By hosting a three-day Cannes 2020 Special of screenings on the Croisette for Cannes, the Festival de Cannes and the Mayor of Cannes celebrated cinema in a city synonymous with this art form.The awarding of the Palme d’or for Short Films on the Grand Théâtre Lumière marked the closing of the occasion.
Surrounded by young filmmakers, the Short Film jury made up of Damien Bonnard, Rachid Bouchareb, Claire Burger, Charles Gillibert, Dea Kulumbegashvili and Céline Sallette got on to stage to name I AM AFRAID TO FORGET YOUR FACE directed by Sameh Alaa as the unanimous winner of the Palme d’or.
In the wake of a new generation of compelling young Egyptian filmmakers featuring in the Official Selection in recent years, 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.
