Jane Campion gets top award at Cannes

Jane Campion at Cannes. Photo/AP

Decorated New Zealand director Jane Campion has been presented with the prestigious Carrosse d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Campion was honoured by her peers at the opening of the of the Directors' Fortnight on Thursday, following an illustrious list of previous recipients including Clint Eastwood.

Australian-based Campion is the only woman to have won the coveted Palme d'Or - or best film prize - for her 1993 drama The Piano, while she also won the short film prize with Peel in 1986.

The Carrosse d'Or, or "Golden Coach", is a tribute by the Film Directors' Society to reward "innovative qualities, courage and independent-mindedness" in directing.

The 59-year-old, president of the short film jury at this year's festival, was given a rousing ovation as she collected the award.

She was introduced as "one of the few film makers capable of reflecting the more difficult and subtle emotions" and dedicated the award to the many directors who inspired her and their films.

"The passion I feel towards them made me want to be a director," she said.

The only other woman to win the award since it was created 2002 was French director, Agnes Varda in 2010.

- AAP