Cannes Film Festival 2013

An audacious lesbian love story, Blue is the Warmest Colour by French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in a watershed year for gay rights. An all-star jury at cinema’s top showcase led this year by Hollywood director Steven Spielberg crowned the graphically erotic coming-of-age story set in France. The award came on the day of a major demonstration in Paris against a new law making France the 14th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

The 66th annual Cannes Film Festival took place in Cannes, France, from 15 to 26 May 2013.

     Steven Spielberg was the head of the jury for the main competition.

     The New Zealand film director Jane Campion was the head of the jury for the Cinéfondation and Short Film sections.

     The French actress Audrey Tautou hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.

The festival opened with The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann and closed with Zulu, directed by Jérôme Salle. The French film Blue Is the Warmest Colour won the Palme d'Or. In an unprecedented move, the Jury decided to take "the exceptional step" of awarding the film's two main actresses with the Palme d'Or along with the director.

Awards:-

Award Name	Film (titles in English)	Production Countries	Winner	Directed by
Palme d’Or	Blue is the warmest colour	France	-------	Abdellatif Kechiche
Grandd Prix	Inside Llewyn Davis	USA	------	Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Best Director	Heli	Mexico	-------	Amat Escalante
Best Screenplay	A touch of Sin	China	Jia Zhangke	Jia Zhangke
Best Actor (M)	Nebraska	USA	Bruce Dern	Alexander Payne
Best Actor (F)	The Past	France	Berenice Bejo	Asghar Farhadi
Jury Prize	Like Father, Like Son	Japan	--------	Kore-eda Hirokazu

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to receive special invitation for Cannes Film Fest

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to receive special invitation for Cannes Film Festival

The French government will specially invite actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the Cannes Film Festival scheduled later this year which will also celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema, a senior diplomat has said. Aishwarya was conferred upon a civilian award by the French government for her contribution to the arts on the occasion of her birthday last year.

Responding to a question, French Ambassador to India Francois Richier told reporters that Aishwarya is always respected in France because of her association with the Cannes film festival.

He said that, she is very dear to our heart and we are very grateful to her, who had conferred the civilian award to the actress on behalf of the French government. The Cannes festival will have a special focus on Indian Cinema where we will invite Indian film stars, adding that Aishwarya would also be invited.

Aishwarya's French connection is a long one, right from the time she has been endorsing a French cosmetic brand.