The Festival de Cannes 2012 kicked off Wednesday with 22 films in competition and a jury led by Italian director Nanni Moretti.

Among the celebrities expected to attend are Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman,Eva Longoria, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Tilda Swilton, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Bruce Willis and Zac Efron.

The 65th Festival de Cannes will pay tribute to Marilyn Monroe fifty years after her death.

"The Festival is a temple of glamour and Marilyn is its perfect 'incarnation." Their coming together symbolises the ideal simplicity of elegance," the organizers said in a press release.

The winners will be announced on stage during the Closing Ceremony on May 27 culminating in the announcement of the Palme d'or.

Judges include Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, British director Andrea Arnold, French actress Emmanuelle Devos, German actress Diane Kruger, Alexander Payne, French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, Haitian director Raoul Peck and actor Ewan McGregor.