The 78th annual Cannes Film Festival has arrived. The festival takes place on the French Riviera, where hundreds of stars gather to celebrate films as well as directors debuting new work. This year, however, a dark cloud looms over the festival as journalists are protesting new restrictions that limit their access to celebrities on the red carpet. The festival has introduced new dress codes — relatively stricter than in previous years — as celebrities are no longer allowed to wear oversized or extravagant outfits, along with a strict code against excessive skin exposure. This has not only affected attendees but also limited the media’s access to the event and their ability to cover it as freely as in the past. The motivation behind these changes, according to the festival board, is to preserve the dignity of the event while complying with French laws. However, a growing number of people see these changes as unnecessary obstacles that restrict creative and journalistic freedom.

Tensions have risen between the festival’s board and the general press. What upset reporters even more was the announcement that they could no longer interact with stars or ask questions during red carpet arrivals — something they’ve been doing for decades. This long-standing tradition has given the public a key glimpse into the exclusivity and energy behind the films.

Along with the excessive red carpet limitations, reporters are also expressing concern over reduced access to stars and filmmakers during the festival. Journalists say opportunities for interviews outside of the red carpet were already difficult to get, and with the new restrictions, access has become increasingly exclusive. These limitations indirectly favor large media outlets or influencers rather than traditional film journalists. This has raised major concerns about transparency, elitism, and a drift away from what Cannes was initially created for — a celebration of global cinema and serious critique. As Cannes picks up this week, reporters and members of the global press hope these concerns will spark broader conversations about media access and help return the press to the core of the Cannes experience.