In a surprise decision, the Cannes jury on Sunday split the best actress award between up-and-coming Hollywood star Rooney Mara and France's Emmanuelle Bercot, bypassing bookies' favourite Cate Blanchett.

Mara took the prize for her part in 1950s lesbian love story "Carol" starring Blanchett, while Bercot was awarded for her part in "Mon roi" (My King), in which a woman looks back on a destructive relationship with a deceitful but charming boyfriend.