Cannes Film Festival: Léa Seydoux is stunning in sequins as she joins glamorous Heidi Klum, Eva Green, Greta Gerwig and Meryl Streep at the star-studded launch of her new film Second Act on the first day of the 77th annual event

Tuesday evening was all about Léa Seydoux as her latest film was given the honour of opening the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera. 

The actress, who takes a starring role in new release The Second Act (Le Deuxième Acte), was supported by a host of stars as the worlds of film, music and fashion descended on the resort town for two weeks of red carpet celebrations. 

Supermodel Heidi Klum, Léa's French compatriot Eva Green, director Greta Gerwig and Oscar winning Hollywood legend Meryl Streep were among those on hand to toast the film's official launch. 

But it was Léa's night and the actress stunned in a sweeping silver sequinned gown after joining the new film's cast and crew on the red carpet. 

She completed the look with a pair of matching silver heels, while a tasteful choker necklace served as her only notable accessory.  

Ensuring she claimed her own share of the spotlight, supermodel Heidi turned heads in a deep red evening dress with a distinctive train and just enough length to show off her toned legs. 

The German model needed the help of two male assistants to carry the lengthy t Klumrain as she made her way along the Cannes Croisette ahead of Tuesday's screening. 

Elsewhere Eva Green stood out in an in an intricate layered gown as she posed for red carpet photos shortly after her arrival. 

The actress pared back her accessories on the night, while her hair was pulled into a dramatic bouffant that commanded almost as much attention as her outfit. 

Not to be outdone, this year's Cannes Jury President Greta Gerwig shimmed in a plunging crimson gown complete with thigh-high split as she mingled with her fellow jury members, among them Killers Of The Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone. 

Adding a touch of old school Hollywood glamour to proceedings, Meryl Streep opted for simple white evening gown on what transpired to be special night for the Oscar-winning actress. 

The ceremony opened with the presentation of an honorary Palme d'Or for Meryl  and the unveiling of Greta Gerwig's jury, as the French Riviera spectacular kicked off a potentially volatile 77th edition.

A 10-day stream of stars began flowing down the Cannes red carpet with the opening night film, The Second Act, a French comedy starring Lea, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard.

They play squabbling actors filming a movie directed by an artificial intelligence.

The festival's first lengthy standing ovation, though, went to Meryl, who was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or during Tuesday's opening ceremony.

After Juliette Binoche introduced her, the actress alternatively shook her head, fanned herself and danced while the crowd thunderously cheered.

'I'm just so grateful that you haven't gotten sick of my face and you haven't gotten off of the train,' she said, who soon thereafter declared Cannes officially open with Juliette.

'My mother, who is usually right about everything, said to me: 'Meryl, my darling, you'll see. It all goes so fast. So fast', added Meryl.

'And it has, and it does. Except for my speech, which is too long.' 

The reception was nearly as rapturous for Gerwig, the first American female filmmaker to serve as president of the Cannes jury that will decide the festival's top award, the Palme d'Or.

Thierry Fremaux, Cannes' artistic director, on Monday praised her as "the ideal director" for Cannes, given her work across arthouse and studio film and her interest in cinema history.

And, Fremaux said: 'We very much liked Barbie.' 

Helena Christensen, Taylor Hill and Shanina Shaik were also among the glitterati who descended on the iconic croisette during Tuesday evening's launch.  
Danish model Helena, 55, proved she is still the leader of the pack as she took to the red carpet in a stunning white Grecian gown with a flowing cape, which perfectly hugged her svelte physique. 

She wore her brunette locks in a sleek up do and accessorised with a pair of drop earrings and a matching necklace, while opting for a glamorous coat of make-up including a subtle smokey-eye.

Hot on her heels was American model Taylor Hill, who looked incredible in a form-fitting white dress with glitzy black detailing across the top of the garment. 

Taylor, 28, wore her brunette locks in a sleek 1920s style crop, while also opting for glamorous make-up for the occasion. 

