1961 Cannes Film Festival

1961 Cannes Film Festival
Official poster of the 14th Cannes Film Festival, an original illustration by A.M. Rodicq.
Opening filmThe Joy of Living
LocationCannes, France
Founded1946
AwardsPalme d'Or:
The Long Absence
Viridiana
No. of films30 (In Competition)
Festival date3 May 1961 (1961-05-03) – 18 May 1961 (1961-05-18)
Websitefestival-cannes.com/en

The 14th Cannes Film Festival took place from 3 to 18 May 1961. French writer Jean Giono served as jury president for the main competition.

The Palme d'Or was jointly awarded to The Long Absence by Henri Colpi and Viridiana by Luis Buñuel.

The festival also screened Shirley Clarke's debut film The Connection, due to the efforts of the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics. The success of the film caused the festival to create International Critics' Week the following year.

The festival opened with The Joy of Living by René Clément.