Austrian director Michael Haneke won the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) for best picture at the Cannes film festival on Sunday for “The White Ribbon,” his eerie exploration of the roots of Nazi terror.

Since 1954, the award has been annually given to the Director of the best film presented at the festival.

The Palme d’or 2009 has been created by Chopard and it reminds of the coat of arms of the city of Cannes.

The story of Chopard and the Festival de Cannes started eleven years ago.

The famous watch and jewelry producer was going to open a boutique on the Boulevard de la Croisette, located right in the heart of Cannes.

Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Co-President and the Artistic Director of the brand, met Pierre Viot, President of the festival.

Mr. Viot asked Mrs. Gruosi-Scheufele whether the company could redesign the Golden Palm award.

Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele introduced a completely new design of the award and the master craftsmen in the Chopard workshop developed the new concept.

The new Palme D’Or was unveiled on May 24, 1998.

The Golden Palm represents a plant-like piece composed of nicely veined leaflets. One palm leaf is featured on a crystal cushion with the shape reminding an emerald-cut diamond.

A bevelled heart, as the crowning detail, is found at the end of the stem and serves as a delicate hint at Chopard symbol.

Over 4000 journalists are invited to the Cannes Film Festival each year.

Their photographs and accounts of the event are then sent out to nearly every country in the world for publication.

The Cannes Film Festival has indeed become one of the world’s most glamorous events. It is a twelve day parade of fashion, celebrity and luxury.

Source: Infoniac