Cannes opens with Peter Jackson tribute, Park Chan-wook jury

The 79th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday on the French Riviera, with jury member Demi Moore commanding attention in a series of Jacquemus looks that set the tone for the fashion spectacle ahead.

Moore's Three-Act Fashion Statement

Moore, 63, appeared in three distinct outfits across the festival's opening day, all by French designer Jacquemus. For the jury photocall, she wore a rainbow polka-dot strapless dress from the label's Fall 2026 collection, bringing what fashion observers described as full Riviera glamour to the Croisette. She later changed into a custom silver sequined Jacquemus gown for the opening ceremony premiere of Pierre Salvadori's "La Vénus Électrique" (The Electric Kiss), its liquid-like finish catching the Cannes lights. The gown was paired with Chopard Haute Joaillerie diamonds. Earlier in the day, Moore had attended the jury dinner in Gucci.x+6

Park Chan-wook Leads a Politically Charged Jury

South Korean director Park Chan-wook, the first Korean filmmaker to preside over the Cannes jury, set an early tone for the 12-day festival, urging his fellow jurors to "argue sufficiently" rather than shy away from debate. His panel includes Moore, Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, actress Ruth Negga — who wore green Dior Haute Couture by Jonathan Anderson to the opening ceremony — screenwriter Paul Laverty, actor Stellan Skarsgård, director Laura Wandel, filmmaker Diego Céspedes, and actor Isaach de Bankolé. The jury will select from 22 competition films for the Palme d'Or when the festival concludes on May 23.vulture+4

At the opening press conference, politics took center stage, with Jane Fonda declaring that "cinema has always represented an act of defiance". According to Variety, the ceremony also marked the return of James Franco to the public spotlight after years away from the industry.variety+1

Peter Jackson Honored as Festival Opens

The evening's centerpiece was the presentation of an honorary Palme d'Or to New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, who was celebrated 25 years after his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy debuted. Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in the trilogy, presented the award at the Grand Lumière Theatre. Jackson told the audience he didn't see himself as a typical "Palme guy," according to The Hollywood Reporter.hollywoodreporter+1

Other red carpet arrivals included Heidi Klum and Alia Bhatt, who posted images from opening night on Instagram. The festival runs through May 23 in what organizers have framed as a showcase for auteur cinema amid a noticeable retreat of Hollywood studio productions from the lineup.instagram+3