Cannes Maintains No Selfies Policy Despite New Partnership with Meta
Meta has entered a multi-year partnership with the Cannes Film Festival, aiming to connect social media influencers and content creators to the iconic event. However, attendees should not anticipate any changes to the festival’s strict ban on selfies at red carpet premieres.
Festival director Thierry Frémaux emphasized the separation between the festival’s creative management and its sponsorship endeavors. “I don’t deal with those issues,” Frémaux stated. “We try to keep economic constraints separate from the artistic side to keep us free and independent.” He noted that no sponsor has ever exerted pressure on the festival, referencing the case of L’Oreal as an example. Frémaux pointed out that there were no concerns regarding the film La Femme Plus Riche du Monde (The Richest Woman in the World), which is loosely inspired by the Bettencourt affair, as Liliane Bettencourt is L’Oreal’s largest shareholder.
While the selfie ban remains, there may be an innovative workaround if attendees use Meta’s glasses. This year, TikTok star Reece Feldman is set to conduct red carpet interviews with his Ray-Ban Meta glasses as a reporter for Meta.
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The Cannes Film Festival instituted the no selfie policy in 2018. Attempting to take a selfie, whether alone or with others, can result in stern reprimands from festival security.
The formal announcement of the partnership was made today as Cannes confirmed its collaboration with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Meta will operate from the Majestic Hotel throughout the festival, showcasing its platforms alongside advancements in AI and wearable technology. The Meta House will feature prominent Gen Z figures, including French filmmaker Enora Hope, fashion creator Lyas, Belgian photographer Bleg, Italian creator Matteo Varini, Spanish cinephile Ivan Hachez, London-based culture creator Zainab Jiwa, and UK fashion voices Lola Clark and Victor Kunda, as well as French basketball player Diamant Blazi.
