As one of the largest film festivals in the world, everyone had their eyes on Cannes Film Festival all of last week. While this is typical for such a star-studded event, this year marked a special edition.
From thought-provoking films and record-breaking wins, to red-carpet protests, we bring you all the major highlights from this year’s film festival.
Organized by French organization, 5050 x 2020, the festival’s jury president Cate Blanchett and 82 film industry women took to the steps of the Palais des Festival to protest gender inequality—urging the festival directors to sign a pledge promising to increase gender equality.
Lebanese Director Nadine Labaki scored the Cannes Jury Prize for her film Capernaum, becoming the first Arab woman to win such a major prize at the festival. Labaki was one of only three women in the competition.
Tunisian Producer Dora Bouchoucha debuted a new film, Weldi, directed by Mohamed Ben Attia, and won critical acclaim.
Japanese film, Shoplifters, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda won the prestigious Palme d’Or.
Spike Lee’s film BlacKkKlansman—an anti-Trump comedy—received the Grand Prix, the festival’s second major prize.
Korean film, Lee Chang-dong’s Burning, was awarded the Fipresci International Critics’ Prize, with the highest score ever received. Burning is the first Korean film to win such a prize.
