The 78th Cannes Film Festival in 2025 saw a variety of notable events and fashion choices. Angelina Jolie made a return to the festival, while Kristen Stewart debuted as a director. Actress-entrepreneur Parul Gulati also made a significant impression with her unique fashion ensemble, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan shared her experience of attending the festival with her daughter, Aaradhya.

Angelina Jolie was named the "godmother" for the Trophée Chopard dinner on May 16. She presented the award to rising actors Marie Colomb and Finn Bennett. Jolie, who last attended Cannes in 2011, wore an elegant, one-sleeve white gown with ankle-strap heels. Her appearance marked a return to the red carpet after the 2025 awards season, where she was recognized for her role in Maria, a film about Maria Callas.

Kristen Stewart premiered her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, at the festival. She wore a bright white satin suit with matching high-waisted Bermuda shorts, accessorized with a satin white baseball cap and black open-toe heels. Earlier in the day, she attended the movie's photocall in a bubblegum pink tweed top and shorts from Chanel's fall 2025 collection. Stewart also debuted a new ombré pink hair color. She expressed disbelief at getting the movie into the festival, admitting that it was still a work in progress.

Parul Gulati made her red-carpet debut at Cannes, attending the world premiere of Eddington, directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Pedro Pascal. Gulati wore a custom-made ensemble crafted entirely out of human hair, a tribute to her hair extension brand, Nish Hair. The outfit took over a month to create, involving a team of 12 artisans. Gulati stated that she wanted her look to reflect individuality and risk-taking, representing both her creative and entrepreneurial sides. Her appearance sparked conversations about creative expression on international red carpets. In a separate appearance, Gulati also sported a dramatic sheer black look and a creative braided hair dress.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan brought her daughter Aaradhya to Cannes, continuing a family tradition that started with Aishwarya's mother. Aaradhya feels comfortable at the festival, enjoys reconnecting with friends, and is developing an appreciation for cinema. She accompanied Aishwarya to events like the Ponniyin Selvan: II premiere. Aishwarya noted that Aaradhya's experience is mainly about togetherness and feeling at home in the familiar environment of Cannes.

The Cannes Film Festival red carpet has long been a venue for bold fashion. However, the festival recently tweaked its dress code, banning nudity, long trains, and voluminous dresses on the grounds of decency and practicality. Avant-garde fashion, like Parul Gulati's braided hair dress, continues to push boundaries while adhering to the updated guidelines.