Just 24 hours later, a lucky few hundred guests traveled once again along the winding coastal roads back to the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc for the Vanity Fair party, hosted by the magazine's editor, Graydon Carter.
Slide Show Vanity Fair's Party at Cannes CreditRebecca Marshall for The New York Times
After a lavish dinner upstairs, co-hosted by Richard Plepler, the chairman of HBO, the scene headed downstairs and onto the decks for an after-party that resembled a 1950s movie set: The hotel's lush gardens had been uplit in misty pinks and yellows, elegant sandy-hued umbrellas positioned amid the rocks, and the Vanity Fair logo gleamed like sunken treasure from the bottom of the pool. Dozens of security heavies with earpieces lurked discreetly in the bushes, ready to boot any foolhardy crashers willing to try their luck. (There were plenty.)
"It's so much fun tonight," said the model-of-the-moment Kendall Jenner in a midnight blue satin wrap gown with sparkling black tassels by Mathieu Mirano. "I feel like all my friends are here."
Nearby, Kate Hudson chatted with Peter Dundas, the creative director for Roberto Cavalli, and Kirsten Dunst, who was full of praise for the designer of her gown, the London-based Michael van der Ham.
"He is one of the most talented guys in the business, and I want him in the spotlight," she said, while leaning by the bar. "Tell everyone about this amazing outfit."
Photo Juanito Ascencio and Salma Hayek, left, at the Vanity Fair party in celebration of the 69th Cannes Film Festival. Credit Rebecca Marshall for The New York Times
Jodie Foster continued to accept well wishes for her film "Money Monster," which debuted two days earlier, and Chloë Sevigny, bedecked in tweed and lace by Alessandra Rich, did an enthusiastic rendition of the cancan. Russell Crowe was also in high spirits, telling fellow revelers that if they went to see his new movie, "The Nice Guys," also starring Ryan Gosling, "please wear underwear, because you'll laugh your pants off."
This was not a problem for a flat-capped Leonardo DiCaprio, who charged scowling through the crowd at lightning speed before setting up a base in the shadows.
The party was co-hosted by the jewelry brand Chopard, also an official partner of the film festival, as well as the co-host of its own yacht party earlier. Along with Colin Firth and his wife, Livia, Chopard celebrated the latest Green Carpet collection as part of a collaboration with Gemfields, the precious stones supplier, to produce ethically sourced emeralds. Julianne Moore wore several pieces to the opening ceremony, which glimmered among the gold sequins on her Alexander McQueen gown.
"The great thing about Cannes is that beyond the gl itz and glamour, the red carpet can be used to promote important causes in a public arena that has unparalleled reach," said Mrs. Firth, the founder and creative director of Eco Age, a brand consultancy that helps companies become more sustainable.
Photo Susan Sarandon, left, and Geena Davis stopping for a selfie at the Kering and Cannes Film Festival dinner at Place de la Castre. Credit Venturelli/Getty Images for Kering
Kering, the French luxury conglomerate that owns such names as Gucci, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, had the same idea. In addition to creating the "Women in Motion" series of talks that explore the position of women in the film industry, the group hosted the Cannes presidential dinner Sunday night honoring the work of Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, 25 years after the release of "Thelma & Louise."
As the actresses took selfies, Ms. Sarandon said that the female-centric road-trip classic would most likely never have been made today given what she called "a lack of imagination" by male film executives.
"It would probably end up as an animation," she said, after having whipped off her heels to collect her award, her comment cheered by Juliette Binoche, Vanessa Paradis and Jean Paul Gaultier. "Whereas women can see a woman or a man in a leading role," she added, "I don't think it's as easy for a guy to see a woman in a leading role and say, 'I'll get behind that.' It is still a cultural thing."
Her seatmate at dinner, Salma Hayek, gave the subject a more positive spin.
"There's a lot of work to be done still, I know," Ms. Hayek said, before sitting back in her rose pink ruffled Gucci gown. "But I truly believe that this is an issue that is part of more conversations that ever before. It's am azing to see and hear."
Correction: May 16, 2016
An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of the designer Michael van der Ham.
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