Celebrities Glamorize Cannes Film Festival With Stunning Designer Gowns

The glamour that was last seen at the Baftas and Oscars is back with the 62nd Cannes Film Festival which got underway on Wednesday night. The festival, which sees the culmination of both the film and fashion, opened with a screening of Disney's "Up."

While many Hollywood and international actresses were already all over the red carpet in gorgeous evening gowns, Elizabeth Banks was the "belle of the ball" in a stunning scarlet gown, Marie Claire reports.

The newly announced L'Oreal world spokesperson arrived for the premiere in an asymmetric Armani Privé S/S '09 gown styled with demure Fifties hair.

Indian model and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who Roger Ebert once called "the most beautiful woman in the world" in his review of "Bride and Prejudice," looked stunning in a strapless white Roberto Cavalli gown.

Bachchan accessorized it with red peeptoe heels, Swarovski red box clutch, pearl drop earrings and chunky rings.

Meanwhile the always-interesting Tilda Swinton was seen in layered maroon Haider Ackermann autumn '09, and Cannes judge Robin Penn Wright looked stunning in a metallic Elie Saab autumn '07 Couture gown.

A host of A-list celebrities including Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron are all still to appear on the red carpet on what will become the most fashionable Cannes to date.

Even the line-up of films this year looks promising. There is Quentin Tarantino's World War II drama "Inglourious Basterds" starring Brad Pitt, one of 20 films showing in the competition and vying for the coveted Palme d'Or for best picture.

Other upcoming movies to be screened include "Bright Star" from Jane Campion ("The Piano"); "The White Ribbon" from Michael Haneke ("Cache," "Funny Games), and "Taking Woodstock," from Ang Lee and starring Emile Hirsch and Liev Schreiber.