77th Cannes Film Festival kicks off

The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday on the French Riviera, with a selection of 22 films vying for the coveted Palme d'Or, reported Xinhua.

The opening ceremony, presented by French actress Camille Cottin and featuring an exceptional guest of honor, American actress Meryl Streep, was broadcast live in hundreds of cinemas in towns and cities across France.

Outside of the realm of the competition, the festival will premiere the film Le Deuxieme Acte by Quentin Dupieux for the first time anywhere in the world.

This year's film competition includes entrees such as "Kinds of Kindness" by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos and epic science fiction drama "Megapolis" by double Palme d'Or winner, Francis Ford Coppola.

Asian filmmakers like Jia Zhang-Ke from China with his "Feng Liu Yi Dai (Caught by the Tides)" and Payal Kapadia from India with her "All We Imagine as Light" also shine in the top prize category.

President of the jury is 40-year-old American director Greta Gerwig, whose latest film "Barbie" smashed records.

Over the next 12 days, more than 35,000 festival-goers are expected to attend the festival screenings and wander the aisles of the Film Market.