The 77th Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious and influential film festivals globally, concluded on May 25 after a 12-day celebration of cinematic excellence. The festival, held on the picturesque shores of the Mediterranean Sea, witnessed a dazzling array of stars from Hollywood, Bollywood, and beyond gracing the red carpet.

The highest honor of the festival, the Palme d'Or, was awarded to American director Sean Baker for his film "Anora." This comedy-drama, which tells the poignant story of a sex worker, triumphed over formidable contenders like Francis Ford Coppola, Ali Abbasi, Jack Adianer, and Jia Zhang-qi. Despite not being widely discussed prior to the festival, "Anora" emerged as a dark horse, captivating the jury and audience alike. Mikey Madison's performance in the film was particularly noteworthy. In his acceptance speech, an elated Baker admitted, "I don't know what's going on tonight."

India had a remarkable presence at this year's Cannes, making history with multiple wins. Kolkata actress Ansuya Sengupta was awarded Best Actress in the 'Un Certain Regard' category for her role in "The Shameless," directed by Konstantin Bonzyanov. This marked a significant achievement as Sengupta became the first Indian actress to win in this category.

In another surprise, Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light" won the Grand Prix, the second highest honor at Cannes. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation, a testament to its powerful storytelling and captivating performances by Kani Kushruti, Divya Prabha, Chaya Kadam, and Ridhu Harun. This win marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian film in the main competition category won such a prestigious award.

Portuguese director Miguel Gomez was honored with the Best Producer award for his period drama "Grand Tour." The Best Actress award was shared among Adriana Paz, Joey Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Clara Sofia Gascon for their roles in "Emilia Perez," directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audien.

American actor Jesse Plemons won Best Actor for his compelling performance in "Kinds of Kindness," while Coralie Farjan received the Best Screenplay award.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival was a celebration of diverse cinematic voices and storytelling, highlighting emerging talent and honoring established filmmakers. As the festival closed, it left behind a trail of memorable moments and groundbreaking achievements, setting a high bar for future editions.