The Cannes Film Festival is this week returning for its 75th edition, with the 2022 event dedicated to "rebuilding" the film industry after a turbulent two years.

Masks are gone, after-screening parties are back, and the red carpet has returned to its usual capacity, as the festival returns to its traditional month of May for the first time since 2019. 

Last year's event took place in July, due to ongoing COVID-19 lockdown issues, while 2020 saw the entire festival cancelled. 

"I hope the Cannes Festival will be there as a detonator for the return of audiences to the cinemas," festival director Thierry Fremeaux told an opening news conference. 

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Audience decline

Global theaters have seen audience numbers decline in recent years, but prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns have exacerbated the problem more recently. 

French actor Vincent Lindon is leading the festival's international jury, which also includes Jeff Nichols (U.S.), Jasmine Trinca (Italy), and Asghar Farhadi (Iran), among others. As usual, 21 films are vying for the top prize Palme d'Or during 12 days of screenings. 

The festival opens on Tuesday night at the Palais des Festivals, where VIP attendees will walk up the iconic staircase to attend a welcome reception. It will include the premiere of 'Final Cut,' a film that critics have called a comedy love letter to filmmaking and Z-list zombie movies.

Shadow of War 

The war in Ukraine is casting its shadow over the festival. A handful of Russian directors will have their movies screened, but delegates from the country's ministry of culture had their invitations withdrawn. 

Organizers say their official position is "absolute and non-negotiable support" to Ukraine. Special screenings of Ukrainian films have been added to boost the profile of the embattled nation's movie industry.