2008 Cannes Film Festival 2008 Cannes Film Festival The 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival was held from 14 to 25 May 2008. The President of the Official Jury was American actor and director Sean Penn. Twenty two films from fourteen countries were selected to compete for the "Palme d'Or". The awards were announced on 24 May. The film "The Class" ("Entre les murs"), directed by Laurent Cantet won the "Palme d'Or". The festival opened with "Blindness", directed by Fernando Meirelles and closed with "What Just Happened", directed by Barry Levinson. Édouard Baer was the master of ceremonies. "Hunger", directed by Steve McQueen, opened the
2007 Cannes Film Festival war-related issues that have continued to plague its setting, Lebanon, til now. The film proved to be a sleeper at the festival and was distributed in well over 40 countries, becoming an international hit. The following films and people received the 2007 Official selection awards: Un Certain Regard Cinéfondation Golden Camera Short films FIPRESCI Prizes Vulcan Award of the Technical Artist Ecumenical Jury Awards in the frame of International Critics' Week Other awards Association Prix François Chalais 2007 Cannes Film Festival The 60th Cannes Film Festival ran from 16 to 27 May 2007. The President of the Jury was British