The Line-Up Is Out! Here’s The Leading Ladies To Watch At Cannes Film Festival 2015

Get ready, the 68th Cannes Film Festival is coming. This year’s line-up has just been released and it’s a good’un. This time around, there’s a strong focus on women both in-front of and behind the camera, meaning we can look forward to red carpet appearances from the likes of Cate Blanchett and Marion Cotillard.

The festival, which starts on 13th May and runs until the 24th, will be a huge frock fest, with 11 days worth of red carpet looks to lust over. The festival kicks off with ‘La Tete Haute’, directed by Emmanuelle Bercot, the first female director to open the festival in 28 years. Plus, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for Natalie Portman, whose first directing endeavour, Sipur Al Ahava Ve Choshech or A Tale of Love and Darkness, will get a special screening.

This year, 17 films were unveiled in the ‘competition’ category, see the line up below…

Sicario, dir: Denis Villeneuve

The Sea of Trees, dir: Gus Van Sant

Louder than Bombs, dir: Joachim Trier

Youth, dir: Paolo Sorrentino

Saul Fia (Son of Saul), dir: László Nemes

Mia Madre, dir: Nanni Moretti

Mon Roi, dir: Maiwenn

The Lobster, dir: Yorgos Lanthimos

Macbeth, dir: Justin Kurzel

Umimachi Diary* (Our Little Sister)*, dir: Hirokazu Kore-Eda Hirokazu

Shan He Gu Ren (Mountains May Depart), dir: Jia Zhang-Ke

Nie Yinniang (The Assassin), dir: Hou Hsiao Hsien

Carol, dir: Todd Haynes

Il Racconto dei Racconti (The Tale of Tales), dir: Matteo Garrone

Marguerite et Julien (Marguerite and Julien), dir: Valérie Donzelli

La Loi du Marche (A Simple Man), dir: Stéphane Brize

Dheepan (working title), dir: Jacques Audiard

We are looking forward to seeing more women celebrated at Cannes. While we wait, there's no better time to get aquainted with the leading ladies of Cannes 2015. Here’s our must-watch red carpet names...

1. Cate Blanchett

Cate, who co-stars alongside Rooney Mara in Todd Haynes’ nominated film, Carol, is expected to make a red carpet appearance. We are in love with Cate’s laid back approach and ability to always look effortlessly glamourous. We’re placing bets that the actress will be wearing Roksanda. The actress has been sporting Roksanda religiously ever since 2013, and it really works. Styled by Elizabeth Stewart , who was recently crowned ‘most powerful celebrity stylist’ by Hollywood Reporter, you won’t want to miss what Cate is wearing.

2. Rooney Mara

Cate Blanchett's *Carol *co-sta, Rooney, will be on the carpet too. The actress has developed a signature style, typically opting for a black dress and slicked back hair. Speaking to Grazia Daily, celebrity stylist Cher Coulter, talked about Rooney’s enviable red carpet look. “A Rooney Mara look's amazing, but she looks amazing, I don't want to see other people looking like that. That's the thing is it's very difficult for people to find their own voice." she said. We can see why, we wish we looked as cool as Rooney.

3. Marion Cotillard

Face of the Lady Dior campaign ever since 2008, this French actress oozes style. Starring alongside Michael Fassbender in Macbeth we’ll have our eyes peeled for Marion at the festival en France. The actress wowed at this years’ Oscars in Christian Dior Couture (obviously) and we can’t wait to see what she has up our sleeve for the upcoming frock fest.

4. Naomi Watts

If glitter is your thing, look out for Naomi Watts. The The Sea Of Trees actress knows how to shine on the red carpet, typically sporting metallic gowns. Shape-wise, Naomi often opts for a column dress, but mixes it up when it comes to designers. The star has appeared on the red carpet in Gucci, Versace, and, at the most recent Oscars, Armani Privé.

5. Isabelle Huppert

French actress Isbaelle, who stars alongside Matthew McConnaughy in Louder than Bombs, has already won Best Actress at Cannes twice. The french actress appeared alongside Kendall Jenner in the Autumn/Winter 2014 Givenchy campaign and channels simplistic Parisian style. We love.

Check out all of the best ever Cannes dresses in the gallery below...