Cannes' first day: In pictures

The Cannes Film Festival got underway on Wednesday with stars including Woody Allen and Sharon Stone facing the cameras.

The finishing touches were put to the venues on Wednesday morning

The event is centred around the Palais des Festivals

This was Woody Allen's first visit to the festival

He stars with Debra Messing (left) and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen in his new film, Hollywood Ending

Hundreds of photographers and journalists have gathered in the French Riviera town

There is a high-profile police presence at the festival

Actress Sharon Stone was introduced as a member of the jury

Stone is joined by Chinese actress Michelle Yeoh (left), director David Lynch and Indonesian actress Christine Hakim