The 52nd Cannes Film Festival was held from 12 to 23 May 1999. Canadian filmmaker, actor and author David Cronenberg was the Jury President. The Palme d'Or went to the French–Belgian film Rosetta by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.

Rosetta is a 1999 Belgian-French film written and directed by the Dardenne brothers. The film follows the story of a teenager, residing in a caravan park with her alcoholic mother. In her quest for survival and a better life, she tirelessly seeks employment in order to break free from her tumultuous living situation, hoping to leave behind the caravan and her dysfunctional mother for a more stable and secure life.