Cannes film festival hits 61

* Originally conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-Fascist-influenced Venice film festival, Cannes has been held annually since 1946 apart from 1948 and 1950, when lack of funds led to the cancellation of the event.

* In 1949 the stars started coming: Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Norma Shearer, Errol Flynn and Edward G. Robinson all appeared that year. Brigitte Bardot made her first appearance in 1953.

* A year later, starlet Simone Silva dropped her bikini top beside Robert Mitchum in front of the photographers, resulting in the kind of racy coverage that secured the festival's reputation.

* In 1960, the first Cannes Market opened its doors to some 10 participants and one screen -- a canvas hung from the roof of the old Palais Croisette. It quickly became a major meeting point for buyers and sellers from all over the world.

* Jane Campion became the first female director to win the Palme d'Or in 1993 for her film "The Piano".

* In 1997 a "Palme des Palmes" -- a super-version of the Palme d'Or best film prize -- was awarded to Ingmar Bergman for the 50th festival. The Swedish director did not appear.

* Romanian entry "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" walked away with the 2007 Palme d'Or for best film out of 22 in the main competition, a popular choice after critics had raved about its hard-hitting story simply but powerfully told.

* "Blindness" will be the opening film in 2008, by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles, director of the acclaimed drama "City of God". The English-language film stars Julianne Moore as the only person able to see in a town in which everyone else is mysteriously struck blind.

* Hollywood will also be on show with the world premiere of the latest Indiana Jones adventure, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". The film will premiere outside the main competition.