The Cannes Festival ( / kæn / ; French : Festival de Cannes ) , named until 2002 as the International Film Festival ( Festival international du film ) and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes , France , which previews new films of all genres , including documentaries , from all around the world . Founded in 1946 , the invitation - only festival is held annually ( usually in May ) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès .

Question: when does the cannes film festival take place
Answer: usually in May