Cannes: the history of the most prestigious film festival in the world

The Festival de Cannes stands today as the preeminent global celebration of cinema. Held annually on the French Riviera, it attracts immense attention as both an artistic showcase and cultural happening. Widely considered to have begun in 1946 with its first official event, Cannes has since grown into the leading stage for films and filmmaking talent from around the world. Its selection of titles, awards given, and discussions convened make it a pivotal gathering for the international film community. Yet the foundations for what would become this prestigious festival were in fact laid earlier, with the initial vision for such a celebration of the cinematic arts traceable back to 1939. Now in its eighth glorious decade, Cannes continues to set the global standard for championing excellence, innovation, and the power of storytelling through the moving image.

In July 1938, tensions arose at the Venice Film Festival, then in its sixth year as the primary international film event. As major filmmaking nations convened, France submitted a selection of titles and was represented on the jury by diplomat Philippe Erlanger.

During the awards ceremony, a unanimous jury favored an American film, but external pressures dictated other results. An authoritarian-backed German and Italian film received the highest honors instead, triggering dissent among democratic jurors. France, the United States, and Britain withdrew in protest, refusing future participation.
The experience weighed heavily on Erlanger during his return journey. Contemplating the politics infringing on artistic selection, he envisioned establishing an alternative event free of such constraints. Upon arriving home, he immediately began discussions to realize his idea. With the next Venice festival nearing, time was of the essence if France wished to host a rival celebration highlighting cinema's cultural diplomacy. And thus, the seeds were sown for what would grow into the prestigious Festival de Cannes.

Caught Between Prestige and Prospect

For its new festival to rival Venice's standing, France required a venue to match the Italian city's glamour. Among ten proposed locations, Biarritz was initially selected on May 9th, 1939. However, Cannes' advocates—including municipal councilor Georges Prade and local hoteliers—mounted an effort promoting their town.
Meanwhile, Cannes lay on the French Riviera, a coastline evoking thoughts of California's allure. This fed visions that the town could attract interest from Hollywood, then the global pinnacle of commercial cinema.

On May 31st, officials sided with Cannes, officially establishing the International Film Festival just three months before its debut. The symbolic "Pearl of the Riviera" had won the chance to transform its dreams of rivaling Venice's prestige while tapping into the prospective spotlight of Hollywood. Beginning merely as an alternative borne of political tensions, the Festival de Cannes was now set to embark on its journey to becoming the world's premier cinematic showcase.

The inaugural 1939 Festival was set for September 1st-20th in the Municipal Casino's theater hall. Cinema pioneer Louis Lumière agreed to serve as honorary president for the landmark event.

While war would interrupt the first edition, the foundations were firmly laid for an event fostering cross-cultural appreciation through cinema. Its commitment to universal participation and objective assessment of creative works set Cannes apart as a neutral gathering devoted to celebrating the artistic achievements of this burgeoning new art form.

Even as war engulfed the continent in early 1940, Cannes authorities under Philippe Erlanger persevered to realize their Festival vision. Diplomatically, France secured tentative support from Italy, not yet officially allied with Germany, on the sole condition of scheduling independence from Venice.

As France experienced deep social unrest in late 1968, the 21st Festival proceeded on May 11th with the restored Gone with the Wind. However, the political climate soon impacted Cannes. The event quickly shifted from celebration to forum for protesters' voices. Jury members resigned in solidarity. Several directors withdrew films. On May 19th, Louis Malle, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Berri, Milos Forman, Roman Polanski and Claude Lelouch halted the screening of Peppermint Frappé by clinging to the curtain, demanding to be heard.

Though turbulence disrupted the 1968 edition, Cannes proved resilient through change. Its willingness to adapt by incubating new showcases cemented the Festival's roles as both establishment champion and incubator nurturing burgeoning voices. Art would continue galvanizing discourse on societal evolution through the moving image.