The 79th Cannes Film Festival has begun, but Hollywood is notably absent from the competition lineup. This lack of major studio participation is considered highly unusual for the prestigious event.

The red carpet has been rolled out at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in the south of France, with twelve days of nonstop world premieres before culminating with the Palme d'Or on May 23. But unlike other years, Hollywood is largely absent this year, which 'is highly unusual', as FRANCE 24's Emma Jones explains straight from Cannes.