Kelly sent the organizers of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival a rough cut of '' Southland Tales '' on DVD assuming that it would not be accepted . Much to his surprise , they loved it and wanted the film entered in competition for the Palme d'Or . He stopped editing the film and was also unable to complete all of the visual effects in time for the screening . Kelly 's film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2006 with a length of 160 minutes . Kelly describes the negative reaction at Cannes as a " very painful experience on a lot of levels " but ultimately felt that the film " was better off because of it " . After the film 's festival release , '' Southland Tales '' was purchased by Sony Pictures
2006 Cannes Film Festival
2006 Cannes Film Festival
Southland Tales