Italian director Francesco Rosi won the Palme d'Or for The Mattei Affair jointly with Elio Petri's The Working Class Goes To Heaven in 1972. The win, he said, came after his status as a director had already been assured, with a string of top awards behind him, including the Berlin Silver Bear and the Venice Golden Lion.

What did it feel like to win the Palme d'Or'
The emotions were the ones you feel around any victory.

How did you celebrate'
With my wife, the film's producer Franco Cristaldi, with friends, with Elio Petri, Gian Maria Volonte, and naturally with Cannes' great director Gilles Jacob and his guests.

Did it make it easier to attract funding for subsequent projects'
I believe that it contributed to the trust that I had already earned from my producer Cristaldi, and from others that came after, to let me make films that I wanted and how I wanted.

Which director would you give an all-time Palme d'Or to'
I believe no director merits a Palme d'Or for all their films, but certainly Federico Fellini is one of those who would have deserved one for most of his films.

Where do you keep your Palme d'Or'
Among my books and other prizes.

What have been the most important shifts in the industry during your career'
The ever-increasing number of artistically valid films that unforeseeably appear from countries where previously there was no market.

How do you see the role of festivals changing'
I think we are always giving more importance to the market.

What are your hopes and fears for the future'
Even if it is unpredictable, cinema is the same as always: with a good story, good actors, a good director and good cinematography you can always make a masterpiece, or at least a film that's capable of beating films that use big means, stars of the moment and the most advanced technology - whether it's seen on the big screen or on a mobile.