Cannes is set to open the doors on its 69th Film Festival with enough stars to rival the Milky Way.

Riding in on a wave of Oscar victories is Australian director George Miller of Mad Max fame, who is heading up the jury which this year includes Kirsten Dunst, Valeria Golino, Mads Mikkelsen, Vanessa Paradis, Katayoon Shahabi and Donald Sutherland.

Expectations as always are high for the festival which aims to strike a balance between Hollywood glitz and cinematic grit.