The festival opened with La Tete Haute ("Standing Tall"), a French comedy-drama about a troubled teen’s journey to adulthood, by French director Emmanuelle Bercot.

It is the first time since 1987 that a film directed by a woman has opened the festival.

Two Turkish directors are showing their films at the festival. Ziya Demirel’s Tuesday and Deniz Gamze Erguven’s Mustang will feature.

The festival ends on May 24 with the Palme d'Or award ceremony. A total of 83 films are to be screened.

Last year, Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan won the award for Winter Sleep.