The 79th Cannes Film Festival has commenced on the French Riviera, featuring 12 days of world premieres and culminating on 23 May with the presentation of the prestigious Palme d’Or. The festival opened with the French period-comedy The Electric Kiss and an honorary Palme d’Or was awarded to Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson.
Hollywood Blockbusters Largely Absent
Hollywood blockbusters are largely absent this year, with Cannes artistic director Thierry Frémaux attributing this to industry reshaping, including Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Despite the lack of major studio films, Cannes continues to be a significant platform for Oscar contenders, with distributor Neon backing the past six Palme d’Or winners and having a substantial presence in this year's competition.
Jury and Star-Studded Attendees
The jury, led by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook and including members like Demi Moore and Chloé Zhao, will decide the awards. Numerous stars such as Kristen Stewart, Barbra Streisand, and Cate Blanchett are expected to attend, adding glamour to the event.
