Cate Blanchett Leads Female Dominated Jury at 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival [PHOTOS]

Hollywood has flocked to the South of France for the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival which is being held from May 8-19. In this post-Weinstein, #TimesUp era, the festival jury of nine is headed by actress Cate Blanchett and includes four other females, a first for the festival which has had a predominately male jury.

Burundian singer Khadja Nin, French actress Lea Seydoux, film director Ava DuVernay and actress Kristen Stewart make up the rest of the female jury members. More women are being recognized this year as Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins is slated to receive the Women in Motion award.

50 Celebrities Who Have Died In 2018 – Tribute Slideshow

While the Palme d’Or jury features many women, only three of the 21 films up for consideration were directed by females. In a news conference at the opening, Blanchett told the crowd, “There are several women in competition. They are not there because of their gender. They are there because of the quality of their work. We will assess them as filmmakers, as we should.” Cannes has come under criticism over the years for not selecting more female directors. Only one female filmmaker, Jane Campion, has won the Palme.

Oscars 2018: Best Dressed Slideshow!

Festival director Thierry Fremaux has banned Netflix and other streaming services from the festival, selfies on the red carpet are also forbidden this year. One festival rule many women can get behind is an unpopular one which prohibits women from wearing flats on the red carpet.

For a long time, Harvey Weinstein was a prominent figure for decades, debuting films and schmoozing with the industry’s top people. In efforts to distance itself from Weinstein, Cannes Film Festival has set up a hotline for victims of sexual harassment and put conversations about power, sexual harassment and consent in the film industry to the forefront.