The Cannes Film Festival has expelled Danish director Lars Von Trier for jokingly calling himself a Nazi and Hitler sympathizer.

The expulsion, the first in the history of the world's biggest cinema showcase, followed a meeting of the festival's board of directors.

"Using the Cannes Film Festival to say such intolerable things in front of the media is to tarnish its image," said festival president Gilles Jacob.

Von Trier told Reuters that he was shocked by the decision, which he believed stemmed from the fact that his meaning had been misunderstood.

The director was in Cannes promoting his latest film, "Melancholia", which competes for the festival's top honor, the Golden Palm.

The winner will be announced on May 22, but even if Von Trier's film wins, he will not be allowed to collect the award at the ceremony.