steven spielberg

The Cannes Film Festival opens tomorrow, but celebrities are already making their glamorous French Riviera entrances. Nicole Kidman shimmered onto the scene today, and Steven Spielberg greeted the crowd before heading into a photo call for the festival's jury panel. Cannes first-timer Emma Watson touched down at Nice airport earlier in the day, as did Leonardo DiCaprio.

The festival will start off with a 3D showing of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby tomorrow and will showcase other highly anticipated films like Ryan Gosling's Only God Forgives and Steven Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra, starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. The international movie madness will run for 12 days and finish on May 26 with awards hand-selected by this year's jury.

The fun continued inside yesterday's AFI Awards in LA. The bash, held at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, was held to honour the year's best in film and television. A total of 10 films, including Silver Linings Playbook, Argo, Les Misérables, and Lincoln, were supported by their stars and directors. Daniel Day-Lewis made the rounds with his co-star Sally Field and director Steven Spielberg, while Argo's Ben Affleck, fresh off a win in the best director category at the Critics' Choice Awards, was accompanied by his producers George Clooney and Grant Heslov.

The Silver Linings Playbook clan also had a good night at the Critics' Choice Awards. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence won top honours as best actor and actress in a comedy, and she also won best actress in an action movie for The Hunger Games. Their leading lady Jacki Weaver posed with Jennifer, and they were both in a celebratory mood because, in addition, their cast won best ensemble at the CCAs. The Les Mis crowd was well-represented, too. Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, and Hugh Jackman all attended. They said hello to friends from movies and television, which included cast members from Mad Men, like Christina Hendricks, and the stars of Girls, Modern Family, and more.

Stars hit the red carpet at the 2012 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Wednesday night. Daniel Craig was joined by his Skyfall Bond girls, Oscar de la Renta-clad Bérénice Marlohe and Naomie Harris, but it was his wife, Rachel Weisz, who he leaned in to kiss before picking up the British artist of the year honour.

Daniel Day-Lewis was also in attendance, and after Steven Spielberg presented him with the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film, he took advantage of his stage time to show off his funny side. Daniel thanked BAFTA with a spoof of Clint Eastwood's conversation with an empty chair at the Republican National Convention. The comical speech was somewhat unexpected from Daniel, who is best known for his serious roles, including Spielberg's Lincoln, which is released in Australia on Feb. 7.

Gwyneth Paltrow had a huge smile on her face as she arrived at Elio's restaurant in NYC to celebrate her 40th birthday last Friday. She was joined by a group of famous pals, including Christy Turlington, Chelsea Handler, Kristen Wiig, Jessica Seinfeld, and Ethan Hawke for the dinner. Gwyneth arrived with Cameron Diaz, and Beyoncé Knowles also made an appearance. Beyoncé continued to honour her friend on Saturday when she shared a birthday message to Gwyneth during her surprise performance at Jay-Z's final Barclays Center concert. Gwyneth had family in attendance at the meal as well with her mum, Blythe Danner, and godfather, Steven Spielberg, stepping out. It was the latest birthday fun for Gwyneth, who also marked her big day with dinner at the River Cafe in London last Thursday. Stella McCartney, Hugh Grant, Jamie Oliver, and photographer Mario Testino were among the stars who gathered to fete the actress following Gwyneth and her family's trip to Italy at the end of September.

Nora Ephron’s memorial service was held in NYC yesterday and some of Hollywood’s biggest names flocked to the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall to pay their respects. Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Westfeldt, Steven Spielberg, Martha Stewart, Steve Martin and Sally Field were just some of the stars who attended the service for the filmmaker behind classics such as When Harry Met Sally . . ., Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. Nora passed away on June 26 after a battle with leukaemia and stars were quick to share anecdotes and memories from working with her.

Awards season continued over the weekend with the AFI Awards in Beverly Hills. The organisation honours 10 outstanding movies and films, while also recognising achievements with their special awards. George Clooney's The Descendants was among the big-screen honourees, which also include Moneyball, Bridesmaids, J. Edgar, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Help. Leonardo DiCaprio and Rooney Mara, in Lanvin, came out to represent their films as did Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and Chloë Moretz. It was just the latest suited-up appearance for Leo and George since they also stepped out for Friday's Critics' Choice Awards.

Representing the small screen were Claire Danes and Aaron Paul, whose respective Homeland and Breaking Bad got recognition in the TV category, along with Modern Family and The Good Wife. Claire will be back in front of the cameras for tomorrow's Golden Globes since she's nominated for best actress — make sure to place your Golden Globe ballot picks before the big show!

Prince William held an umbrella for his wife Kate yesterday evening at the London premiere of War Horse. The couple turned out for the UK screening of the Steven Spielberg-directed project, and rubbed shoulders on the red carpet with some of the movie's stars like Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine and Emily Watson. They also said hello to various servicemen and women who'd been invited. William looked handsome in his tux, while Kate wore a black lace dress from one of her family's favourite designers, Alice Temperley. The royals turned out because the evening was organised in support of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Steven was evidently touched to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge there. Steven Spielberg said of William and Kate, "It's a very prestigious honour because they represent an entirely new era in British royalty that has the entire world excited. When they came to America, that was one of the most exciting events, I think, that we've enjoyed for some time, so it's such an honour to be here in the UK to be able to meet them and to be able to show them, and all of us, War Horse." Following the event, William and Kate attended a private reception with the cast at Buckingham Palace. We can expect even more partying today, as it's Kate's 30th birthday!