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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

Influencers on Cannes Red Carpet Spark Debate Over Festival's Focus

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Influencers are increasingly attending the Cannes Film Festival, sparking debate about cinema's role in the event.
  • Critics question influencers' engagement with films, while some influencers argue they serve as a bridge to attract younger audiences to cinema.
  • The festival's expansion to include social media personalities highlights a shift in how visibility and cultural relevance are perceived.

Cannes Film Festival's red carpet has become a stage for social media influencers, a trend that continues to stir controversy. Figures like Tibo InShape and EnjoyPhoenix are now fixtures at the prestigious event, documenting their appearances for their followers.

What I find unfortunate with the increase of influencers going to Cannes is that they rarely take the trouble to talk about the films they have seen.

— X userCriticism of influencers at Cannes

This presence, however, draws criticism from some who feel these influencers detract from the festival's cinematic focus. Online discussions frequently lament that influencers rarely discuss the films they see, raising concerns about whether cinema remains the core of the festival.

Today, many young people no longer go to the cinema; creators must therefore be considered a bridge rather than a competitor.

— EnjoyPhoenixExplaining influencers' role at Cannes

Influencers themselves offer a different perspective. Some, like EnjoyPhoenix, view their role as a "bridge" to connect with younger audiences who may not frequent cinemas. Others, such as Seb la Frite, who premiered his documentary at Cannes, emphasize attending with a "good reason." This evolving dynamic reflects the festival's adaptation to a media landscape where social media visibility plays a significant role in cultural relevance.

I have always refused to come without a good reason. Now, I am happy to discover it because I have something to do.

— Seb la FriteOn his presence at Cannes with his documentary
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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