The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has officially kicked off in the stunning coastal city of Cannes on the French Riviera! Over the next 12 days, the festival’s 78th edition promises a dazzling mix of world cinema, glamorous red carpet moments, star-studded premieres, and exciting screenings—basically a dream come true for movie lovers everywhere.
The festival opened on Tuesday, May 13, with a star-packed ceremony that grabbed plenty of attention. This year’s jury is a powerhouse group including Hong Sang-soo, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Alba Rohrwacher, Dieudo Hamadi, Payal Kapadia, Leïla Slimani, and Carlos Reygadas, all led by jury president Juliette Binoche. They made a united and elegant entrance, walking hand-in-hand down the red carpet.
On the romantic front, Daniela Pick and Quentin Tarantino turned heads by getting cozy and sharing sweet moments for the cameras. But that was just the start—here are the top highlights from Day 1 you shouldn’t miss:
Leonardo DiCaprio honors Robert De Niro with the honorary Palme d’Or
Leo took the stage to hand over the prestigious Palme d’Or to legendary actor Robert De Niro. The iconic duo shared a heartfelt hug as De Niro accepted the award, telling the crowd, “Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we celebrate the strength and commitment of art at this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
Quentin Tarantino surprises fans with a dramatic festival opener
Quentin declared the festival “officially open” in true Tarantino style, to loud cheers from the crowd. Before hitting the stage, he made a stylish appearance on the red carpet with his partner, Daniela Pick.
Eva Longoria and Heidi Klum shine alongside racing star Carlos Sainz Jr.
The two superstars posed for photos with Spanish motorsports pro Carlos Sainz Jr. Eva looked radiant in a Tamara Ralph SS25 Couture gown, while Heidi stunned in an Elie Saab couture dress.
Bella Hadid wows in a daring gown with sky-high slits
Bella stole the spotlight with her bold black dress from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, featuring dangerously high slits and stylish cutouts. It seems Cannes’ new dress code allows for some seriously sexy fashion statements!
Halle Berry changes plans over Cannes’ new dress code
Halle Berry had to rethink her outfit last minute after Cannes introduced rules banning nudity and overly dramatic gowns. She had originally planned to wear a Gaurav Gupta gown with a long train but switched it up to comply with the new guidelines.
