An Israeli filmmaker has won a prestigious award in Cannes for his quest to explore early Christianity.

Simcha Jacobovici won the award for science and information at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards for his film, The Resurrection Tomb Mystery.

In the film, Mr Jacobovici probed under a block of flats to find an ancient burial cave in Jerusalem by sending in cameras on robotic arms to examine the remains, including what he claims to be the earliest cross ever found.

He claims his findings support the theory that another tomb located just 60 metres away, is the tomb of Jesus.