From Cannes to Tribeca: eight days in film

The excitement hits new heights of hysteria as the official selections for the Cannes film festival are duly unveiled. Who could fail to be thrilled by a lineup that includes new work from the likes of Sergei Loznitsa, Nikita Mikhalkov and Im Sang-soo? Festival president Gilles Jacob, director Bertrand Tavernier and artistic director Thierry Frémaux turn cartwheels at the news
Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images

Maintaining the air of jollity, here comes Lou Reed. The singer, songwriter and all-round jester has just directed his first feature, Red Shirley. It premiered this week at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival in Nyon, Switzerland, where a good time was doubtless had by all
Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

It was business as usual for Kate Winslet, who threw herself into work (in general) and Todd Haynes's Mildred Pierce (in particular) following her split from Sam Mendes. On set, however, her mood is magically lifted by the sight of a newspaper photo that shows a third-rate acting rival bending down to pet a disabled dog …
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At the LA premiere of The Back-Up Plan, Jennifer Lopez bends down to pet a disabled dog. The dog, we are guessing, has been installed as a sly metaphor for the film itself
Photograph: Picture Perfect/Rex Features

Some stars have their premieres in Hollywood, while others get Southampton. Gemma Arterton attends the grand unveiling of The Disappearance of Alice Creed on England's version of the Riviera. Later there will be bingo
Photograph: Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images

But the week also came imbued with dignity and gravitas. Check out Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in his lofty sideline as "brand ambassador" for Indian cinema, beguiling the throng at a press conference in Colombo
Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

Now step forward David Lynch. He's in Lille with a bold new initiative to reduce violence in schools via the medium of transcendental meditation. And he wants to tell you all about it
Photograph: Francois Lo Presti/AFP/Getty Images

Everyone knows Hong Kong actor Eric Tsang. But what is he really like, off camera, behind the mask, when his guard is down? This week, at the Hong Kong film awards, he finally gave his answer
Photograph: Kin Cheung/AP

Hey presto, here we are at the Vanity Fair party in honour of the Tribeca film festival, which opened this week in downtown New York City. Robert De Niro's waiting to welcome you in
Photograph: Dave Allocca/Rex Features

And finally, Tribeca also saw the star-studded premiere of Shrek Forever After, with Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers and Antonio Banderas voguing happily for the cameras. It's the fourth outing for the money-spinning franchise about the grumpy green ogre. Rarely has a film's title sounded more like a threat
Photograph: Peter Kramer/AP