Cannes 2012: Film Festival Attendees Fete Prize Winners with a Post-Ceremony Soiree

CANNES -- The Cannes Film Festival ended its 12-day 65th birthday celebration on Sunday night with a dinner and party following the fest's traditional closing ceremonies. Palme d'Or winner, Amour director Michael Haneke joined the world's film industry to fete his second Cannes win.

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"What can I say? I'm happy. It's always a surprise - a nice surprise," Haneke told THR of his second Palme d'Or win after 2009's The White Ribbon. 

"I'm very happy with my jury," Nanni Moretti told THR after the ceremony. After jury duty, the Italian director will work on a new script, but he is keeping its subject under wraps. "I won't even tell my own son what it's about!" he said in his native Italian. "It's been one big hurricane of interviews and text messages," Best Actor prize winner Mads Mikkelsen told THR, adding: "I'm very very proud and I'm very emotional. I felt very humbled."

Mikkelsen was all smiles at the cocktail party despite having to board a plane to Bucharest just a few hours later, where he'll start shooting The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman. "The film is awesome, so I can't wait to start shooting it," he said.

So how does his Best Actor nod compare to other awards? "It's the Oscars for 14 days," he said of the Cannes festival.

Cinefondation and short films Jury president Jean-Pierre Dardenne arrived early and was courteous enough to warn friends to avoid a large puddle just outside the entrance.

Juror Diane Kruger stole a kiss from beau Joshua Jackson before heading to a seated VIP section with fellow jurors Emmanuelle Devos and Jean Paul Gaultier. Gaultier joked with actress Virginie Elfira and friends, "I was trying to pull an Angelina Jolie!" as he lifted up the long black skirt he was wearing as everyone laughed.

Gaultier also chatted with Kylie Minogue, complete with mid-conversation musical interlude. Minogue was in town after presenting Leos Carax' Holy Motors in Competition and also working the stage at amfAR's gala dinner and auction.

Champagne wasn't lacking at the soiree where guests also enjoyed gourmet fare like mini lobster-filled tarts, stuffed zucchini flowers, tomato gaspacho and very French foie-gras stuffed macarons.

Despite the rainy night, guests enjoyed the relaxed evening.

Plus, said Mikkelsen, "I love the rain. It makes people go inside and watch films, so it's great."