Ken Loach

A leading figure of British social realism, Ken Loach was born in 1936, in Nuneaton, England. Loach began his career in the 1960s, working in television before transitioning to feature films, for which he has become known for his commitment to addressing pressing social and political issues. His films often explore themes related to class struggle, inequality, and the human condition. Some of his most notable works include Kes (1969), voted the seventh greatest film of the 20th century by the British Film Institute, The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006), which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and I, Daniel Blake (2016), which once again earned him the Palme d'Or. Loach is arguably the most successful director in the history of Cannes, having been distinguished multiple times with other awards such as the Jury Prize (Hidden Agenda in 1990, Raining Stones in 1993 and The Angels' Share in 2012), the FIPRESCI Prize (Black Jack in 1979, Riff-Raff in 1991 and Land and Freedom in 1995) and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Land and Freedom in 1995 and Looking for Eric in 2009).