Cannes, May 23, 2014 (SIGNIS/INTERFILM) - The Ecumenical Jury at the Festival de Cannes, celebrating its 40th anniversary, awarded the 2014 Ecumeincal Prize to Timbuktu by Abderrahmane Sissako (France, Mauritania).

"This film tells the story of the life and dignified resistance of men and women in Timbuktu who seek to live according to their culture and traditions while at the same time integrating modern communication media. The film is a strong yet nuanced denunciation of an extremist interpretation of religion.

The Ecumenical Jury Prize honours the film's high artistic achievement and its humour and restraint. While offering a critique of intolerance, the film draws attention to the humanity inherent in each person."

Two Commendations were given to:

The Salt of the Earth by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado (France).

"This documentary masterpiece about photographer Sebastião Salgado is a compelling testimony of our time and a reflection of the human condition worldwide that shows the possibility of hope for humankind."

And to Hermosa juventud by Jaime Rosales (Spain, France).

"A young Spanish couple with a baby seeks to survive the currrent crisis. This documentary-style fiction shows us men and women seeking to make choices when confronted with situations that undermine their personal dignity."

The 2014 Ecumenical Jury members were: Guido Convents (Belgium, President), Jacques Champeaux (France), Mgr Hervé Giraud (France), Kristine Greenaway (Canada), Pastor Julia Helmke (Germany) and María José Martínez Ordóñez (Ecuador).

This year, The Ecumenical Jury was celebrating 40 years of dedicated work with the Festival de Cannes.

SIGNIS and INTERFILM presented a special award to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, the Belgian directors who received two Palme d'Or, for their overall achievement.

For all the pictures and articles about this 67th Festival de Cannes and the 40th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Jury, visit the dedicated website.