Entertainment | Cannes Film Festival Cannes' Controversial Code: High Heels Only, Ladies Women reportedly spurned for wearing flats on red carpet By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted May 19, 2015 9:07 AM CDT Copied Actress Emily Blunt poses for photographers during a photo call for the film "Sicario" at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France, Tuesday, May 19, 2015. (Lionel Cironneau) The Cannes Film Festival is coming under scrutiny for its policy of only allowing women dressed in high heels to walk the red carpet for its formal premieres. Many are criticizing the festival after Screen International reported that several middle-aged women were turned away from the Sunday premiere of Carol for wearing flats. Today, at least one actress spoke out about the matter: Emily Blunt called the report "very disappointing." The red carpet at Cannes is highly regulated by tradition: Men are expected to wear tuxedos, women dresses and heels. The dress code isn't explicitly spelled out by the festival, but it is enforced by security guards. Meanwhile, Sicario director Denis Villeneuve joked that he, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin would wear heels to the evening premiere in protest. The festival did not immediately respond to queries. Read These Next SCOTUS sounds skeptical about law banning gay conversion therapy. Felix Baumgartner's death attributed to his own error. Robin Williams' daughter: AI clips of him are 'disturbing' You might want to take mass transit instead of driving in this city. Report an error