"The Descendants" also won the screenplay award for director Alexander Payne and his co-writers, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.

WSJ: 'Artist' Wins Best Picture at Spirit Awards

Alexander Payne, who sat on last year's Palme d'Or jury, is in competition this year with his film Nebraska, about a father and son trekking from the state of Montana to Nebraska to claim some prize money.

BBC: Cannes Film Festival line-up is announced

In 1996, Will and I were turned away from a screening of Alexander Payne's "Citizen Ruth" (we had arrived late) and after much grumbling, settled on a consolation choice: a little-hyped Australian film about a troubled pianist.

CNN: Redford and me: Confessions of a Sundance stargazer