Nomination of Iris Knobloch, first woman to become President of the Festival de Cannes.
Women directors distinguished themselves in a historic manner at the awards by taking home the four most prestigious prizes from the different competitions: the French director Julia Ducournau won the Palme d’or for Titane, the Hong Kong director won the Short Film Palme d’or for Tian Xia Wu Ya (All the Crows in the World), the Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic won the Caméra d’or for her debut film Murina and the Russian director Kira Kovalenko took home the Un Certain Regard Prize for Razzhimaya Kulaki (Unclenching the Fists).
The Marché du Film proposed a collection of programmes under the “impACT” banner, the goal of which is to give rise to conversations and debates on the questions of inclusiveness, diversity, responsibility and sustainability in the film industry. The goal is to supply professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools to work towards multifaceted and pluralistic filmmaking, one whose content is meant for all participants.
Spike Lee’s statement: “I’m honoured to be the first person from the African diaspora (USA) to be president of the Jury of Cannes and of a major festival.”
Parity is ensured among the Festival’s selection committee, which now has 5 women and 4 men.
In May 2018, on the occasion of the launching of the 50/50 charter for parity and diversity in cinema, a climbing of the steps by 82 women was symbolically organised with a powerful speech from Agnès Varda, Honorary Palme d’or winner in 2015, and Cate Blanchett, president of the Jury that year.
The red steps welcome the “Noire n’est pas mon métier” (Black is not my profession) collective.
Creation of the Village international. 22 years after its creation, it now welcomes over 60 film countries every year.
