Cannes Confirms Multi-Year Meta Deal as It Keeps 2018 Red-Carpet Selfie Ban
Updated
Updated · Deadline · May 11
Cannes Confirms Multi-Year Meta Deal as It Keeps 2018 Red-Carpet Selfie Ban
7 articles · Updated · Deadline · May 11
Thierry Frémaux said Cannes will not relax its no-selfies rule at red-carpet premieres despite the festival’s newly confirmed multi-year sponsorship deal with Meta.
Frémaux said sponsorship and programming are kept separate to protect Cannes’ artistic independence, adding no sponsor has dictated festival decisions.
Meta will operate from the Majestic Hotel during the festival, promoting Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, AI tools and wearable technology through a creator-focused Meta House.
Ray-Ban Meta glasses will still get a visible role: TikTok creator Reece Feldman is set to conduct red-carpet interviews for Meta using the smart glasses.
Cannes has enforced the selfie ban since 2018, even as the new partnership brings more influencers and creator marketing onto the Croisette.
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Cannes 2026 by the Numbers: Meta’s AI Takeover, Industry Backlash, and the Future of Film and Advertising
Overview
At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Meta took on a major sponsorship role, putting artificial intelligence at the center of the event. This move highlights the growing connection between language, film, and technology. Meta aims to empower creators and global storytelling by showcasing new AI-powered tools that help reach wider audiences and enhance creativity. Their presence at Cannes demonstrates a commitment to using AI to connect people and support creative expression, marking a new era where technology and cinema work together to shape the future of storytelling.