Babelgum Cannes Event

French film "The Class" by director Laurent Cantet won the Palme d'Or top prize at Cannes, the first homegrown movie in two decades to claim the coveted award. The movie is about an inspired teacher in a rough Parisian school.

"The Class", a French film by Laurent Cantet, won the Palme d'Or top prize at Cannes, the first homegrown movie in 21 years to claim the coveted award. The best actor prize went to Oscar-winner Benicio Del Toro for his virtuoso performance as "Che" Guevara in Steven Soderbergh's new movie. Brazil's Sandra Corveloni won the best actress prize for her turn in "Line of Passage". The runner-up grand jury prize went to Italian anti-mafia drama "Gomorra" based on an international bestseller. "Il Divo", another film about corruption in Italy picked another award. Lifetime achievement awards went to cinema veterans Catherine Deneuve of France and actor-director Clint Eastwood.

Spike Lee made an appearance on the beach in Cannes to promote his new film "Miracle at St. Anna". The movie tells the story of four African-American soldiers fighting in Italy in World War II.

Promoting young talent is what the Babelgum Online Film Festival is about. “That’s what young artists need more than anything else”. Take Spike’s word!

Spike Lee showcases racist trash like no other director can!

Entertain and inform: this should be filmmakers’ mission according to Spike Lee.

Italy’s Emanuel Exitu, director of “GREATER – Defeating Aids” talked to us after picking up the Documentary Award from Spike Lee.

What does a well-known and multi-award winning director like Spike Lee love? And what does he hate? Have a guess!

Is the internet a new, alternative means of film showcasing and distribution? According to Spike Lee, yes, “though we’re not there yet”.