The Best Actress Award () is an award presented at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

since 1946. It is given to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance and chosen by the jury from the films in official competition slate at the festival. At the 1st Cannes Film Festival held in 1946,

Michèle Morgan Michèle Morgan (; born Simone Renée Roussel; 29 February 1920 – 20 December 2016) was a French film actress, who was a leading lady for three decades in both French cinema and Hollywood features. She is considered one of the greatest Fren ...

was the first winner of this award for her performance in '' Pastoral Symphony'', while Nadia Melliti is the most recent winner in this category for her role in '' The Little Sister'' at the

78th Cannes Film Festival The 78th annual Cannes Film Festival took place from 13 to 24 May 2025. French actress Juliette Binoche served as jury president for the main competition. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, for the drama ...

in 2025.

History

The award was first presented in 1946. The prize was not awarded on three occasions (1947, 1953, and 1954). The festival was not held at all in 1948, 1950, and 2020. In 1968, no awards were given as the festival was called off mid-way due to the

May 1968 events in France May 68 () was a period of widespread protests, strikes, and civil unrest in France that began in May 1968 and became one of the most significant social uprisings in modern European history. Initially sparked by student demonstrations agains ...

. On five occasions, the jury has awarded multiple women (more than 2) the prize for one film. The five films were '' A Big Family'' (1955), '' Brink of Life'' (1958), '' A World Apart'' (1988), ''

Volver ''Volver'' (, meaning "to return") is a 2006 Spanish comedy-drama film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, and ...

'' (2006), and '' Emilia Pérez'' (2024).

Vanessa Redgrave Dame Vanessa Redgrave (born 30 January 1937) is an English actress. In her career spanning over six decades, she has garnered List of awards and nominations received by Vanessa Redgrave, numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony A ...

Barbara Hershey Barbara Lynn Herzstein, better known as Barbara Hershey (born February 5, 1948), is an American actress. In a career spanning more than 50 years, she has played a variety of roles on television and in cinema in several genres, including Wester ...

Helen Mirren Dame Helen Mirren (; born Ilyena Lydia Vasilievna Mironov; 26 July 1945) is an English actor. With a career spanning over six decades of Helen Mirren on screen and stage, screen and stage, List of awards and nominations received by Helen Mirre ...

, and Isabelle Huppert have won the most awards in this category, each winning twice. Hershey is the only actress to win the award in consecutive years, for '' Shy People'' (1987) and ''A World Apart'' (1988).

Isabelle Adjani Isabelle Yasmine Adjani (born 27 June 1955) is a French actress and singer of Algerian and German descent. She has received various accolades, including five César Awards and a Lumière Award, along with nominations for two Academy Awards. ...

is the only actress to win for roles in two different films in the same competition, for her performances in '' Possession'' and ''

Quartet In music, a quartet (, , , , ) is an ensemble of four singers or instrumental performers. Classical String quartet In classical music, one of the most common combinations of four instruments in chamber music is the string quartet. String quar ...

'' in 1981. The award can be for lead or supporting roles, with the exception of the period from 1979 to 1981, when the festival used to award a separate "Best Supporting Actress" prize. The jury also, on occasion, cites actresses with a special citation that is separate from the main award.

Winners

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Multiple winners

The following individuals have received multiple Best Actress awards:

Notes

:A: This year the award was changed to ''Prix d'Interpretation'' (Acting Award), without gender differentiation. :B: The entire male and female cast of '' A Big Family'' (''Больша́я семья́'') was recipient of this award in a tie with

Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the ...

for '' Bad Day at Black Rock''. :C: This year award was given as ''Prix collectif d'interprétation féminine Un Certain Regard'' (Collective Female Acting Award – Un Certain Regard) to the female cast of '' Brink of Life'' (''Nära livet''). :D: This year award was given as ''Prix Le Premier Regard Un Certain Regard'' (Premiere Award – Un Certain Regard) to the lead male and female cast of '' Long Day's Journey into Night'' and '' A Taste of Honey'' (ex aequo). :E: Performer to receive a joint award which honor the outstanding work in multiple different films in the same official competition slate.

References

External links

Cannes Film Festival official website

Cannes Film Festival at IMDb
. {{DEFAULTSORT:Cannes Film Festival Award For Best Actress Awards for actresses Film awards for lead actress Film awards for supporting actress Cannes, Best Actress