The Cannes red carpet was awash with stars on Tuesday night when Brad Pitt joined his partner Angelina Jolie and director Clint Eastwood for the premiere of their film Changeling.

Joining them on the famous Palais steps was Sharon Stone, P Diddy, Tim Robbins, Nick Nolte, Michelle Yeoh and legendary singer Cliff Richard.

Changeling is a mystery directed by Eastwood.

Eastwood, a regular at Cannes, led the Cannes jury in 1994 and has showed films at the festival including Mystic River, but has never won the top prize.

His latest offering is set in 1920's Los Angeles and sees Jolie as Christine, the mother of a kidnapped child.

Five months after the kidnapping, a child claiming to be the boy is returned and police are eager to bask in a public relations coup of reuniting mother and son.

Christine takes the boy home, but knows in her heart he is not Walter.

During the film's festival press conference earlier in the day, Jolie revealed inspiration for her character came from her own mother who passed away shortly before filming commenced.

Like many actors that get the opportunity to work with Eastwood Jolie was full of praise for her director.

The 77-year-old actor and director became hugely popular in 1971 with his portrayal of hard nosed cop Dirty Harry.

At the earlier news conference Eastwood dispelled rumours that he would be resurrecting the hugely popular character.

Changeling opens in the US on 7 November.