One of the more glamours of the annual movie festivals will be starting on the Rivera this Wednesday. The Cannes Film Festival will run from May 12 thru May 23.

The obscure and movies’ royalty are trying to make their way to Cannes. The ash cloud from Iceland’s volcano is making travel difficult. And clean up due to storms from last week are in operation.

The Cannes Film Festival is important to both, large Hollywood film makers and producers from around the world who make low budget films. There will be tons of parties and people will pack the screening rooms. Some will be looking for bargain films. Others will be looking for movie financing. Cannes is also important for movie marketing. There will an enormous amount of media coverage, now that the world’s media has lifted a boycott of the festival.

The Ridley Scott’s film, Robin Hood, is one of the year’s expected blockbusters to make its debut at Cannes. The action packed movie stars Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett and will open the festival. Also, premiering at Cannes is Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. This Oliver Stone directed film includes Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf. Michael Douglas once again plays the role of Gordon Gekko. He is a remorseless corporate raider in a greedy world of banking, full of corruption.

Neither is competing for the famed Palme D’Or, whose jury is headed by Tim Burton. Eighteen films will be in the running for that and other prizes.

Other films at the festival but not in the competition are You will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger by Woody Allen. Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, and Josh Brolin appear in this film.

Based on a graphic novel by Posy Simmonds, Tamara Drew will also be shown. It is a Stephen Frears film that stars Gemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper.

Films that are competing for the award are Fair Game by Doug Liman and starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. This is a true story about the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame.

Also, in the competition is Another Year by Mike Leigh. In the cast is Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, and Ruth Sheen.

Many famous and infamous stars will climb up the red carpeted steps of the Palais des Festivals.