An earlier, longer, work-in-progress version of the film was rejected for competition by the Cannes Film Festival, which offered that cut of "Mr. Nobody" an out-of-competition berth. Producer Philippe Godeau turned that down. The decision by the Cannes Film Festival not to exhibit the film created a national controversy. Eventually, the studio held the film's world premiere at the 66th Venice International Film Festival on 12 September 2009. Six days later, "Mr. Nobody" screened as a special presentation during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Additionally, the film was screened at the Sitges Film Festival and the Stockholm International Film Festival before its theatrical release. "Mr. Nobody" had its American premiere on 25 June 2011, at the Los Angeles Film Festival, nearly two years since its original debut. The Consul General of Belgium, Geert Criel, held a second United States screening of "Mr. Nobody" on 21 December 2011, at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.