Elizabeth Hurley's film opens the festival

Deauville traditionally attracts some of Hollywood's biggest names, who come to help promote their movies in Europe.

This year is no exception with the likes of Julianne Moore, Johnny Depp, Halle Berry, Haley Joel Osment and Christopher Walken also expected to attend.

They, and numerous directors and industry representatives, will be on hand to present festival highlights such AI: Artificial Intelligence, Swordfish, American Pie 2 and Legally Blonde.

Tributes

Opening movie Double Whammy also stars Pulp Fiction actor Steve Buscemi.

The film is a drama about a world-weary police detective who fights to restore his reputation after failing to stop a massacre in a fast food restaurant.

Science fiction thriller Artificial Intelligence is a highlight

Meanwhile, A Knight's Tale, which opens in the UK this weekend, is a tongue-in-cheek adventure about a young 14th Century peasant fighting his way to fame and fortune in the jousting arena.

Special tributes this year go to actors Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Christopher Walken, director Oliver Stone and producer Joel Silver.

Competition

Moore's World Traveler, directed by Bart Freundlich, will be one of the movies receiving its world premi�re at Deauville.

Michael Cimino, who directed The Deer Hunter and Heaven's Gate, will be awarded a literature prize for his first novel Big Jane.

There will be 10 movies competing for awards at Deauville this year, including the festival's Grand Prix.

Only independently made films are allowed to compete, which often leads to previously unknown talent coming to light.

This year's potential highlights include Bartleby by Jonathan Parker, Marc Levin's Brooklyn Babylon and the Deep End by Scott McGehee.