The dress featured a sizzling slit up the leg and she completed her look with a huge statement necklace and a pair of stud earrings.

Meanwhile, Shanina ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived wearing a slinky red dress, which boasted a dramatic train and was accessorised with with a silver choker. 

The Australian model wore her dark locks slicked back to accentuate her pretty features, while adding soft touches of make-up in a bronze pallet a well as a pair of studded earrings.

In the days to come, Cannes will premiere George Miller's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Francis Ford Coppola's self-financed Megalopolis and anticipated new films from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Kevin Costner.

But much of the drama surrounding this year's Cannes has been off screen.

After French actor Judith Godreche earlier this year accused two film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager, the French film industry has been dealing with arguably its defining £MeToo moment.

On Wednesday, Godreche will premiere her short Moi Aussi.

Asked about MeToo expanding in France, Greta told reporters in Cannes on Tuesday that it is progress.

'I think people in the community of movies telling us stories and trying to change things for the better is only good,' she said.

'I have seen substantive change in the American film community, and I think it's important that we continue to expand that conversation. So I think it's only moving everything in the correct direction. Keep those lines of communication open.' 

Greta, coming off the success of Barbie, is president of the jury that will decide Cannes' top award, the Palme d'Or.

Joining Gerwig on the jury is Lily Gladstone, star of Killers Of The Flower Moon, French actress Eva Green, Spanish filmmaker JA Bayona, French actor Omar Sy, Lebanese actor and director Nadine Labaki, Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino.

'I thought I just got over my impostor syndrome last year,' said the Oscar-nominated Gladstone. '"But I'll start all over again.' 

The jurors were asked how the many real-world concerns outside the festival might affect their deliberations.

One film in competition, Ali Abbasi's The Apprentice, stars Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump.

And Labaki was asked if the war in Gaza might be on her mind.

'I truly believe that one of the tools to really change something in the situation we all live in right now, which is a situation I think is not that great, is really through art and through cinema,' said Labaki.

'It may propose a more tolerant way of seeing things and seeing each other as human beings.' 

Filmmakers, Favino said, play the important role of reminding the world of where it can find beauty.

'This is why I decided that I could be here without feeling guilty as a human being,' said Favino. 'Because if we look for beauty, then we might look for peace.' 

Earlier in the day, Meryl Streep was the epitome of chic as she attended a photocall ahead of Cannes Film Festival's opening ceremony on Tuesday evening. 

The Oscar winning actress, 74, who will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the 77th annual event, wore a white blazer and matching trousers, teamed with a blue striped shirt.

She elevated her height in silver stilettos, while acessorising with a straw hat and oversized sunglasses.

Meryl appeared in high spirts as she waved to onlookers, ahead of receiving the honorary Palme d'Or award at the opening night of the festival.

In a statement, Meryl shared with THR: 'I am immeasurably honored to receive the news of this prestigious award. To win a prize at Cannes, for the international community of artists, has always represented the highest achievement in the art of filmmaking. 

'To stand in the shadow of those who have previously been honored is humbling and thrilling in equal part. I so look forward to coming to France to thank everyone in person this May!'

The last time she appeared at the festival was back in 1989, when she won the Best Actress award for her work in Fred Schepisi's Evil Angels a Cry in the Dark.

Preparation for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival is well underway, with Anya Taylor-Joy and her Furiosa co-star Chris Hemsworth ready to make an entrance at the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening. 

Hours before the 77th film festival kicks off, Anya wowed in a glamorous semi-sheer dress as she departed her hotel. 

The actress oozed elegance in the racy calf-split garment, adorned with flower petal motifs. 

She added a stylish straw hat to her ensemble, draping loosely behind her back to shield her face from the sunshine.

Anya elevated her frame with stylish white strappy heels and waved to fans in the distance.

Meanwhile, actor Chris looked French-chic in a tailored blue and white suit and casual T-shirt.

He was seen mingling with fans and taking selfies at the Marriott hotel while he roamed about the area before his red carpet appearance.