By hosting a three-day "Cannes 2020 Special” of screenings on the Croisette for Cannes general public a cultural event was held at a time when the arts are needed more urgently than ever before.
The awarding of the Palme d'or for Short Films on the Grand Théâtre Lumière stage took place on October 29 marking the closing of the occasion.
Following the attack on the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Nice, a black carpet was rolled out instead of the customary red one with a minute’s silence observed at the beginning of the ceremony to pay tribute to the victims and in protest against terrorist attacks.
The Short Film jury made up of Damien Bonnard, Rachid Bouchareb, Claire Burger, Charles Gillibert, Dea Kulumbegashvili and Céline Sallette got up on stage where they were surrounded by the young filmmakers.
The film ‘I Am Afraid To Forget Your Face’ directed by Sameh Alaa was named the unanimous winner of the Palme d’or.
This is the first time an Egyptian film has won the Palme d'or for Short Films at the Festival de Cannes. Meanwhile, the film Souad by fellow Egyptian director Ayten Amin was also chosen for the Official Selection 2020.
The Festival de Cannes was the first film festival to be impacted by the pandemic last spring. The ‘Cannes 2020 Special’ held for Cannes general public took place just a few hours before the latest lockdown ordered by the French government began.