Woody Allen tops bill at star-studded Cannes festival

The 69th Cannes Film Festival has what it takes to be a vintage edition, with Woody Allen leading a pack of celebrated filmmakers presenting their movies to the French Riviera crowds.

The May 11-22 cinema extravaganza opens on Wednesday with Allen's "Cafe Society", featuring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart in a story of a young man who arrives in Hollywood during the 1930s hoping to work in the film industry.

"When we will be old we will tell our children you know I was living at a time when Woody Allen's films were coming out, and I think he's one of the greatest auteurs," festival director Thierry Fremaux told Reuters.

Jury members actress Kirsten Dunst (L), actress Valeria Golino (C) and actress and singer Vanessa Paradis stand on the terrace at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez on the eve of the opening of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

Director George Miller, Jury President of the 69th Cannes Film Festival, reacts as he arrives at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez on the eve of the opening of the Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

Although he has never been in competition, Allen is a Cannes favourite. This year will be the third time he has opened the festival, and several other familiar faces will be presenting their films in the main competition.

"This year the competition is mostly Cannes favourites, Cannes darlings," Variety critic Jay Weissberg told Reuters.

"Fremaux is someone who likes to reward his friends, he's somebody who likes to have the people he knows come back year after year after year."

Jury member actor Donald Sutherland arrives at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez on the eve of the opening of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

A Chopard representative displays the Palme d'Or, the highest prize awarded to competing films, during an interview before the start of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

The Dardenne brothers, who present "The Unknown Girl", have won the festival's highest distinction, the Palme d'Or, twice.

Ken Loach, in Cannes with "I, Daniel Blake" has won it once, while Bruno Dumont; Jim Jarmusch, who is showing two films including a documentary on Iggy Pop; Park Chan-wook; and Pedro Almodovar have all previously scooped other honours.

Jarmusch's films are two of five distributed by Amazon as the video streaming giant makes its first appearance in Cannes.

Workers install the red carpet in front of the main entrance of the Festival Palace on the eve of the opening ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

A general view shows the Croisette and the bay of Cannes on the eve of the opening ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

While the competition films bring much of the prestige, some of the red carpet glitz will surround some of the out of competition screenings, such as Steven Spielberg's "The BFG", based on the novel by Roald Dahl.

Oscar-winner Julia Roberts makes her Cannes debut in Jodie Foster's out-of competition film "Money Monster", alongside George Clooney.

"Twilight" star Stewart has been labelled queen of the festival by organisers as she features in "Cafe Society" as well as Olivier Assayas's "Personal Shopper", which is vying for the Palme d'Or crown.

A general view shows the Croisette and the bay of Cannes on the eve of the opening ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

A general view shows the Croisette and the Festival Palace on the eve of the opening ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2016. Reuters

Despite the glamour, security will be intense as France is still facing a high risk of attack.

Private security officers will control the Palais des Festivals entry points while "hundreds" of police officers will be deployed as France is still under a state of emergency after last year's Paris attacks killed 130 people.