With some 45,000 accredited guests, of which some 4500 are media, France's Cannes Film Festival is an exercise in organisation in a country that remains on high alert amid a spate of terror attacks.
It is nearly a year since a truck ploughed through crowds on Bastille Day just 40km up the coast in Nice, killing 86 people, and the French Riviera festival organisers aren't taking any chances with Cannes' famous La Croisette boulevard.
Only accredited vehicles can drive up the town's main drag, with barriers lining the road.
Throughout the town armed French police and military walk the streets as the fortnight-long festival heads into its first weekend.
Local police are carrying handguns for the first time while a volunteer army of 500 residents keeps watch, ready to report anything suspicious.
To get into the Palais des Festivals, perhaps best recognised by its red-carpeted grand staircase, guests pass through airport-type security. Accreditation passes are scanned, as bags are searched.
Once inside there are more security guards dotted around - all eyeing the badges on the end of lanyards to make sure you're in the designated area for your pass colour.
"Rose is good, rose with yellow dot is better," one blue-badged holder intones on the stratification of various accreditation levels.
Outside, people crowd around dressed to the nines and holding signs hoping someone will be generous with a spare invitation.
"OKJA ticket for Netflix fan girls please," one teen's sign reads.
"120 Battements par minute S.V.P. (s'il vous plait)" asks another sign.
Two women dressed in floor-length backless gowns try to push past waiting media into a press screening.
Security guards look bemused and shake their heads - no badge, no entry.
"They won't let us in," one of the women fumes down her phone.
Despite a dozen heavily-armed military officers dressed in full fatigues patrolling, inside the festival the mood is light, with the sun shining and sea breeze keeping the temperature comfortable.
"Australie - you're OK," one festival security guard smiles as he scans the press pass and ushers me through to the cinema's darkness.
Cannes Film Festival runs to May 28, when the Palme d'Or winner is announced.
