It may be unofficial but it's one of the most coveted prizes in the world of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cinema. This year's Queer Palm has been won by Xavier Dolan's Laurence Anyways, the story of one person's transition from male to female and its effect on others.
The film, which has been widely praised by critics attending the festival, stars Melvil Popaud in the central role with Suzanne Clement as the adoring fiancee who has to consider what the change will mean for her. Rather than focusing simply on the transition itself, it asks complex questions about relationships, identity, commitment and self expression.
The Queer Palm winner is chosen from among all films with significant LGBT content included in the main selections at the official Cannes film festival. It has previously been won by Kaboom and Beauty. Its organisers aim to raise awareness of exceptional LGBT films that might otherwise go unnoticed by mainstream cinema.
