The 59th Cannes Film Festival was held from 17 to 28 May 2006. Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar-wai served as jury president for the main competition, the first Chinese to preside over the jury. English filmmaker Ken Loach won the Palme d'Or for the war drama film The Wind That Shakes the Barley. The official poster for the festival features a still image from the Wong Kar-wai's 2000 film In the Mood for Love, which won the Best Actor award at the 53rd edition of the festival. The festival opening film was The Da Vinci Code directed by Ron Howard. While Transylvania by Tony Gatlif was the closing film. This edition also marked the first time in three years that no American film, actor, actress, or filmmaker won any awards in Cannes.

Juries

The following people were appointed as juries in the various selection below:

Main competition

Un Certain Regard

Cinéfondation and Short Films Competition

Camera d'Or

Official Selection

Main Competition

The following feature films competed for the Palme d'Or: The Palme d'Or winner has been highlighted.

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 Films Competition

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

Cannes Classics

The Cannes Classics section highlights heritage cinema, re-discovered films, restored prints and theatrical, television or DVD releases of great films of the past. Tribute Documentaries about Cinema Restored prints

Parallel sections

International Critics' Week

The following films were screened for the 45th International Critics' Week (45e Semaine de la Critique): Feature film competition Short film competition

Directors' Fortnight

The following films were screened for the 2006 Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalizateurs):

Official Awards

The following films and people received the 2006 Official selection awards:

Main Competition

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

Directors' Fortnight

Prix François Chalais

Media