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
2011 Cannes Film Festival Niro explained, "It had the size, the importance, the intention, whatever you want to call it, that seemed to fit the prize." The following films and people received the 2011 Official selection awards: In Competition 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 Awards in the frame of Directors' Fortnight Association Prix François Chalais Queer Palm Palm Dog 2011 Cannes Film Festival The 64th Cannes Film Festival was held from 11 to 22 May 2011. American actor Robert De Niro served as