Each year, the Cannes Film Festival brings a storm of glam red carpet looks, film premieres, and a whole lot of influencer content to our feeds. For many, it’s the dream: the Riviera, the red carpet, the couture. But how does one actually end up there? Can you really just buy a ticket?
The answer is well, kind of, yes. Because, as fashion critic and journalist Aishwarya Subramaniam (aka Otherwarya) puts it: “Turns out you can just buy a ticket.”
In a now-viral video, Aishwarya breaks down the many unofficial tiers of Cannes attendance with cutting accuracy and dry wit. Here’s a breakdown:
If you’re thinking of buying a ticket like it’s a concert, The official screenings and red carpet premieres are invite-only, mostly reserved for:
But Cannes is a complex machine, and there are ways to get in—some official, some… less so.
Aishwarya lays it out beautifully with what she calls her “refresher on Cannes,” dividing attendees into six hilarious and surprisingly accurate categories:
“These are the ones who actually have a film screening at the Cannes Film Festival. The directors, the actors, the producers… you are maybe actually talented,” she says.
This group is there to work. They’re walking the red carpet not as influencers, but as filmmakers with a premiere. Their days are packed with press junkets, Q&As, and (hopefully) standing ovations.
“K-listers. , , , , Juniors… They’re not there for a movie. They’re there because they’re the face of a billion-dollar brand that bought a piece of the red carpet.”
These celebs attend as brand ambassadors, often for sponsors like L’Oréal or Chopard. Their presence is part fashion statement, part marketing campaign.
“Brands pay, influencers pose, everyone loses.” (ouch)
Slightly less glam than the celebs but just as camera-ready, these influencers have landed brand deals with official festival sponsors. That deal often comes with a red carpet slot, a stylist, and a brand tag in every caption.
“They send 32 cold emails to Brute, maybe they got one reply… They pitch, they prep, they pray and sometimes they land.”
These are the hustlers. No brand backing, no movie—just determination. Some reach out to dozens of PR firms or event organizers and manage to wrangle an invite. It’s a Cannes miracle.
“They paid in full, no questions asked. They don’t have a film, they don’t have a deal, just have vibes and a black market connect.”
Yes, it happens. While not officially condoned, some people manage to purchase access through unofficial channels—usually at exorbitant prices. Legitimacy is optional. Vibes are essential.
“50 euros, one look, no shame… Not the red carpet, just a carpet.”
You’ll spot these folks on sidewalks or fake backdrops under full sun. They’re dressed for the Met Gala, but they’re not getting into the theatre. The content, however, is just as great.
Actually, yes—just not the glamorous red carpet part. Here are the official pathways to get into the festival:
A program for 18–28-year-olds who love cinema. Selected applicants attend screenings of official films (often with the filmmakers present!). You need to write a short application, and it’s very legit.
Available to students, film club members, and locals. Offers access to screenings in sidebars like Directors’ Fortnight or Critics’ Week. No red carpet access, but plenty of incredible films.
Cannes also hosts nightly open-air screenings that are free and open to the public. Yes, you can just sit and watch movies by the sea. It’s magical—and no invite required.
So, while you may not buy a literal “ticket,” there are plenty of paths in. Whether you’re aiming for the red carpet or just a front-row view from the beach, there’s room for all kinds of Cannes dreams.
