Cannes 2014: Salma Hayek Turns Spotlight on Missing Nigerian Girls at Red Carpet Premiere

Salma Hayek has no trouble attracting attention, but the savvy star used her moment in the glare of the world's media at the Cannes Film Festival, to highlight the campaign for the release of 300 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram.

Arriving for the out of competition "tribute to animated films", a special screening of extracts from Khalil Gibran's The Prophet, the star held up a sign reading '#Bring Back Our Girls.'

Proving there's a place for politics even on the red carpet, the actress managed to bring something meaningful to the parade of beautiful people, as she publicly pledged her support for the safe return of the Nigerian schoolgirls.

French actress Julie Gayet also made the most of the spotlight by holding up a sign in support of the abducted girls.

But Gayet was very much under the glare of the media for very different reasons.

The French actress was at the centre of a political storm in January, when it was revealed by Closer magazine that she was the alleged mistress of French President Francois Hollande.

The actress is said to have ended her affair with the President after it became public, following revelations of their alleged secret trysts at an apartment near the Elysee Palace.

The president's long term partner Valerie Trierweiller was later hospitalised.

It's the first time Gayet has been seen out in the public eye five months since the furore, apart from a brief appearance at the Cesars Awards where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Wearing a black gown and joined by friend, singer Mika, she seemed unphased, as she focused attention on the more pressing concern of the missing Nigerian girls.

Meanwhile, it was left to the likes of Freida Pinto and Eva Longoria to bring the glamour quotient to the forefront at the prestigious film festival, as they each took to the red carpet in stunning gowns.

The Desperate Housewives actress looked resplendent in a figure-hugging, strapless mermaid gown, adorned with pearl-like beads, as she attended the premiere for the biography of French designer, Yves Saint Laurent.

Pinto drew admirers, wearing an extravagant nude toned Michael Kors gown with a feather embellishment and shimmering sequins.

Earlier in the day the two actresses, who are ambassadors for L'Oreal Paris, took part in a photo shoot for the cosmetic brand, with Longoria tweeting about it to her followers: "Having a fun photo shoot with @LorealParis with @fridapinto and @natashapoly,' she wrote.

Pinto posted a picture of the three of them to her Instagram with the caption: "Beauty in diversity! That is a little part of our L'Oreal family."

In the midst of the Hollywood excess, you can rely on Jennifer Lawrence to bring everyone back down to earth, as the star appeared in Cannes for a low-key photo-call for her new film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.

Wearing a white two-piece skirt outfit with a picturesque dreamscape scene imprinted on the front of her top, the 23-year-old Oscar winner brought her own unique, edgy style to the Riviera, carryign the quirky look off like only Jennifer Lawrence can.

The 67<sup>th Cannes Film Festival continues until May 25.