Early reviews for '' The Tree of Life '' were polarized . After being met with both boos and applause at its premiere at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival , the film received mixed early reviews . It went on to be awarded the Palme d'Or . Two of its producers , Bill Pohlad and Sarah Green , accepted the prize on behalf of the reclusive Malick . '' The Tree of Life '' is the first American film to win the Palme d'Or since '' Fahrenheit 9/11 '' in 2004 . The head of the jury , Robert De Niro , said it was difficult to choose a winner , but '' The Tree of Life '' " ultimately fit the bill " . De Niro explained , " It had the size , the importance , the intention , whatever you want to call it , that seemed to fit the prize . " The film won the 2011 FIPRESCI ( International Federation of Film Critics ) Big Prize for the Best Film Of the Year . The award was presented on September 16 , during the opening ceremony of the 59th San Sebastián International Film Festival . Malick released a statement of thanks for the award . On November 28 , it was announced that the film had won the Gotham Award for Best Feature , shared with '' Beginners ''
2011 Cannes Film Festival
2011 Cannes Film Festival
The Tree of Life (film)