At the end of 1930s, France felt the rising arrogance of German and Italian fascists at that time. 1936, German propaganda minister Josef Goebbels vigorously operated leni riefenstahl to film the Berlin Olympic Games that year; From 65438 to 0938, the German documentary Olympia was shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival and won the best foreign language film Mussolini Cup. So Jean Zay, the French Minister of Public Administration and Arts, accepted the suggestion of Philippe Erlanger and decided to establish a new international film festival in Cannes, the full name of which is "Festival International Du Film". Because of the comfortable climate, Cannes was chosen as the venue.

1 In June, 939, Louis Lumière served as the chairman of the International Film Festival, which lasted from September to September 30th.

From August 65438 to August 0939, American filmmaker Metro Goldwyn Mayer took Hollywood stars to Cannes, France to hold parties and banquets, which attracted many fans to stop for a while. 1 September, Germany invaded Poland, and the film festival was cancelled immediately; On September 3rd, France and Britain declared war on Germany.

After World War II

1946 On September 20th, with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the Film Federation, the French Art Action Association held the Cannes International Film Festival again, which was the first time in the true sense. 1 Cannes International Film Festival was held in an old casino in Cannes, jointly organized by the French Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Commerce.

1948, 1950 Cannes International Film Festival was closed due to financial difficulties; 1949, Cannes International Film Festival was held in the Festival Palace, which the French call "red carpet architecture".