The 65th Cannes film festival has wrapped up its competition screenings on Saturday as the Mississippi river film "Mud" by Jeff Nichols had its premiere as the last of the 22 films selected for the Palme d'Or race.

Cannes film competition heating up

Cast members of US film "Mud" arrive on the red carpet for its premiere at the 65th Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, May 26, 2012. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)
Starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon and echoing Mark Twain and his novel of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", the film tells the story of a teenage boy wondering the meaning of life in a tough world.

It was given immediate applause at Saturday morning's premiere, while the other hottest contenders for the coveted Palme d'Or top prize include "Amour"(Love) by Michael Haneke, "Beyond the hills" by Cristian Mungiu and Jacques Audiard's "Rust and Bone".

All prizes will be revealed at a glamorous closing ceremony of the 12-day movie showcase on the French Riviera on Sunday night.

 VietNamNet/Xinhuanet