The 41st Cannes Film Festival took place from 11 to 23 May 1988. Italian filmmaker Ettore Scola served as jury president for the main competition. Danish filmmaker Bille August won the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, for his drama film Pelle the Conqueror. The festival opened with The Big Blue by Luc Besson, and closed with Willow by Ron Howard.

Juries

Main competition

Camera d'Or

Official selection

In Competition

The following feature films competed for the Palme d'Or:

Un Certain Regard

The following films were selected for the Un Certain Regard section:

Out of Competition

The following films were selected to be screened out of competition:

Special Screenings

The following films were selected to receive a special screening:

Short film competition

The following short films competed for the Palme d'Or du court métrage:

Parallel sections

International Critics' Week

The following feature films were screened for the 27th International Critics' Week (27e Semaine de la Critique): Feature film competition Short film competition

Directors' Fortnight

The following feature films were screened for the 1988 Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalizateurs):

Official Awards

In Competition

Caméra d'Or

Short films

Short Film Palme d'Or

Independent Awards

FIPRESCI Prizes

Commission Supérieure Technique

Prize of the Ecumenical Jury

Award of the Youth

Other awards

Media