Chopard is, for the 14th consecutive year, official partner of the Cannes Film Festival and creator of the coveted Palme d’Or.

The Red Carpet Collection, a compilation of 64 exclusive Haute Joaillerie designs, alongside a collaboration with Italian shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti will adorn the festival’s stars each night. Traditionally, Chopard releases a new collection each year to suit the festivities featuring diamonds, rubies, emeralds and an assortment of other rich gemstones for the annual “mounting the steps” ritual.  This year they have invited Crazy Horse Burlesque dancers in a sexy collaboration to flounce and flit their lithe bodies bejeweled in Chopard down La Croisette. The moves and coruscating gems are destined to be a show stopper.

During the two-week long festival the prestigious watch and jewelry house will host and sponsor a list of glamorous events including the after party of Woody Allen’s opening night film, “Midnight in Paris” as well as The Chopard Trophy 10th Anniversary Ceremony and after party with Robert De Niro as Honorary Patron of the Ceremony.

The Palme d’Or is an award of the highest recognition presented to the best feature film competing in the festival.  Chopard also creates the “mini-Palmes” awarded to the Best Actor and Actress, along with the Trophée Chopard and the Palme d’Honneur, all of which are hand-crafted each year in the Chopard Manufacture in Geneva.

Below is a list of Chopard events in celebration of the Cannes Film Festival.

May 11 – Chopard sponsors after party of Woody Allen’s  opening night film, “Midnight in Paris” at the Majestic Beach

May 13 – Chopard will host a cocktail party for french movie – La vérité si je mens 3 at Chopard Lounge

May 14 – 10th anniversary of the Chopard Trophy: Robert de Niro, President of the Jury of the 64th Cannes Film Festival, will be the patron of the Chopard Trophy 2011 ceremony. This year he will officially hand over the trophy to young actor and actress who show outstanding promise in the international movie world. Previously honored have been luminaries such as Marion Cotillard, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Diane Kruger and Gael Garcia-Bernal. The choice of this year’s laureates has been made by a jury of film professionals composed of actress Marisa Berenson, director Claude Lelouche, producer Takis Candilis, along with Mathieu Carratier, Chief Editor of Première magazine, and Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele. The prize-giving ceremony will be followed by a Chopard Trophy 10th Anniversary party held in the Chopard Lounge.

May 16 – “Fashion for Relief” organized with Naomi Campbell:  Chopard soirée “Happy Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” : On May 16th, Chopard will hold its traditional and eagerly awaited soirée in Cannes. This year, The Crazy Horse, a Parisian institution renowned for its avant-garde cabaret shows, have created an exclusive “Crazy Diamonds” performance just for Chopard and its guests. Global house music sensation, DJ Bob Sinclar will keep guests dancing through the night amid a glamorous 1950s-inspired décor.

May 18 – Presentation of Chopard/Zanotti collaboration at Chopard Lounge

May 19 – Paul Higgins Foundation for Haiti Dinner Party at Chopard Lounge

May 19 – amFAR gala: Each year during the Festival, the movie world gets together for a fundraising evening on behalf of amfAR, a foundation dedicated to AIDS research. This event is one of the most keenly awaited and popular events of the fortnight. Strongly committed to various charitable activities, including the struggle against serious diseases, Chopard is proud to support this event each year. For the 2011 edition, the brand will serve as “presenting sponsor” of the benefit gala that will take place at the Cap-Eden-Roc Hotel.

May 22 – Closing Ceremony at Palais des Festivals: As every year, the real star of the festival is the Palme d’Or which will be unveiled at the closing ceremony. Firmly secured to a rock crystal cushion, a delicately curving stem slowly unfolds its leaves. This precious trophy redesigned by Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele and crafted in the Chopard workshops is quite clearly the most coveted “gem”

Chopard Lounge at the Martinez

Majestically overlooking La Croisette, the top floor of the Martinez Hotel will once again be hosting the Chopard Lounge during the festival. This exclusive and elegant area will welcome a number of leading personalities during the festival fortnight within an exceptional setting composed of a light, airy suite extending onto a large terrace providing stunning views of Cannes and the Palais des Festivals. Unique moments, a luxurious and serene atmosphere, and plenty of unexpected encounters… a place in which to escape from the frantic pace of La Croisette and to savor the magic of the Festival.