Arne Edvard Sucksdorff was a Swedish film director, considered one of cinema's greatest documentary filmmakers. He was particularly celebrated for his visually poetic and scenic nature documentaries. His works include Pojken i trädet and the Academy Award-winning Människor i Stad.

The 7th Cannes Film Festival was held from 25 March to 9 April 1954. With Jean Cocteau as president of the jury, the Grand Prix went to the Gate of Hell by Teinosuke Kinugasa. The festival opened with Le Grand Jeu by Robert Siodmak. This was the last festival with a predominantly French jury.