France: The Cannes red carpet was always going to be starry for the opening of the film festival, but this year there seemed to be more celebrities on the French Riviera than in Tinseltown.
Cannes is notoriously strict when it comes to dress code, and last year a brief scandal broke out when women were told they had to wear high heels to climb the steps to the main venue.
The festival later denied this was a set rule for the red carpet, where black tie or evening dress are required. As if to make a point, actress Susan Sarandon oozed cool as she showed up in a suit and flats.
She is in Cannes to take part in a series of talks on women in the film industry and on their depiction on screen, with "Thelma and Louise" co-star Geena Davis as well as Salma Hayek and Jodie Foster.
Susan Sarandon
Mallika Sherawat looked stunning in a Georges Hobeika Couture gown teamed with a diamond necklace and simple hair and make up.
Mallika Sherawat
Kirsten Dunst, who is on the official festival jury, showed up earlier in the day in a gorgeous yellow dress, and the trend didn't stop there.
Kirsten Dunst, Vanessa Paradis, George Miller and Valeria Gonino
She changed into a red floral number for the opening night of the festival, but both Jessica Chastain and Anna Kendrick walked the red carpet in bright canary yellow evening gowns.
Kirsten Dunst
Jessica Chastain with Vincent Lindon
Anna Kendrick
Justin Timberlake, who is voicing a part in DreamWorks new animation film "Trolls", caused shrieks of delight as he signed autographs.
Justin Timberlake
Chastain also gave a moment to fans as did the belle of the ball Kristen Stewart with her bleached blond hair slicked back and bright red lips, in a sheer black gown.
Stewart has won rave reviews for her performance in Woody Allen's "Cafe Society" which is opening the 12-day jamboree.
Kristen Stewart with Woody Allen
Blake Lively, who also stars in the film, showed off a slight baby bump in a sequined gold gown with a small train, revelling in the fact that the forecast rainstorm did not dampen her walk up the red carpet.
"Cannes is one of the most iconic film festivals. It's very special. It's not raining!" she told reporters.
Blake Lively
Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, Naomi Watts, Gael Garcia Bernal, Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi, Jesse Eisenberg and Vanessa Paradis also set flashguns firing as they walked up the red carpet.
Just hours after Woody Allen said he wouldn't be opposed to a film featuring a love story between an older women and younger man if he "had a good story" -- it fell into his lap.
As master of ceremonies, French actor Laurent Lafitte, 42, opened the festival, French actress Catherine Deneuve, 72 serenely walked onto stage.
Without a word, she turned to Lafitte for a prolonged kiss, much to the delight of the crowd who gave a standing ovation to the queen of French film.
Laurent Lafitte and Catherine Deneuve
