The 60th edition of the Cannes Film Festival opens on Wednesday. Here are some facts about the world's largest film festival.

• Originally conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-Fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival, Cannes has been held annually since 1946 apart from 1948 and 1950, when it was cancelled because of lack of funds.

• In 1949 the stars started coming: Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Norma Shearer, Errol Flynn and Edward G. Robinson all appeared that year. Brigitte Bardot made her first appearance in 1953.

• A year later, starlet Simone Silva dropped her bikini top beside Robert Mitchum in front of the photographers, resulting in the kind of racy coverage that secured the festival's reputation.

• In 1960, the first Cannes Market opened its doors to 10 participants and one screen — a canvas hung from the roof of the old Palais Croisette. It quickly became a major meeting point for buyers and sellers from all over the world.

• Jane Campion became the first female director to win the Palme d'Or in 1993 for The Piano.

• In 1997 a "Palme des Palmes" — a super-version of the Palme d'Or best film prize — was awarded to Ingmar Bergman for the 50th festival. The Swedish director did not appear.

• British films triumphed at the festival in 2006 with veteran Ken Loach's war-themed The Wind That Shakes the Barley winning the Palme d'Or and newcomer Andrea Arnold picking up the Jury Prize for Red Road.

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