:Film festivals in France]]
[[Category:May]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Alpes-Maritimes]]