In pictures: Cameras poised as Hollywood stars descend on Cannes

Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011 12:01

THE world of film makes its annual pilgrimage to the south of France today when the 64th Cannes Film Festival gets under way.

• Workers roll out the famous red carpet today

Plenty of big Hollywood names are expected in the glitzy resort with Pirates of the Caribbean stars Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz set to appear alongside stars including Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman and Jodie Foster.

• The French Riviera town which is about to be taken over by the movie industry

Midnight in Paris, the new film by veteran director Woody Allen, will kickstart the festival tonight with its premiere screening.

Some of the film's stars including Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Adrien Brody and Michael Sheen are expected to walk down the red carpet at the opening ceremony tonight in the south of France.

• US actor Robert De Niro is in Cannes as President of the Jury this year

The winner of the annual festival's main prize, the Palme d'Or, will be decided this year by a jury headed by Robert De Niro and including Uma Thurman and Jude Law.

• The official festival poster featuring screen legend Faye Dunaway

• Models pose on the beach as part of the launch

Only one British film, We Need To Talk About Kevin, is in the running.

It stars Oscar winner Tilda Swinton and is based on the 2003 novel by Lionel Shriver about a high school massacre.

Its Glasgow-born director Lynne Ramsay has enjoyed success at Cannes before with some of her earlier films including Ratcatcher and Morvern Callar.

• Salma Hayek in Cannes today for the premiere of Puss in Boots

The festival runs until May 22.