FESTIVAL DE CANNES: 70 YEARS OF THE BEST CINEMA

Festival de Cannes

Festival de Cannes is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from around the world. 

Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually, usually in May, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

The Cannes Film Festival has its origins in 1932 when Jean Zay, the French Minister of National Education, on the proposal of Philippe Erlanger and with the support of the British and Americans, set up an international cinematographic festival.

The first edition of the Festival was originally set to be held in Cannes in 1939 under the presidency of Louis Lumière. However, it was not until over a year after the war ended that it finally took place, on 20 September 1946. 

It was subsequently held every September, except in 1948 and 1950, and then every May from 1952 onwards.

The Grandma in her youth in Cannes

In 1947, the festival was held as the Festival du film de Cannes, where films from sixteen countries were presented. At that time the principle of equality was introduced, with a jury made up of only one representative per country. 

The festival is now held at the Palais des Festivals, expressly constructed for the occasion, although for its 1949 inaugural the roof was unfinished and blew off during a storm. 

The festival was not held in 1948 and 1950 on account of budgetary problems. 

Although its origins may be attributed in part to the French desire to compete with Autumn's Venice Film Festival, in 1951 Cannes was moved to spring to avoid a fall clash.

More information: Festival de Cannes Official Site

Cannes is a circus, so you have to have fun with it. 

Everything suddenly becomes funny.

Mathieu Amalric