Short answers, pulled from the story.
The organizing committee introduced the Palme d'Or in 1955 to replace the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film. The festival temporarily reverted to the Grand Prix format in 1964 before reintroducing the award in 1975.
Thierry de Bourqueney redesigned the piece in hand-cut crystal during 1992, and Caroline Scheufele took over the redesign in 1997. Since that year, Swiss jeweler Chopard has manufactured every statuette using 135 grams of 18-carat yellow gold.
Theo Angelopoulos became the first director to receive this modern version in 1998 for his film Eternity and a Day. In 2017, diamonds were sourced from an ethical supplier certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council to mark the festival's 70th anniversary.
Jane Campion became the first woman to win the Palme d'Or in 1993 for her film The Piano. Julia Ducournau followed as the second female winner in 2021 with Titine, marking the first time a woman won the award solo without sharing it.
The festival was cancelled midway through 1968 to show solidarity with students and workers during the May 68 movement. No awards were presented that year despite films being selected for competition.