Every May, the French Riviera transforms into a playground for the global elite. The Cannes Film Festival, once a bastion of cinematic excellence, has evolved into a platform for showcasing the best in fashion.
However, since 2024 there has been one debate surrounding Cannes - do influencers really belong at the prestigious film festival?
This year, digital creators like Masoom Minawala, Parul Gulati, and Kusha Kapila made headlines—not just for their outfits, but for the online backlash they faced. While Masoom is no stranger to the festival, having championed Indian fashion on international platforms for years, it was Kusha Kapila who drew the sharpest criticism.
Even though she made her debut in 2023, Kusha was recently trolled for her past Cannes appearance.
The criticism isn't new. Purists argue Cannes should be reserved for filmmakers, actors, and cinema artisans. They view influencer participation as a dilution of the festival’s original purpose. To them, the red carpet is a space for artistic celebration—not a backdrop for Reels, brand endorsements, or viral content.
But here's the truth: Cannes is evolving, because the media landscape has. The festival is no longer just about arthouse cinema or prestige premieres. It’s about visibility. For fashion houses, lifestyle brands, and even streaming platforms, Cannes has become a prime marketing opportunity.
And who better to amplify that message than creators with loyal digital followings?
The red carpet now serves multiple functions: it’s a celebration of film, yes—but also of storytelling in all its forms. Whether it's a critically acclaimed director premiering a film, or a fashion influencer capturing a moment for her audience, the end goal remains the same: impact.
And let’s not forget, even the so-called “traditional celebrities” are now playing the content game. Movie stars and directors are doing TikTok interviews, promoting their films through behind-the-scenes vlogs, and collaborating with influencers for brand synergy. The lines between old-school fame and new-age relevance have blurred.
So, do influencers belong at Cannes? The answer is yes—not as replacements, but as representatives of a shifting media culture. Cannes, like any legacy institution, must grow with the times. Cinema doesn’t exist in a vacuum anymore. It lives in memes, in Instagram captions, in podcast debates, and yes, in glamorous photos shot on the red carpet by creators who know how to wield a ring light and a platform.
Love it or loathe it, influencers are not gatecrashers at Cannes. They are part of the guest list. And they’re here to stay.
