The Cannes Film Festival is known for its glitz, glamour, and cinematic masterpieces. But on Friday, the spotlight shifted from the silver screen to the red carpet as L’Oréal Paris hosted its annual Lights on Women’s Worth Award ceremony, celebrating women in cinema.
And the stars did not disappoint.
Eva Longoria, Gillian Anderson, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan led a constellation of celebrities who turned out for the event, held May 22 in the glamorous French Riviera city. The award ceremony, now in its sixth year, honors women who are making a significant impact in the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera.
The Looks That Stole the Show
Longoria, the multi-hyphenate actor, director, and producer, commanded attention in a show-stopping ensemble. The “Desperate Housewives” alum has been a staple at Cannes for years, but her appearance at the L’Oréal event carried extra weight. Longoria recently wrapped post-production on her latest directorial project and has been vocal about the need for more female directors in Hollywood.
Anderson, the award-winning actor known for her roles in “The X-Files,” “The Crown,” and “Sex Education,” brought her signature elegance to the red carpet. Anderson has been a prominent voice for women’s issues throughout her career, making her a natural fit for an event celebrating women’s worth.
Rai Bachchan, the former Miss World and Bollywood icon, represented Indian cinema with grace and power. Her presence underscored the global reach of the award and L’Oréal’s commitment to celebrating women from all corners of the world.
Beyond the Red Carpet
The L’Oréal Lights on Women’s Worth Award is more than just a photo opportunity. The event includes a mentorship program and a €50,000 grant (approximately $54,000) awarded to a female filmmaker each year. Previous winners have gone on to screen their films at major festivals and secure distribution deals that might otherwise have been out of reach.
This year’s award recipient has not been publicly named, but insiders suggest the winner is a rising director from Southeast Asia whose documentary about climate displacement has been generating buzz in festival circles. L’Oréal has committed to expanding the program in 2027, adding a second grant for a female cinematographer.
Cannes Under Pressure
The ceremony comes as the Cannes Film Festival faces renewed scrutiny over its own record on gender parity. While the festival has made strides in recent years — including signing a pledge to increase transparency about the number of women submitted for selection — critics note that only four of the 22 films competing for the Palme d’Or this year were directed by women.
Events like the L’Oréal Lights on Women’s Worth Award are seen by some as a necessary corrective. By celebrating women in cinema on the sidelines of the main festival, L’Oréal is applying gentle pressure to an institution that has historically been slow to change.
The Bottom Line
L’Oréal Paris hosted its annual Lights on Women’s Worth Award ceremony in Cannes on May 22, celebrating women in cinema. Eva Longoria, Gillian Anderson, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were among the notable attendees gracing the red carpet. The event includes a mentorship program and a €50,000 grant for a female filmmaker. The ceremony comes as the Cannes Film Festival faces ongoing scrutiny over gender parity, with only four of 22 films in competition directed by women this year.
