May 16, 2025, 12:49 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
The Cannes Film Festival is a true spectacle every year. It’s not just about showcasing great films but also about the red carpet. Who makes an appearance? What are they wearing—and are they adhering to the rules? Our editor criticizes the latter.
In a place where the hedonistic lifestyle seems to have been born, there’s currently a surprising amount of censorship. Instead of nudity, the expectation now is to appear restrained and covered at France’s largest film festival. On one hand, this is understandable, given that we’re at the elegant Côte d’Azur, and the Cannes Film Festival’s dress code reflects that. On the other hand, it’s a place of creativity and supposed artistic freedom. Why is there a boundary when it comes to nudity?
Overview
Regulations at the Cannes Film Festival Are Nothing New
Newly released regulations are sparking discussions, stating that voluminous dresses with trains and nudity on the red carpet are taboo at this year’s film festival. It specifies that gala performances at the Grand Théâtre Lumière should be attended in appropriate evening wear. Alternatively, cocktail dresses, dark suits, a chic top with black pants, and—believe it or not—flat, elegant shoes (no sneakers!) are acceptable. The festival’s reception team may deny entry if someone violates the guidelines.
This isn’t the first time such rules have caused a stir. During the “Heelgate” of 2018, Kristen Stewart removed her high heels right on the red carpet and posed barefoot. Until then, it was never written that women should wear heels—though it was an unwritten rule, the refusal of which meant closed festival doors. U.S. actress Chloë Sevigny called this an “old-fashioned archaic rule” in an interview with “Vogue” and emphasized, “Women should be able to wear what they want.” At least the strict shoe censorship has been lifted in the new guidelines.
Flat Shoes? The Bare Minimum!
Well, if that’s not the so-called bare minimum. It’s probably the least that women shouldn’t have to walk around in high heels all evening! The emphasis here is on the last word: have to. While many people feel comfortable in high heels and enjoy wearing them for a few hours at one of the world’s most renowned film festivals, there are also plenty who don’t identify with or want to wear them. And that’s okay.
Because what should really matter at such an event series is the art of film. Fashion is important here, but secondary. It certainly holds significance, as it adorns directors, sound technicians, editors, and actors while photos for eternity are taken.
Once Upon a Time, a Glitter Sandal
Personally, I wouldn’t want to appear in such a photo as if I were about to cry from foot blisters. Maybe I’m just too inexperienced in enforcing misogynistic dress codes because I consciously avoid these places.
Except for that one time: I was a guest at the Cannes Film Festival. At the tender age of 16, I got to watch a gala performance here. It was exciting. I still remember how Elle Fanning waved at me. I hadn’t thought about high heels beforehand, so I bought beautiful sandals with a glittering heel for a lot of money on the same day.
They stand on the shelf today and remind me of great moments of happiness. For my 16-year-old self, this regulation was okay. I adapted and could even materialize my nostalgia in a shoe! However, I didn’t have my own art project, didn’t present anything, didn’t have to or want to embody anything, and anatomically, I was able to wear these shoes for a few hours without much pain.
In the Photo, Artist and Work Become One
Other people attend the film festival in the name of their work. They present a product into which (hopefully) a lot of money, sweat, blood, and time has been invested. And the red carpet before the grand gala performances is the moment when film teams present themselves to photographers. This snapshot is the perfect opportunity to express one’s individuality in connection with the work for which one is present.
When the film festival was founded in 1939, it was meant to be deliberately apolitical. This was a counter-reaction to the censorship of the Nazis, who exerted influence at the Venice Film Festival. Therefore, Cannes committed to revealing an alternative with artistic freedom, diversity of opinion, and humanism.
Freedom on the Cannes Film Festival Carpet, Please
This alternative is clearly reflected in the film selection. The jury does not shy away from showing works like the body horror drama “Titane” (2021), the shocker film “Antichrist” (2009) by Lars von Trier, or “Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo” (2019) by Abdellatif Kechiche, a drama with extensive sex scenes.
Why is nudity allowed in art but prohibited on the red carpet “for reasons of decency”—according to the rulebook? Aside from the individual expression and inspiring discussion around “Free the Nipple,” where women highlight the strong objectification of female bodies by baring their breasts, fashion simply means freedom.
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We Focus on Superficialities
Restricting the stars of the Cannes Film Festival by banning trendy naked dresses like those of Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid is a clear limitation of this freedom. It’s censorship—exactly what was once fought against. I want to quote Chloë Sevigny again; the dress code is “archaic,” it sets us back years.
To share another anecdote from my career in the cultural sector, I often think of the looks from opera-goers who disapprovingly eyed my sneaker and jeans combination. In their gazes, I read disdain. What they didn’t know: I had been working as an intern at the opera house since early morning to ensure the audience had a pleasant evening. There was no time to put on an evening gown and high heels. I was just happy to be there and watch the great performance. If we focused more on the art itself rather than superficialities like dress codes, the world would be a better place—whether naked, in glitter sandals, or jeans.