The red carpet at the 66th Cannes Film Festival sprung into glamorous life this midweek, at the Theatre Lumiere in the city on the French Riviera.

Australian actress Nicole Kidman is a member of the jury for the Palme d'Or this season and the Moulin Rouge star looked gorgeous in a strapless, floral-embroidered Christian Dior frock from the Spring 2013 Couture collection. The 45-year-old accessorised the dress with a Ferragamo clutch and pink patent shoes.

But it was the Hollywood star's hairstyle that stole the show - she combined sleek sides with a bouffant-like voluminous section across the centre of her head and ponytail at the nape of her neck.

Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, also a jury member, opted for a traditional Indian look and wore a cream lehenga, a high-necked black choli and a cream colored embroidered dupatta [a combination of a long skirt and a full-sleeve blouse], designed by Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

Cannes 2013 is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Indian cinema and actress Sonam Kapoor was also present, wearing a white lace full-sleeve gown featuring intricate gold embroidery, from the Anamika Khanna Couture collection.

Actress Freida Pinto, of Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire fame, looked elegant in red Gucci, teamed with Chopard jewels. English model Cara Delevingne opted for traditional black Burberry.

The first day started with the screening of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, a 3D adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's classic American romantic novel of the same name. The all-star cast of the film includes Leonardo DiCaprio and legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Acclaimed American director Steven Spielberg leads the main jury this year. Danish director Thomas Vinterberg is president for the Un Certain Regard jury, with French actress Ludivine Sagnier and Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, among others on the panel.

The Cannes Film Festival, which ends on 26 May, will be hosted by French actress Audrey Tautou.