Fans slam Cannes Film Festival event as a ‘joke’ as influencers descend on the Hollywood affair

Cannes Film Festival has long been regarded as a highly prestigious Hollywood affair, showcasing a hand-picked selection of films for highly anticipated premieres.

However, the 76th annual film festival has come under fire this year for its non-exclusive guest list as social media influencers have descended on the seaside town.

While usually reserved for the Hollywood elite, an array of influencers, wannabe TV stars, reality TV personalities and models have all walked the red carpet.

Hollywood stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence were all present, but there was also a huge list of influencers.

Love Island’s Zara McDermott, reality TV host Maya Jama, socialite Emma Weymouth and Made In Chelsea’s Kimberley Garner were all on the guest list, which is normally dominated by movie stars.

Fans took a hit at the film festival for inviting guests who don’t premiere films and calling it “a joke” for questioning why influencers were at the “enigmatic” event.

One person took to Twitter and raged, “Dream to go to Sundance and Cannes, but right now it’s like Coachella for movie influencers.”

Another tweeted: “The vast majority of people who visit Cannes are C-list celebs who don’t even premiere a movie at the festival.”

A third wrote, “The most random Insta influencers go to Cannes, this is a joke,” while a fourth said, “What exactly are influencers supposed to ‘give’ at Cannes?”

A fifth wrote, “However, I don’t know why social media influencers are crowding out Cannes,” and a sixth commented, “Cannes may not be the enigmatic it used to be.”

While another said: ‘What are Instagram influencers doing in Cannes? Isn’t it a film festival?’

Cannes has built a prestigious reputation for launching the careers of directors, including Quentin Tarantino, and carefully selecting films to premiere each year – many of which have won Oscars.

Although the ulist of Hollywood stars flocked to the annual event this year, they seemed to be outnumbered by a range of social media personalities.

A slew of models also came to Cannes, where a Versace runway was stormed by the likes of Lila Moss and Irina Shayk despite it being a film festival.

Former Love Island star Zara made her Cannes Film Festival debut last week when she attended the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

The reality TV star, 26, made sure to turn heads in a voluminous ruffled number sporting a structured corset bodice as she walked the red carpet.

Also on the Indiana Jones red carpet was The Saturdays star Rochelle, who stunned in an off-the-shoulder black dress with a plunging neckline adorned with crystals.

She joined the star-studded guest list at the Palais des Festivals for the premiere, which included Hollywood cast members Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller Bridge.

Elsewhere, socialite Emma Weymouth also showed off her glamorous sense of style as she stepped onto the red carpet for the Club Zero premiere.

The Marchioness of Bath, 37, struck the perfect chord between glitzy and sophisticated in the silver and black gown, which featured a long flowing skirt.

Made In Chelsea’s Kimberley also stormed the red carpet at the premiere of Asteroid City, starring Tom Hanks and Maya Hawke.

In addition to reality TV stars and models taking to the red carpet, they also attended a slew of parties during the festival, which ends on March 27.

Love Island host Maya Jama was spotted attending Naomi Campbell’s birthday event, BOSS Loves Naomi, and opted for a sassy white lace dress for the occasion.

Even Tallia Storm and influencer Chloe Lecareux managed to snag invites to the once-exclusive Hollywood-focused event.

Supermodel Irina Shayk was also in attendance and put on a very racy show at the festival, with guests being more daring with their outfits this year.

Showing off her incredible figure, she stepped out in a completely sheer black dress for the British Vogue and Chopard event.

The Russian model, 37, showed off her skimpy lingerie in her bold ensemble, opting for knee-high boots and a blazer to complete the look.

Speaking of the influencer-laden guest list, an insider told The Sun: ‘Cannes is becoming a circus for selfish people, not the place where film history is made.

“They banned selfies in 2018 to try and stop the decline in standards, but it seems it’s gone too far now.”

Founded in 1946, the festival is held annually, and usually in May, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

This year, 21 films compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or, the highest award awarded at the festival.

The esteemed prize was first awarded in 1955 and has subsequently been won by the likes of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Ruben Ostlund’s Triangle of Sadness.