Cannes Film Festival has long been regarded as a highly prestigious Hollywood affair, hosting a carefully chosen selection of films for hotly-anticipated premieres.
However, in recent years the annual event has come under fire for its less than VIP guest list as social media influencers have descended on the resort town.
Though usually reserved for the Hollywood elite, an array of influencers, wannabe TV stars, reality TV personalities and models have increasingly scored tickets to the previously exclusive festival.
This year saw Hollywood stars including Cate Blanchett, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, Emma Stone and Sienna Miller all grace the red carpet.
But joining them this year were also Love Island stars Molly-Mae Hague, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Zara McDermott, presenter Rochelle Humes, socialites Nicky Hilton, Victoria Hervey and Emma Weymouth, reality TV host Maya Jama, Made In Chelsea’s Kimberley Garner and Married At First Sight star Evelyn Ellis.
A whole host of models also descended on Cannes, including Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni, Bella Hadid, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel, despite it being a Film Festival.
And it has now been alleged that the esteemed actors, directors and producers are becoming rather disgruntled about sharing their spotlight with social media personalities.
While some are questioning whether the crux of Cannes has been lost as well as its exclusive charm, with the focus no longer on the celebration of films and instead on brands, social media traction and outfits.
According to The Sun, other attendees have become furious about the change and said the film festival was now a ‘free-for-all’ and ‘depressing’.
One film insider told the publication: ‘Cannes has become a circus. You look in one direction and it’s Ekin-Su from Love Island, turn the other way and you see Molly-Mae.
‘It’s not that these celebs aren’t welcome in Cannes, it’s just the Film Festival has lost that Hollywood appeal. Everywhere you turn there is an influencer taking photos. Nothing is exclusive in Cannes any more, it’s a free-for-all.’
And beyond the red carpets were also a slew of star-studded afterparties hosted by big names like Dior, Chopard, Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli and Magnum, which were once the hottest tickets in town.
However, the source fumed: ‘Campari was chaos not class. They hosted what was billed as an exclusive party in a beach suite but they ended up giving out hundreds of wrist bands.
‘People were barging around on Boulevard de la Croisette (the main drag) and jostling to get in. There’s no glamour when someone’s got a selfie stick out.’
They also alleged that two-time Oscar winning star Kevin Costner had been caught up in the crowd of influencers snapping selfies outside the five-star hotel he was staying in.
They added: ‘Before there would be awe at the sight of Hollywood stars like him. Now ‘guests’ are more interested in how many likes they get. It’s truly depressing that Cannes has come to this.’
Cannes has spent decades building up a prestigious reputation for launching the careers of directors including Quentin Tarantino and carefully selecting films to premiere each year – many of which have gone on to secure Oscars glory.
But director Shaunak Sen, whose film All That Breathes won the coveted Golden Eye Award in 2022, has said he believes the influx of social media stars has caused people to forget what the film festival is about.
In an interview with The Quint last week, he said: ‘I have no grudge or issue at all towards anybody going there, whether it be content creators or influencers.
‘The main thing is to try to not displace attention from the central core of the festival, which is cinema. The makers of cinema need to be respected.’
Molly-Mae caused a stir with her unlikely appearance at the premiere of La Plus Precieuse Des Marchandises, walking the red carpet behind the likes of Helen Mirren and Andie MacDowell.
And fellow influencers who shot to fame on reality shows like MIC’s Kimberley and MAFS star Evelyn, also surprised onlookers as they rubbed shoulders with acting royalty at the Kinds Of Kindness premiere and the premiere of Marcello Mio respectively.
While aristocrats like the Marchioness of Bath and Lady Victoria have ensured they have regular places at Cannes over the past few years.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival came to a close on Saturday, with the talented winners finally announced.
Sean Baker was quite the star of the night as he lifted the festival’s top award, the Palme D’Or for directing Anora, and accepted the coveted prize at the iconic Grand Théâtre Lumière.
Also conquering the podium was Selena Gomez, who earned the Best Actress gong for her role in Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, sharing it with an ensemble including Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Adriana Paz – although Selena was not in attendance.
Although many odds pointed in the direction of Demi Moore – acclaimed for her competition debut The Substance – it was Emilia Perez who dominated, a Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord who transitions to a woman.
Madrid-born actress Karla Sofia, 52, who accepted the award, is the first trans actor to win a major prize at Cannes.
Further proving the success of the musical crime comedy, Emilia Perez also won Cannes’ jury prize.
It marked an unprecedentedly rare moment earning not one, but two awards, whereas prizes are usually spread around.
And Jesse Plemons won Best Actor for his ‘standout’ performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness, but the actor was also not present at the closing ceremony.
Elsewhere, The Seed of the Sacred Fig earned an emotional standing ovation and bagged Special Prize.
And although Demi didn’t earn Best Actress, the Coralie Fargeat’s body horror film The Substance – who sees the actress going to gory extremes to remain youthful – won for best screenplay.
