Even before the annual Cannes International Film Festival started on May 15, 2013, a jewelry heist in a hotel dominated the headlines. The annual film festival is held in Cannes, France each year usually from May 15 to May 26. This year is no exception. The invitation only film festival held yearly since 1946 except in 1948 and 1950 due to budgetary problems.
This year’s President of the Jury is one of the best American film directors, Steven Spielberg. Ang Lee, Nicole Kidman and other judges are included in the distinguished panel. Instead of holding official screening at a cinema, rumors say that they are watching in the luxury of Spielberg’s yacht which is equipped with an infinity pool and state-of-the-art cinema theater. Most prestigious award is given is known as Palme d’Or (“Golden Palm”) given to the best film and the favorite among the twenty competing for the honor include The Coens’ Inside Llewyn Davis, Ashgar Farhadi’s The Past, Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue is the Warmest Colour, and Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza. In addition to the Golden Palm award, there are other awards including Grand Price of the Festival, Jury Prize, Best Actor and Actress, and the Best Director.