Cannes Film Festival or Fashion Festival? Upto Rs 30 lakh packages put influencers ahead of filmmakers?

Cannes Film Festival or Fashion Festival? Upto Rs 30 lakh packages put influencers ahead of filmmakers?

The Cannes Film Festival has long been a prestigious platform celebrating the best in global cinema. But in recent years, especially 2025, the red carpet looks more like a fashion runway than a filmmaker’s showcase. Influencers like Nancy Tyagi and Parul Gulati have drawn more attention than many of the films being screened—and it’s not hard to see why.

Nancy Tyagi stitched her own gown and wore a mint green creation with a dramatic train, while Parul Gulati made headlines in a bold dress made entirely from braided hair. While their creativity is impressive, one can’t help but wonder: what does all this have to do with films?

The answer lies in the booming influencer economy. Attending Cannes has now become part of a branding strategy. Special “Cannes packages” ranging from Rs 8 to Rs 30 lakh allow influencers to walk the red carpet, attend parties, and be professionally photographed. Some pay for these packages themselves, while others are sponsored by brands wanting global visibility.

Media houses like Brut India have also opened Cannes’ gates to a wider crowd. As an official media partner, Brut selects influencers and changemakers to be part of their “Brut Squad,” giving them legitimate access to the red carpet. This strategy has turned Cannes into a massive stage not just for cinema, but for content creation, brand marketing, and personal branding.

So where does this leave the filmmakers?

Unfortunately, in the shadows. While a handful of films do make headlines, the focus of mainstream media—and social media—is increasingly on “who wore what.” Scroll through Instagram during the festival, and you’ll likely see fashion highlights before film reviews. The original spirit of Cannes, which is to honour cinematic art, is slowly being drowned out by glamour and influencer culture.

Also Read: Cannes 2025: Karan Johar poses with Orry, Khushi Kapoor, Shikhar Pahariya ahead of Homebound premiere

It’s not wrong for creators to grab opportunities or for fashion to be part of the spectacle. But the growing imbalance raises questions. When creators with no connection to cinema get more attention than the actual filmmakers and their work, the essence of a film festival starts to get diluted.

Cannes isn’t just a film festival anymore—it’s a global stage where fame, fashion, and film collide. And in 2025, it’s clear: the red carpet may still be rolled out for cinema, but it’s influencers who are walking away with the spotlight.