Julianne Moore, Salma Hayek, Sebastian Stan, Demi Moore & More at the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards

Hollywood’s most powerful names descended upon the Place de la Castre on Sunday, May 17, for one of the most star-studded evenings of the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival — the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards.

The 65-year-old Julianne Moore was honored with the Women in Motion Award at the annual event, which takes place during the Cannes Film Festival. The award “celebrates female artists whose careers and commitment have advanced the role of women both in cinema and in society.”

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman of Kering, alongside Iris Knobloch, President of the Festival de Cannes, and Thierry Frémaux, the Festival’s General Delegate, officially presented Moore with the 2026 Women in Motion Award.

Moore did not mince words upon taking the podium. “There is a cultural assumption, particularly in the United States, that women’s stories are less interesting or smaller, or that if we’re at the center of a narrative, we need to be strong or accomplishing something great, or doing something that is particularly male, if we want someone to watch us — if we want men to watch us. And I think that’s untrue,” she declared.

The Oscar winner went further, addressing the room full of industry luminaries directly. “I fucking love actresses,” Moore declared in the middle of an impassioned speech about the need for more stories centering the female POV.

Thierry Frémaux hailed Moore as “one of the greatest actresses of contemporary cinema,” noting that she “has built her work with remarkable intelligence and patience, delivering performances of rare emotional precision.”

François-Henri Pinault added: “Julianne Moore fully embodies the spirit of Women In Motion. Through the consistency of her artistic choices, the depth and complexity she brings to her performances, and her longstanding dedication to advancing meaningful representation both on and off screen, she has helped redefine what it means to be a leading woman in cinema.”

In her formal statement, Moore struck a similarly grateful but purposeful note. “I’m genuinely grateful for this recognition from Kering and the Festival de Cannes. Being part of Women In Motion’s legacy is incredibly meaningful to me,” she said. “I’ve always believed that visibility matters, that the stories we choose to tell can widen the space for women, and for a richer diversity of voices, both on screen and behind the camera.”

Moore joins an esteemed lineup of past honorees, including Nicole Kidman, NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios Chairman Donna Langley, Jane Fonda, Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, and Isabelle Huppert.

The Kering Women Awards evening was equally a showcase for the second honoree of the night. Italian filmmaker Margherita Spampinato was honored with the 2026 Emerging Talent Award. Spampinato was effusive in her gratitude: “I am grateful and happy to receive the 2026 Women In Motion Emerging Talent Award, and it is a great honor to receive it from Marianna Brennand, a director I deeply admire. This award moves me because it supports the creativity and freedom of new female voices in cinema and the arts around the world.”

Of course, no evening in Cannes would be complete without a full dose of red carpet drama — and this black-tie gala delivered on every front.

Salma Hayek, 59, looked incredible in a white feathered gown and embraced her greying hair swept up in a high bun. The actress wore a Gucci dress paired with Boucheron jewelry, befitting her role as the wife of Kering chairman François-Henri Pinault. The couple made no effort to conceal their affection, with Salma planting a kiss on her husband’s cheek as they posed for photographers.

Demi Moore pulled out all the stops on the black carpet, arriving in her capacity as a member of the 2026 Cannes competition jury. This year for the Cannes Film Festival, Demi joins Hamnet director Chloé Zhao and actor Stellan Skarsgård on the jury. The two Moores — no relation — posed together inside the gala, a moment that sent the celebrity press into a frenzy.

In one of the evening’s more personal revelations, Annabelle Wallis and Sebastian Stan made their first red carpet appearance together after confirming they are expecting their first child, with Wallis showing off her bump in a daring backless sequinned gown paired with thigh-high boots.

Other distinguished guests in attendance included Colman Domingo, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Rami Malek, Harris Dickinson, Isabelle Huppert, Odessa A’zion, and Diego Calva. Director Park Chan-wook and the festival’s competition jury also attended the chic celebration.

Moore closed her remarks by emphasizing that “we need more female voices in our industry, more writers, more directors, more actresses to carry that vision of what we see.”

On that point, the room — packed with some of cinema’s most formidable talent — appeared to be in unanimous agreement.

Ruth Negga at the 2026 Kering Women In Motion Awards at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

Diego Calva at the 2026 Kering Women In Motion Awards at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

Rami Malek at the 2026 Kering Women In Motion Awards at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

Christine Chu at the 2026 Kering Women In Motion Awards at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

Colman Domingo at the 2026 Kering Women In Motion Awards at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

Xavier Dolan at the 2026 Kering Women In Motion Awards at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2026.

Pierre Niney and Natasha Andrews wore Balenciaga while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Odessa A’zion wore a custom-made Balenciaga look while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Kristine Froseth wore a custom-made Balenciaga gown while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Jordan Firstman wore Balenciaga while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Isabelle Huppert wore a custom-made Balenciaga look while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Iris Knobloch wore a custom-made Balenciaga gown while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Havana Rose Liu wore Look 78 from the Balenciaga Winter 26 collection while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Harry Melling wore a custom-made Balenciaga tuxedo while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Harris Dickinson wore a custom-made Balenciaga suit while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Arthur Fils wore a custom-made Balenciaga tuxedo while attending the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Awards during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, on May 17th.

Jeremy Pope wore a Gucci dark brown glitter jacquard double-breasted suit, black silk jersey turtleneck, and Giovanni black leather loafers at the Kering Women in Motion dinner during the 79th Cannes Annual Film Festival on May 17, 2026, in Cannes, France.

Tao Okamoto wore a black stretch chiffon all-over-embroidered sleeveless evening dress with a draped front and an open back, and black leather pumps at the Kering Women in Motion dinner during the 79th Cannes Annual Film Festival on May 17, 2026, in Cannes, France.

Daisy Edgar-Jones wore a Generation Gucci white silk faille jacket, skirt, and white bra at the Kering Women in Motion dinner during the 79th Cannes Annual Film Festival on May 17, 2026, in Cannes, France.

Isabella Ferrari wore a Gucci black pinstripe single-breasted suit, black leather pumps, and a silver GG clutch at the Kering Women in Motion dinner during the 79th Cannes Annual Film Festival on May 17, 2026, in Cannes, France.

Sophie Thatcher wore a Gucci off-the-shoulder ruby-red gown with a heart-shaped sequined neckline at the Kering Women in Motion dinner during the 79th Cannes Annual Film Festival on May 17, 2026, in Cannes, France.

Georgina Rodriguez wore a blue silk Gucci shirt, black pants, and black leather pumps with Horsebit detailing at the Kering Women in Motion dinner during the 79th Cannes Annual Film Festival on May 17, 2026, in Cannes, France.