Best Director Award (Cannes Film Festival) for "Barton Fink", and in 2003, when Gus Van Sant won for his film "Elephant". Best Director Award (Cannes Film Festival) The Best Director Award () is an annual award presented at the Cannes Film Festival for best directing achievements in a feature film screened as part of festival's official selection (i.e. films selected for the competition program which compete for the festival's main prize Palme d'Or). Awarded by festival's jury, it was first given in 1946. The prize was not awarded on 12 occasions (1947, 1953–54, 1960, 1962–64, 1971, 1973–74, 1977, 1980). In addition, the festival was not held
1966 Cannes Film Festival 1966 Cannes Film Festival The 19th Cannes Film Festival was held from 5 to 20 May 1966. To honour the festival's 20th anniversary, a special prize was given. The Grand Prix du Festival International du Film went to the "Signore & Signori" by Pietro Germi, in tie with "Un homme et une femme" by Claude Lelouch. The festival opened with "Modesty Blaise", directed by Joseph Losey and closed with "Faraon", directed by Jerzy Kawalerowicz. The following people were appointed as the Jury of the 1966 film competition: Feature films Short films The following feature films competed for the Grand Prix