Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival. It is chosen by the jury from the official films in competition at the festival. It was first awarded in 1946. The ceremony was cancelled in 1948, 1950, and 1968. No awards were given to actresses in 1947. On four occasions, the jury has awarded multiple women the prize from one film. The four films were A World Apart, Brink of Life, A Big Family, and Volver. The jury also on occasion cites actresses with a special citation that is separate from the main award. 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.