Colpi directed the 1961 film "Une aussi longue absence", which is well known for sharing the Palme d'Or at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival with "Viridiana", directed by Luis Buñuel. "Une aussi longue absence" was written by Marguerite Duras, featured Alida Valli in a major role, and included music by Georges Delerue. It also won the Louis Delluc Prize in 1960. His second feature "Codine" was also screening in competition at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival, where Colpi won the prize for Best Screenplay.