When Was The Cannes Film Festival Founded?

Founded in 1939 the Cannes festival is now held annually in Cannes in the South of France. Usually held in May the festival is considered to be a showcase event for the top performers in the industry. The Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) award is the pinnacle of the festival. This is the prize for best film screened at Cannes and is voted for by a jury of industry professionals. The prize helps launch and sustain careers in a very competitive industry but most of the business at Cannes takes place outside of the prize competition. Apart from the publicity value of being seen at the event (stars walking along the resorts central promenade 'La Croissette' and attending screenings are staple media images from the event) the primary activities at Cannes every year is pitching. Pitching is the art of getting your idea/script/film funded, made and distributed.