Cannes: Stars walk the red carpet as festival kicks off

Celebrities and stars of cinema hit the red carpet as the 68th Cannes Film Festival officially opened on Wednesday (13 May).

Famous faces, including Sienna Miller, Jake Gyllenhaal and Sophie Marceau, arrived on the red carpet with the rest of this year's jury, led by filmmaker brothers Joel and Ethan Coen.

Natalie Portman was also spotted on the red carpet alongside her husband, French dancer Benjamin Millepied. Last year's best actress winner, Julianne Moore, was also in town to collect her award for Maps to the Stars, having been unable to attend in 2014.

The festival will run until 24 May when the coveted Palme d'Or prize will be awarded to one of 19 films competing for top honours this year.

Among the contenders for the award, 2012 jury president, Nanni Moretti, is in competition with Mia Madre as well as Palme d'Or laureate Gus van Sant with The Sea of Trees and Todd Haynes with Carol.

Hollywood is pitching in by holding the world premiere for Mad Max: Fury Road on Thursday, and there will be plenty of other Hollywood and world stars on the red carpet.