The spotlight is on: welcome to Cannes. There is a special air on the French Riviera today, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Credit is due to the official start of the 79th edition of the prestigious film festival, which was inaugurated by Gong Li and Jane Fonda after the kermis’ first red carpet in the late afternoon.
Inaugural evening, yes, but the focus was also on the film that opened this year’s Cannes, namely Pierre Salvadori’s La Vénus électrique with Gilles Lellouche and Anaïs Demoustier, big stars in front of photographers as well as inside the Grand Théâtre Lumière. So was the director of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson, who received the Palme d’Or for Lifetime Achievement from the hands of “his” trusty Frodo, Elijah Wood.
And then this year’s jury, chaired by Park Chan-wook and composed of such names as Ruth Negga, Laura Wandel, Diego Céspedes, Isaach De Bankolé, Paul Laverty, Chloé Zhao and Stellan Skarsgård. But especially by one of the undisputed divas of world cinema, who lit up the Cannes red carpet more than usual.
We are talking about Demi Moore, the most anticipated character of this 79th edition of the prestigious film festival. And if the siren core is one of the season’s trends, the actress embodied it to perfection, giving it an all-Hollywood uniqueness. In fact, Demi chose a custom sequin dress signed Jacquemus, champagne-colored and strapless: a riot of iridescent light declined in a couture key, with structured corset, emphasized hips and silhouette enhanced to the max thanks to the sinuous line. The actress further illuminated the red carpet with a sumptuous diamond necklace, a high jewelry creation by Chopard.
A first night perhaps a bit dull, according to many on social media, but that does not rule out twists and turns over the next few days. Because Cannes is always Cannes. And even today the arrival of two big names in cinema proved it. We are talking about the return of James Franco, very elegant in a classic suit with bow tie, who arrived in the company of his inseparable girlfriend Izabel Pakzad. But also an ever charming Louis Garrel, in a tailored suit by Dior. Two high notes in the first of the many nights of Cannes and its Festival, which has now officially begun.
[📸 Snapix]
