'Dheepan,' Vincent Lindon, Rooney Mara, Emmanuelle Bercot winners at Cannes

French film 'Dheepan' claimed Cannes Palme d'Or, as Vincent Lindon, Rooney Mara, Emmanuelle Bercot bagged best actor awards at Cannes Film Festival.

The jury surprised the audience by picking French director Jacques Audiard's drama, which centers on Sri Lankan refugees fleeing who flee post-civil for a life in France, for the top honour, the BBC reports.

Audiard said that it was "pretty exceptional" to receive a prize from the Coen brothers and he was very touched.

Joel Coen said that the jury wasn't of film critics, but of artists who focused on the "work."

68th Cannes Film Festival top awards include:

Palme D'Or: Dheepan

Grand Prix: Son of Saul

Jury Prize: The Lobster

Best Director: Hou Hsiao-hsien

Best Actor: Vincent Lindon

Best Actress: Rooney Mara and Emmanuelle Bercot

Best Screenplay: Michel Franco (Chronic)

Camera d'Or (Best first feature): La Tierra Y la Sombra

19 films competed at the awards this year, but several were ruled out of competition, including Charlize Theron starrer 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and Pixar's 'Inside Out.