For its 65th anniversary, the Festival de Cannes has chosen Marilyn Monroe to adorn its official poster. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Monroe's death, and Cannes has selected her as the icon of the 2012 Festival.

"Fifty years after her death, Marilyn is still a major figure in world cinema, an eternal icon, whose grace, mystery and power of seduction remain resolutely contemporary," the festival said in a statement.

"Each of her screen appearances sparks the imagination. The Festival poster captures Marilyn by surprise in an intimate moment where myth meets reality – a moving tribute to the anniversary of her passing, which coincides with the Festival anniversary."

The festival continued noting that Monroe "enchants us with this promising gesture: a seductively blown kiss."

"The Festival is a temple of glamour and Marilyn is its perfect incarnation," they said. "Their coming together symbolises the ideal of simplicity and elegance."

For more information, go to //www.festival-cannes.fr