The 56th Cannes Film Festival took place from 14 to 25 May 2003. French opera and theatre director, filmmaker, actor and producer Patrice Chéreau was the President of the Jury for the main competition. Monica Bellucci hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. American filmmaker Gus Van Sant won the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, for the drama film Elephant, based on the Columbine High School massacre. Ingmar Bergman was awarded with the Honorary Palme d'Or for his contributions to cinema throughout his career. The festival opened with Fanfan la Tulipe by Gérard Krawczyk, and closed with Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin by Richard Schickel.

Juries

The following people were appointed as the Jury for the various sections below:

Main competition

Un Certain Regard

Cinéfondation and Short Films 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 competition of Un Certain Regard:

Out of Competition

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

Cinéfondation

The following short films were selected for the competition of Cinéfondation:

Short film competition

The following short films competed for the Short Film Palme d'Or:

Parallel sections

International Critics' Week

The following films were screened for the 42nd International Critics' Week (42e Semaine de la Critique): Feature film competition Short film competition Special screenings

Directors' Fortnight

Apart from 16 short films, the following feature films were screened for the 2003 Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalizateurs):

Official Awards

In Competition

The following films and people received the 2003 Official selection awards:

Un Certain Regard

Cinéfondation

Caméra d'Or

Short Films Competition

Independent Awards

FIPRESCI Prizes

Vulcan Award of the Technical Artist

Prize of the Ecumenical Jury

Award of the Youth

Critics' Week

Honorary Golden Palm

Cinema Prize of the French National Education System

Golden Coach

AFCAE Award

François Chalais Award

Media