The Cannes Film Festival is one of the world's most prestigious film festivals. Established in 1946, it is held annually in Cannes, France. The festival is attended by numerous celebrities and industry executives. The main purpose of the festival is to highlight and promote internationally acclaimed films of all genres, including documentaries, from all over the world. The highest prize awarded at the festival is the Palme d'Or or Golden Palm. Some of the most well-known films that have won the Palme d'Or include Pulp Fiction, The Pianist, and Parasite. The festival runs for 12 days towards the end of May. It features both competitive and non-competitive sections. The main competition focuses on new feature films. Other sections are devoted to shorts, animation, documentaries, and restored classic films. The festival also hosts an annual film market where producers, distributors, financiers, and other industry players can buy and sell content. Many distribution deals are negotiated and concluded at the festival. The Cannes Film Festival plays an important role in shaping global cinema. The films selected to screen at the festival gain significant exposure and media attention. Selection at Cannes can lead to international distribution deals for smaller films and boost the careers of up-and-coming directors and actors. The festival's awards are also very prestigious and help certain films gain critical acclaim and recognition. Over the years, Cannes has showcased and helped popularize major film movements and styles such as the French New Wave. While Cannes is foremost devoted to artistic excellence and independence in filmmaking, it is also a major media event and important for the film industry's commercial side. The festival attracts massive press coverage, in part due to the luxurious setting and numerous celebrity attendees. Cannes has faced some criticism over the years for its extravagant and glamorous image as well as perceived biases in its selection and judging process. However, it remains arguably the most prominent film festival in the world.