The 78th Cannes Film Festival, commencing on May 14, 2025, has introduced a strict no-nudity policy for its red carpet and all festival areas. It has also updated its dress code to address the trend of sheer and “nude dresses,” as reported by Variety.
The move, clarifying long-standing rules, aims to maintain decorum at one of the world’s most prestigious film events while banning voluminous outfits that disrupt guest flow.
Cannes’ updated charter explicitly states, “Nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival,” responding to recent high-profile sheer outfits, like Bianca Censori’s at the 2025 Grammys.
Halle Berry forced to change Cannes dress after film festival bans nudity https://t.co/acBIVggW3J pic.twitter.com/VemdCqNRnO
— New York Post (@nypost) May 13, 2025Press officers emphasised compliance with French law and the festival’s institutional framework, noting, “The aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity.” Additionally, oversized outfits with large trains are banned to ensure smooth traffic and seating at the Palais’ Grand Théâtre Lumière.
While nudity was never endorsed, celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have pushed boundaries with revealing attire, often flouting Cannes’ black-tie and evening-wear requirements for premieres. The festival, known for rigid red carpet control, previously banned selfies in 2018, deemed “grotesque” by director Thierry Frémaux, and occasionally enforced heel requirements. Social media posts speculate on enforcement challenges, with some users praising the policy for elegance and others decrying it as stifling fashion creativity.
Festival de Cannes 2025: la nudité et les "traînes longues" prohibées sur le tapis rougehttps://t.co/PH0hyaxpoa pic.twitter.com/atZMLTluVL
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) May 13, 2025Cannes Film Festival 2025
Cannes’ red carpet, a global stage for glamour, sets trends and draws intense scrutiny, making the dress code update significant. The 2025 festival, running through May 25, continues to uphold its prestige, focusing on cinematic excellence, but the nudity ban has shifted attention to fashion policing.
The policy aligns with efforts to streamline guest experiences, though X debates highlight tensions between artistic expression and event formality, with comparisons to past celebrity defiance.
The #CannesFilmFestival has officially banned "voluminous outfits" and nudity on the red carpet #THRNews pic.twitter.com/PSrNWaA73P
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 13, 2025The no-nudity rule reflects Cannes’ balance of tradition and modernity, navigating evolving fashion norms while maintaining its elite status. The festival’s influence on global style and film culture amplifies the policy’s impact, with potential ripple effects on other red carpets. As celebrities adapt, the focus on compliance versus creativity will shape perceptions of Cannes’ 2025 legacy, and fans eagerly await red carpet moments.
