Israeli bible comedy triumphs at Cannes

An Israeli director is celebrating after his comedy about two academics at the Hebrew University won an award at the Cannes Film festival.

Joseph Cedar was named this year's recipient of the best screenplay award on Sunday, although he had already left France by the time the prize was awarded.

His winning film, Footnote, follows the rivalry between a father and son who both work as Talmudic scholars at Jerusalem's Hebrew University.

Mr Cedar, 42, grew up in Jerusalem after his family moved from New York when he was a child. He studied theatre and philosophy at Hebrew University, then attended New York University's prestigious film school.

Footnote is his fourth work. His Lebanon-set 2007 film, Beaufort, was shortlisted for the Best Foreign Film award at the Academy Awards.

Watch the trailer for footnote here