Selfies to be banned at 2015 Cannes Film Festival? (Details)

Cannes festival organisers have unveiled an exciting mix of established and upcoming talent competing at next month’s event – as well as an informal ban on “ridiculous and grotesque” selfies.

Festival director Thierry Fremaux announced 17 films in the main competition, though two or three more will be added later. They include a handful of world heavyweights and two former Palme d’Or winners, as well as a crop of lower-profile directors.

For once, festival organisers should be spared accusations that they always call upon the usual suspects. There will be plenty of star power gracing the red carpet, with the likes of Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender and Matthew McConaughey expected on the Croisette, as Cannes is commonly known.

But, if Frémaux has it his way, none of them will be causing “traffic jams” with their selfies. “We don’t want to prohibit it, but we want to slow down the process of selfies on the steps,” he said, adding: “You never look as ugly as you do in a selfie.”

The 68th Cannes Film Festival runs from May 13 to 24.