Cannes 2025 Wraps Up Amid Controversy Over Influencer Overload and Viral Red Carpet Snub
The 2025 edition of the Cannes Film Festival has concluded, but the spotlight refuses to shift away—this time due to an unlikely subject: influencers. A viral video circulating across social media platforms showed an Indian influencer being asked to vacate the red carpet while posing for paparazzi, sparking a wave of online criticism and triggering a broader discussion about the integrity of the event.
The incident, which unfolded before an international media audience, showcased the influencer confidently striking poses, only to be swiftly escorted off the carpet. The footage quickly went viral, fueling heated debates among netizens.
Social Media Reacts
Online users didn’t hold back. One user sarcastically wrote, “It’s just the desperation to get value for money. If you pay, any Tom, Dick or Harry can go to Cannes.” Another added, “It’s an invite-only affair—how did she get there? This reminds me of the Black Book incident, the Cannes ‘rate card’ for attendees.”
A third chimed in with harsh criticism of social media culture, stating, “These influencers are pathetic. They should stick to Instagram and YouTube.”
Industry Voices Join the Chorus
Renowned director Aditya Sarpotdar, known for Munjya, also weighed in. In a strong critique of influencer culture encroaching on prestigious film events, he said, “No amount of influencers or outfits or buzz created on the red carpet will get you any acclaim as a nation. These pre-events are always designed to promote the festival, but that doesn’t define Cannes. The real soul of the festival lies in the cinema being showcased.”
His words echo a growing sentiment within the film industry—an increasing disconnect between the event’s historic identity and the circus it now appears to resemble.
Is Cannes Losing Its Essence?
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Cannes has long stood as a symbol of cinematic excellence and global glamour, marked by the presence of silver-screen legends and world-class auteurs. Yet, questions are mounting: Has the festival become more about flash than film? Why does each year bring an endless wave of fresh influencer faces while veteran filmmakers and actors appear sidelined?
The red carpet, once reserved for the crème de la crème of global cinema, now seems accessible to anyone with the right brand backing or social media following. The rise of paid entries and content creators posing as celebrities has many wondering whether Cannes is slowly trading its exclusivity for social media virality.
A Festival in Transition
Despite the debates, Cannes continues to attract significant global attention—perhaps for new reasons. While purists call for a return to cinematic focus, marketing executives and PR firms argue that influencer participation broadens the festival’s reach.
Still, the question remains: Can Cannes balance tradition with trend, prestige with popularity?
Only time—and perhaps the red carpet of Cannes 2026—will tell.
