[2][3] French filmmaker Louis Malle served as jury president for the main competition.

French actress Jeanne Moreau hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.

[4] The Palme d'Or was jointly award to Chinese filmmaker Chen Kaige for the drama film Farewell My Concubine and New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion for the drama film The Piano.

[5][6] Campion became the first woman to ever win the festival's top prize.

The festival opened with My Favorite Season by André Téchiné,[7] and closed with Toxic Affair by Philomène Esposito.