Historically, International Critics’ Week is the first « parallel » section of the Cannes Film Festival.

It has steadfastly remained true to its tradition of discovering new talents. Critics’ Week was conceived by the French Union of Film Critics in 1962 to showcase first and second feature films by directors from all over the world. Bernardo Bertolucci, Ken Loach, Wong Kar Wai, Jacques Audiard, Arnaud Desplechin, Gaspar Noé and François Ozon all started out at Critics’ Week.

A reflection of a mix of demand and curiosity – main aspects of cinema critic – International Critics’ Week intends to explore and reveal the new creation.
Being a discoverer of new talents helped Critics’ Week bringing to the audience’s notice films like Amores Perros by Gonzalez Iñarritu, Respiro by Emanuele Crialese, Since Otar Left by Julie Bertuccelli (then awarded by the Cesar for best first feature film) Brodeuses by Eléonore Faucher et Les amitiés maléfiques by Emmanuel Bourdieu.

International Critics’ Week has been under the spotlights of Cannes for five years now by winning three Caméra d’Or in a row (award for best first feature film amongst all sections of the festival) : Reconstruction by Cristoffer Boe (2003), Or by Keren Yedaya (2004) et Me and You and Everyone We Know by Miranda July (2005). The 2007 Caméra d’Or was also awarded to Critics’ Week’s film : Meduzot by Etgar Keret & Shira Geffen.