Cannes Film Festival is a significant event in the world of art, participation in which can be afforded both by professionals of the highest class, and by amateur students. The history of the event could begin as far back as 1939. The organizers intended to create an alternative to the Venice Film Festival, which suddenly fell into the hands of the Nazi regime. On the post of the chairman of the jury was appointed the famous Louis Lumiere. However, the planned opening of September 1 did not take place - the Second World War began.
History continued seven years later - in 1946. Then the main tradition of the festival was laid-the Grand Prix (since 1955 - the "Golden Palm Branch"), which was awarded to the best film from the short and full-length films presented. In addition to the main prize, other filmmakers also received awards - for the best script, direction, performance of roles, camera work and many others. But the Golden Palm branch, of course, remained a coveted fruit, which was to permanently tear itself into the history of cinematography. Since 1951 the festival was decided to be held only in the spring. Since then, in April and May, the Cannes have turned from an ordinary French seaside town to the epicenter of the "greatest of the arts", where the world cinema stars and admirers of their talents concentrated.
The first palm branch, which was made of pure gold in 1955, was solemnly presented to Delbert Mann. The director was awarded for his outstanding work - the film "Marty". By the end of the 60's, the Cannes Film Festival became a very respectable event with a magnificent infrastructure and original conceptual approach of the organizers. And since 1978, the competitive show was supplemented by a separate section "A special look", which did not participate in the race for "gold."
Laureates of the Cannes Film Festival undergo a severe preliminary selection. However, it should be noted that the competition is very democratic, and anyone can take part in it. It is enough only to fulfill a number of conditions - the film must be removed during the last 12 months before the festival, and it should not be seen in other competitions. From the proposed options, a special commission selects the best candidates who will represent the country in a particular program - the main, "Special Look", short films, Cinefondation (student work).
The jury, which is appointed by the directorate of the festival, at the final meeting after viewing all the participating films decides who will get the main prize - the Golden Palm Branch, and identifies other winners. Only once, in 1958, the Russian film "The Cranes Are Flying" by Mikhail Kalatozov won the highest award. The names of all prize-winners became the property of the cinema, despite possible contradictions and disputes. The golden palm branch is the crown that crowns the best. Of course, we can not ignore some political and social aspects that invisibly affect the opinion of the jury. An example of this was the winner of the 66th Cannes Festival - "The Life of Adele" directed by Abdellatif Keshish. The history of lesbian love against the background of the intensified propaganda of homosexuality in Europe was expected to be crowned with gold.