Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Cannes Film Festival, officially named the International Film Festival until 2002, was founded in 1939 by Philippe Erlanger, Jean Zay and Albert Sarraut to counter the political influence of the Mostra of Venice, then under fascist control. The idea emerged after the 1938 scandal, where the Venetian jury, manipulated by the Nazi and Mussolinian regimes, rewarded propaganda films. The first edition, scheduled for September 1, 1939, was cancelled due to the declaration of World War II. Only a private screening of the film Quasimodo by William Dieterle takes place, marking an aborted beginning for what was to be the "free world festival".

The Festival's revival took place in 1946, in a post-war context marked by shortages and diplomatic tensions. Organised from September 20th to October 5th in the Cannes Municipal Casino, this inaugural event highlights films symbolizing the Resistance, such as René Clément's La Bataille du rail. As early as 1947, the Palais des Festivals (then unfinished) was inaugurated, but its roof flew away during a storm, illustrating the logistical difficulties of the beginnings. The 1950s saw the institutionalization of the Festival, with the creation of the Palme d'or in 1955, replacing the Grand Prix, and the emergence of parallel sections such as Criticism Week (1962) or Directors' Fortnight (1969).

The following decades turned Cannes into a showcase for film and a global commercial platform. In 1959, the Film Market was created, becoming a key place for international transactions, while scandals (such as the interruption of 1968 by the events of May 68) or polemics (such as the words of Lars von Trier in 2011) marked its history. The Festival is gradually opening up to diversity, with commitments for parity (signed in 2018) and the representation of non-Western cinematography, although criticism persists on the underrepresentation of women and countries of the South.

Today, the Cannes Film Festival remains an essential media event, combining artistic prestige and economic stakes. Every year in May, it attracts thousands of professionals, journalists and film lovers to La Croisette, where official screenings, film market, and glamorous ceremonies are mixed. Its influence extends far beyond cinema, impacting the local economy (tripling the population during the event) and the city's international reputation. Despite controversies and challenges, it embodies a unique cultural heritage, between tradition and modernity.

The Palais des Festivals, an architectural symbol of the Festival, has evolved to accommodate this growing influx. Built in emergency in 1947 and replaced in 1983 by a criticized "Bunker", it is now the scene of the rise of mythical marches, photocalls and press conferences. The 24 "walks of glory", introduced in 1984, have become a global symbol, while initiatives like Cannes makes the wall (photo exhibitions in the city) or free projections on Macé beach partially democratize access to the event.

Finally, the Cannes Film Festival is also a mirror of geopolitical and societal tensions. From censorship (such as the withdrawal of Night and Fog in 1956 under German pressure) to debates on the representation of women (only 3 Palmes d'or féminine in 70 years), to polemics on the selection of commercial films (Star Wars in 2005), he crystallises the stakes of 7th art. Its history thus reflects the changes in cinema, between art, industry and engagement, while remaining anchored in the French and international cultural landscape.

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