Now This Is How You Use The Cannes Red Carpet To Do Good

Salma Hayek used her time in the spotlight to raise awareness for the #BringBackOurGirls campaign - and then more celebs followed suit.

Don't get us wrong: We've had our eyes glued to the Cannes Film Festival from day one, and we've been loving every second of it. But it is nice to see something other than beautiful people and couture dresses float down the red carpet for a change.

Salma Hayek used the very public Cannes red carpet as a platform to send a very serious message on Saturday. The actress - who's in Cannes promoting her film The Prophet - showed her support to the kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria by holding up a sign with the #BringBackOurGirls slogan on the red carpet.

She later spoke to the Telegraph about her decision. 'I've always been involved with the cause of fighting for women's rights and I took the opportunity because there were going to be so many photographers to exert pressure and remind them we want these girls back, they have to do something about it,' she said. 'Even though there is a film festival and I'm so honoured to be here and excited about my film, we don't want to forget about it for a minute.'

It seems Salma got her message across because the next day the stars of The Expendables 4 followed her lead. Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer all held up the same sign at their film's premiere on Sunday.

It's now been more than a month since the 276 girls were captured, and they have yet to be rescued. But more and more notable figures are continuing to get involved in an effort to keep focus on the crisis.

Got a tablet? Take the new look Marie Claire wherever you go, download straight to your iPad & iPhone, Kindle (just search the store for 'marie claire magazine'), Nook or Google Nexus for only £2.99.