This year, as every year, Vanity Fair’s bash topped the ticket-hunters’ wish list in Cannes, boasting a red-carpet guest list straight out of Who’s Who. The event took place at Eden Roc, the cliff-top restaurant of the Hotel du Cap, framed by a curtain of torrential rain.

Among the beautiful people there were Cate Blanchett, Penélope Cruz and Natalie Portman, who nibbled on marshmallow, strawberry and white chocolate-filled edible roses. Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Sean Penn, and Will Smith also mingled.

Other hot Riviera dates included a benefit event organised by the designer Margherita Maccapani Missoni for OrphanAid Africa on the Pegasus yacht in Cannes old port. Mischa Barton, Goldie Hawn, Jade Jagger, Dean Cain, Natalie Imbruglia, Bar Refaeli and Harvey Weinstein climbed aboard barefoot as the hostess gallivanted in her granny’s nightgown. The stylist Ed O’Sullivan gossiped with Jade Jagger as one poor waiter fell down the boat’s rain-soaked steps carrying a tray of drinks.

Meanwhile, the swish Majestic Beach hosted an event to mark Jeanne Moreau’s 60 years in the business. The actress, known for her seductively raspy voice, smoked her way through the party. Jack Black camped it up at the Carlton Beach’s Kung Fu Panda party, performing a few kicks for the cameras, alongside Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman and some giant pandas. But it was the arrival of Angelina Jolie, rumoured to be scouting a Riviera location for the impending birth of her twins, that caused the most pandemonium.

Few got to see the divine Blanchett whisk across the dance floor of the watch designer Chopard and the Italian fashion designer Alberta Ferretti’s opening-night fête. Cocktails came in the form of giant tubes of vodka, a bit like alcoholic toothpaste, while tapenade canapés and bruschetta topped the menu. A feisty Juliette Lewis, all dressed up for once in a Charleston-like black tassle dress, shouted at the organisers to stop the “naff” music so that she could get up to spin some rock’n’roll.

Tonight the annual Cinema Against Aids gala promises to be a very exclusive event. Known for impromptu performances and fun-filled bidding antics for the likes of a kiss from George Clooney, this year it welcomes Madonna to host alongside the regular Sharon Stone.

Editor's choice

• The 100 Best Films of the Decade
• 70 facts you didn't know about Marvel
• The 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010