French actress-director Emmanuelle Bercot [Photo: agencies]

French actress-director Emmanuelle Bercot's "La Tete haute," starring Catherine Deneuve, has been selected to open the Cannes Film Festival on May 13th.

This marks the first time a film from a female director will launch the annual event.

Organizers of the Cannes Festival have been criticized for not putting forward more female-directed films.

Emmanuelle Bercot says she's honored her film has been chosen to launch this year's Cannes Festival.

"I'm very happy and honored that my film was chosen to compete here at the festival, which is one of the most important film festivals in the world. And to be here with Catherine is great."

"La Tete Haute" tells the story of a juvenile delinquent's path through childhood.

The rest of this year's run-down for Cannes will be announced on Thursday.

This year's Festival runs May 13th to the 24th.