CANNES, France — The Trophée Chopard gala was full of sparkle, not just from the jewels but the star presence of Angelina Jolie.

Jolie is serving as godmother to this year’s honorees, Marie Colomb and Finn Bennett. In a white Tom Ford gown and a pair of Chopard diamond earrings, she took to the stage to celebrate the rising stars and acknowledge the film festival as not only a celebration of glamour, but human connection and artistic courage.

“What brings us here is not carpets, even though they’re lovely, but what brings us here is to connect to each other through international cinema and the opportunity to be creative people,” she said. “I love international cinema. We are brought to other lands, into private moments, even on the battlefield, we connect and we empathize,” she said.

Jolie placed the spotlight on building bridges between people, and highlighted the film “My Father’s Shadow,” which will have its Cannes premiere in the Un Certain Regard section on Sunday. The drama about the 1993 election crisis and political unrest marks the first time a Nigerian film has been in competition.

The inclusion of the film is a step forward, she said. “Anything that is possible to make international cinema more accessible is necessary and welcome.”

Ever the activist, Jolie popped the Cannes bubble to draw attention to the current state of conflicts around the world.

“None of us are naive. We know that many artists around the world lack the freedom and security to tell their stories, and many have lost their lives,” she said, citing Fatima Hasuna, killed in Gaza; Shaden Gardood, killed in Sudan, and Victoria Amelina, killed in Ukraine.

A documentary titled “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,” about Hasuna’s life as a photojournalist in Gaza will be screened in Cannes.

Jolie went on to underscore the role of artists and cinema. “We owe all of those risking their lives and sharing their stories and experiences a debt of gratitude, because they have helped us to learn and to evolve,” she said.

Jolie was on hand to honor this year’s Trophée Chopard recipients, Marie Colomb and Finn Bennett.

“You have both been acknowledged for the extraordinary versatility, authenticity and empathy that you bring to your roles and as rising talents in global cinema,” she said, and highlighted their future promise as actors. “Thank you both for your contribution that you have already made to film and storytelling and for everything that you will go on to do creatively.”

A very nervous Colomb thanked Jolie in her role of godmother of the prize. But she added a moment of levity with a little slip up.

“It’s really such an honor to have you as a dog mother,” she said, before quickly correcting her error. The French actress said they had been talking about dogs before (Chopard copresident Caroline Scheufele’s Cavalier King Charles spaniel Byron was in attendance at the ceremony) and apologized with a laugh that was received with wide applause from the audience.

Bennett thanked Jolie for her work on and off the screen.

“Her work with humanitarian causes and ecological causes means she is someone who is and will always be on the right side of history,” he said. “I can’t say thank you enough. I’m a very lucky boy.”

Members of the jury including president Juliette Binoche, Jeremy Strong, Hong Sang-soo, Alba Rohrwacher*, Dieudo Hamadi, Payal Kapadia, Leïla Slimani and Carlos Reygadas, as well as Camera d’Or jury president Alice Rohrwacher and Carla Bruni, were on hand to celebrate.

Berry said she is enjoying the festival so far, despite the hectic schedule. “I’m having the time of my life,” she said. She was wearing a black Jacquemus dress — her second of the festival by the designer — and a stunning Chopard snake necklace.

Festival president Iris Knobloch thanked longtime Cannes partner Chopard and Scheufele for supporting the festival.

“In a world where everything moves faster, where alliances form and fade with passing trends, our rare and precious bond is the creation of an exceptional woman, Caroline,” she said. “Thank you so much for your unwavering loyalty, generosity and your invaluable friendship, and thank you to Chopard for continuing year after year to illuminate the timeless jewel that is the film festival.”

The event, held at the Carlton beach, was unwittingly set to the thumping music of a party next door. The beat was so pervasive that Bruni, who had been slated to perform, bowed out of her closing song.