Locarno Film Festival

Scarlet Johansson, star of Luc Besson's "Lucy," did not make a red-carpet appearance at the opening of the Locarno Film Festival because of her pregnancy. French director Besson, however, was there to enjoy the honor of opening the festival with his work. Besson spent over nine years researching the film due to its complex theme: evolution.

Under the direction of Carlo Chatrian, Locarno has established itself as the world's most improtant film festival location, next to Cannes, Berlin and Venice. Hollywood star Melanie Griffith, who is presenting a short film in Locarno, used the opportunity to record a video with her iPhone in support of more female directors.

Juliette Binoche is known for her versatility. The French actress reinvents herself in practically every film, like here in "The English Patient" (1996). This year in Locarno, she will be presenting her newest film, "Clouds of Sils Maris," and will be honored with an honorary Golden Leopard for her life's work.

Each year, the Locarno Film Festival aims to honor outstanding actors and directors, who are then asked to select films from their careers that they'd like screened at the event. Juliette Binoche's personal highlight was "Three Colors: Blue" (pictured), which she worked on in collaboration with Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski.

French director Agnès Varda (born in 1928), who began her career as a photographer, represents the French New Wave cinematic movement. She is receiving the honorary Golden Leopard at Locarno for her life's work, which include documentaries, feature films, film portraits and fictional cinematic works. Her 2008 film, "The Beaches of Agnès," is being screened at the festival.

Armin Mueller-Stahl is one of very few German actors who has also made a name for himself in Hollywood. In Locarno, he will share his story of how he began his career in communist East Germany. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1997 for his role in the Australian film "Shine" (pictured), and will now be honored for his life's work in Locarno.

Renowned director Roman Polanski is presenting his most recent film, "Venus in Fur" (2013) at Locarno. He already received the Palme d'Or in Cannes for the picture. In addition, he's scheduled to give a master class at the Locarno Summer Academy for young film students.

Locarno has traditionally been a festival for the masses. More than 8,000 spectators gather every evening in front of the huge outdoor screen. A special audience award is presented each year and has become a kind of a tradition. In 2006, it went to the German film "The Lives of Others," which details the everyday reality of surveillance in communist East Germany.

A total of 17 films are competing for the top honor: the Golden Leopard. It's no easy task for the jury. Here, the jury members are pictured at the festival opening on August 6: (from left) Carlo Chatrian, Gianfranco Rosi, Alicia Braga, Connie Nielsen, Thomas Arslan and Diao Yinan.