Allen opens Cannes festival

It is Allen's first appearance at the festival

Woody Allen has helped launch this year's Cannes Film Festival with the screening of his new movie Hollywood Ending.

It is the director's first appearance at the French resort's two-week movie event.

Hundreds of screaming fans crowded outside the Theatre Lumière to see Allen, who was joined by the film's co-stars Debra Messing and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen.

Other stars at the screening included Sharon Stone and Michelle Yeoh, who are both on the Cannes jury this year.

Making each film is very difficult

Woody Allen

Allen said that, after 25 years of his films showing at the festival, it was about time he attended.

"The French have been so supportive of my films for so many years," he said.

"I felt I wanted to give some gratitude back."

Allen has directed more than 35 films in a career spanning five decades.

"Making each film is very difficult. The fact you have made so many doesn't make it any harder or easier although it gets easier as technology improves," he told BBC News Online.

Sharon Stone is on the Cannes jury

As well as acting as director on Hollywood Ending, Allen stars in the movie as a once-famous director who gets the chance to make a big film.

However, due to paranoia he goes temporarily blind, forcing his friends to cover up his disability.

The screening of Hollywood Ending was followed by Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones at just after midnight local time, in line with the long-awaited film's global release.

Another highlight will be a 20-minute preview of Martin Scorsese's delayed Gangs of New York.

Acclaimed US director David Lynch will head the panel of nine judges to decide on this year's Palme d'Or prize.