The first Cannes Film Festival opened in 1946 and is a major film awards ceremony which rivals the Venice Film Festival as well as the Oscars. It can also rival the Sundance Film Festival as it showcases many independent films. This section of the awards ceremony is know as the 'Un Certain Regard'.
Beyond this, Cannes hosts a movie market which allows the smallest filmmakers to present their work, demonstrate their capacity, and build a rapport with industry specialists to help attract distributers, publicity and above all an audience. Other categories include 'Cinéfondation', which gives students in cinema a chance to make a name for themselves by showcasing their homework. 'Special' and Midnight Screening Ceremonies' are largely held to honour and pay tribute to various titans in world cinema. But the most sought after award is the 'Palme d'Or'.
Twenty films compete for this most prestigious prize as well as seven others. All competing films are judged by a diverse panel of industry experts who scrutinize every detail, but smaller juries select winners of some awards particular to the ceremony that year. But not everyone can have a piece of the action, as Cannes is very exclusive and access is prohibited to the general public.