The 41st Cannes Film Festival took place from 11 to 23 May 1988.

[4] Italian filmmaker Ettore Scola served as jury president for the main competition.

[5] Danish filmmaker Bille August won the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, for his drama film Pelle the Conqueror.

[6][7] The festival opened with The Big Blue by Luc Besson,[8][9] and closed with Willow by Ron Howard.

[10][11] The following feature films competed for the Palme d'Or:[3] The following films were selected for the Un Certain Regard section:[3] The following films were selected to be screened out of competition: The following films were selected to receive a special screening: The following short films competed for the Palme d'Or du court métrage:[3] The following feature films were screened for the 27th International Critics' Week (27e Semaine de la Critique):[13] Feature film competition Short film competition The following feature films were screened for the 1988 Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalizateurs):[15] Short films