Dheepan wins top award at Cannes Film Festival

'Dheepan' has won the top prize at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, the Palme d'Or.

The Jacques Audiard-directed drama, which centres on refugees fleeing post-civil war Sri Lanka for a life in France, surprisingly claimed the coveted award after being selected by a judging panel led by acclaimed US filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen.

The French director, whose previous credits include 'A Prophet' and 'Rust and Bone', told the BBC: "To receive a prize from the Coen brothers is something pretty exceptional. I'm very touched."

Meanwhile, Joel Coen said: "This isn't a jury of film critics. This is a jury of artists who are looking at the work."

Elsewhere, 'Son of Saul' - a Holocaust drama - won the Grand Prix prize, which is essentially the runner-up award, while Vincent Lindon won Best Actor for his role in Stephane Brize's 'The Measure of a Man'.and Rooney Mara and Emmanuelle Bercot shared the Best Actress gong.

'Son of Saul' was directed by Hungarian newcomer Laszlo Nemes, who reflected: "This continent is still haunted by this subject."

Top award winners from the 68th Cannes Film Festival:

Palme D'Or:

'Dheepan'

Grand Prix:

'Son of Saul'

Jury Prize:

'The Lobster'

Best Director:

Hou Hsiao-hsien

Best Actor:

Vincent Lindon

Best Actress:

Rooney Mara and Emmanuelle Bercot

Best Screenplay:

Michel Franco, 'Chronic'

Camera d'Or (Best first feature):

'La Tierra Y la Sombra'