CapU Indigenous FILMBA delegate at Cannes barred from entering for wearing traditional Dene moccasins
Kelvin Redvers, a member of the CapU FILMBA delegation in Cannes, has become a change maker awakening festival organizers to Indigenous attire.
As shared in a CapU news release on May 9, 2022, a delegation of six participants from the university’s Filmmakers in Indigenous Leadership and Management Business Affairs (FILMBA) and Indigenous Digital Accelerator (IDA) programs attended the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival/Festival de Cannes in France, May 17 – 28, 2022. Kelvin Redvers, a member of the CapU FILMBA delegation in Cannes, has become a change maker awakening festival organizers to Indigenous attire.
Vancouver Sun: B.C. Indigenous filmmaker barred from Cannes red carpet for wearing moccasins steps into international spotlight
When the Dene filmmaker chose to wear moccasins, handmade by his sister, to the red carpet event, he was stopped by security for wearing shoes that did not confirm to the festival dress code, even though the dress code allows for cultural formal wear, such as Scottish kilts or Indian saris.
CBC News: Dene filmmaker turned away from Cannes red carpet for wearing moccasins
Redvers told Global News he was treated like he was “trying to steal something” after being turned away from a red carpet event at the Cannes Film Festival because he was wearing a pair of traditional moccasins.
After meeting with festival organizers, he later received an apology and was invited to wear his moccasins to a red carpet screening of Canadian director David Cronenberg's new film Crimes of the Future.
He is disappointed by how his moccasins were received, but hopes the incident will inform and educate Cannes Film Festival organizers about Indigenous formal clothing so others do not have to experience what he did in future years.
Kelvin Redvers and fellow delegate Ryan Cooper wearing Indigenous moccasins at the Cannes Film Festival after an apology from festival organizers.
Submitted by: Communications