Cannes Film Festival Kicks Off with Jury Presentations and Peter Jackson's Honorary Celebration

The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival officially launched today, marking the start of the prestigious celebration with a pair of standout photo opportunities on the red carpet.

Proceedings began at the storied Palais des Festivals, where this year's jury members assembled for their first official appearance. The panel includes Diego Céspedes, Ruth Negga, Park Chan-wook (serving as president), Chloé Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård, Laura Wandel, Isaach de Bankolé, and Demi Moore. The group gathered to pose ahead of their press conference, signaling the beginning of their judging duties.

Sharing the spotlight was Peter Jackson, who received the festival's honorary Palme d'Or award. The acclaimed filmmaker arrived with his children Katie and Billy, alongside collaborators Ken Kamins and Carlos Ramírez Laloli for a family-focused photo call.

The honorary accolade recognizes "a body of work that blends Hollywood blockbusters and films d'auteur with extraordinary artistic vision and technological audacity," according to the festival's official statement.

Jackson previously reflected on the honor, saying: "To be honoured with an Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes is one of the greatest privileges of my career. Cannes has been a meaningful part of my filmmaking journey. In 1988, I attended the Festival Marketplace with my first movie, Bad Taste, then in 2001 we screened a preview sequence from The Fellowship of the Ring, both of which were important milestones in my career. This festival has always celebrated bold, visionary cinema, and I'm incredibly grateful to the Festival de Cannes for being recognised among the filmmakers and the artists whose work continues to inspire me."

The festival runs through Saturday, May 23. On the style front, Moore wore Jacquemus paired with Hassanzadeh London jewelry, while Negga chose Celine for the opening day proceedings.