The 78th Cannes Film Festival has been a whirlwind of glamour, cinematic triumphs, and unexpected controversies, but no moment has captured global attention quite like the shocking incident involving Jodie Foster on May 14, 2025. The 62-year-old Hollywood icon, celebrated for her roles in The Silence of the Lambs and her recent Emmy-winning performance in True Detective: Night Country, was unceremoniously ejected from the premiere of her own film, Vie Privée, a French-language murder mystery directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. The incident, which unfolded in front of a stunned crowd at the Palais des Festivals, left fans and industry insiders reeling—until Foster revealed the truth behind her removal, exposing a deeper issue that has sparked a heated debate about power dynamics, inclusivity, and the treatment of artists at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.
A Night Meant for Celebration
Foster’s return to Cannes in 2025 was highly anticipated, marking her first major appearance at the festival since receiving the Honorary Palme d’Or in 2021 for her lifetime achievements in cinema. She was there to celebrate Vie Privée, a project that held special significance for her as a Francophile and bilingual actress. Directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski, the film stars Foster as Lilian Steiner, a renowned psychiatrist caught in a web of mystery, alongside Virginie Efira, Daniel Auteuil, and Mathieu Amalric. The movie, which premiered out of competition, had already generated buzz as one of the most exciting releases of the year, with a first look photo released in February 2025 showcasing Foster and Efira in a tense confrontation.
Dressed in a stunning cream-colored gown with subtle silver accents—a nod to her elegant appearance at the 2021 Cannes premiere of Annette—Foster arrived at the Palais des Festivals with her wife, Alexandra Hedison, by her side. The couple, who rarely make public appearances together, shared a tender moment on the red carpet, reminiscent of their affectionate display at the 2021 festival, where they were spotted kissing in the audience. Foster, known for her private nature, seemed at ease, smiling for photographers and greeting fans with the warmth that has endeared her to audiences for over six decades.
The premiere was set to be a crowning moment for Foster, who has a deep connection to French cinema and had expressed her excitement about working on a French-language film again, having previously starred in Un long dimanche de fiançailles in 2004. But as she entered the venue, the evening took a dramatic and unexpected turn.
A Shocking Ejection
As Foster and Hedison made their way into the theater, a festival official approached them, speaking in hushed but urgent tones. Witnesses reported that the official appeared flustered, gesturing toward the entrance and shaking his head. Within moments, Foster’s expression shifted from confusion to disbelief as she and Hedison were escorted out of the venue, despite protests from her team. The crowd outside, including journalists and fans, watched in stunned silence as the actress was led away from her own premiere, the doors closing behind her.
The incident immediately sparked a frenzy on social media, with attendees posting videos and photos of the moment. “Jodie Foster just got kicked out of her own premiere at Cannes—what is happening?!” one user wrote on X, while another speculated, “Did she break some kind of festival rule? This is insane!” Rumors began to swirl, with some suggesting that Foster had arrived late or violated a new, controversial dress code rumored to have been implemented at Cannes 2025, which had already drawn criticism for its strict guidelines on attire.
For nearly an hour, the reason for Foster’s removal remained a mystery, fueling speculation and outrage among her fans. Inside the theater, the screening of Vie Privée proceeded without its lead actress, leaving a palpable void. Zlotowski, visibly shaken, addressed the audience briefly, saying, “Jodie should be here with us tonight. This is her film as much as it is mine.” The film received a warm reception, earning a seven-minute standing ovation, but the absence of Foster cast a shadow over the celebration.
The Truth Revealed
It wasn’t until the following morning, May 15, 2025, that Foster broke her silence, revealing the truth behind her ejection in a press conference originally scheduled to discuss Vie Privée. Standing alongside Zlotowski and Efira, Foster appeared composed but resolute, her voice steady as she addressed the room full of journalists. “Last night was supposed to be a celebration of this beautiful film, but instead, I was removed from the premiere because of a decision I made to stand up for what I believe in,” she began, her words sending a ripple of anticipation through the crowd.
Foster went on to explain that the incident stemmed from a disagreement over the festival’s treatment of a young actress who had been invited to attend the premiere as part of the Vie Privée cast. The actress, 19-year-old Luana Bajrami, who plays a supporting role in the film, had been denied entry to the event due to what festival officials claimed was a “scheduling error.” However, Foster revealed that the real reason was far more troubling: Bajrami, who is of Albanian descent, had faced discriminatory remarks from a festival staff member about her background, and her invitation was rescinded at the last minute as a result.
“I found out about this just before the premiere,” Foster said, her voice tinged with emotion. “Luana is a talented young woman who worked hard on this film, and she deserved to be there. When I confronted the festival organizers and demanded that she be allowed in, they told me I was ‘causing a disturbance’ and asked me to leave. I refused to stay silent, and so they escorted me out.”
The room fell silent as Foster’s words sank in. She continued, “I’ve been coming to Cannes since I was 13 years old, and it’s a place that has changed my life. But I cannot stand by when I see injustice, especially toward someone so young and vulnerable in this industry. If celebrating my film means ignoring that, then I’d rather not be there at all.”
A Stand That Resonates
Foster’s revelation sent shockwaves through the festival, prompting an immediate response from Cannes organizers, who issued a statement claiming the incident was a “misunderstanding” and that they were “investigating the matter.” But the damage was done. Bajrami, who joined the press conference via video call, tearfully thanked Foster for her support, saying, “Jodie didn’t just stand up for me—she stood up for every young actor who feels like they don’t belong in spaces like this. I’ll never forget that.”
The incident reignited discussions about inclusivity and discrimination in the film industry, with many pointing to Cannes’ history of controversies, including criticism over its lack of diversity in past years. Social media erupted with support for Foster, with hashtags like #JodieStandsUp and #Cannes2025 trending worldwide. Fans praised her for using her platform to advocate for a young actress, with one X user writing, “Jodie Foster getting kicked out of her own premiere to stand up for a young actress facing discrimination—this is why she’s a legend.” Industry peers also rallied behind her, with actress Annette Bening, who worked with Foster on Nyad, stating, “Jodie’s integrity is unmatched. She’s a true leader in this industry.”
For Foster, the incident was a stark reminder of the challenges she faced as a young actress herself. Having started her career at the age of three, she has often spoken about the pressures of child stardom, including the traumatic experience of being stalked by John Hinckley Jr. in 1981 after her role in Taxi Driver. Her advocacy for young actors has been a recurring theme in her career, as seen in her recent documentary Letters to Alicia, which addresses the need for better protections for child performers.
A Legacy of Courage
The fallout from the incident has cast a spotlight on Foster’s unwavering commitment to her principles, even at the cost of her own moment in the sun. Vie Privée has since received glowing reviews, with critics praising Foster’s performance as Lilian Steiner as “captivating” and “a masterclass in subtlety.” But for many, the true story of Cannes 2025 is not the film itself, but the courage Foster displayed in standing up for what she believes in.
As the festival draws to a close, Foster’s actions have left an indelible mark, prompting calls for greater accountability and inclusivity in the industry. In her closing remarks at the press conference, Foster reflected on the incident with her characteristic grace. “I didn’t come to Cannes to make a scene,” she said. “I came to share a story that matters to me. But if telling the truth means causing a stir, then I’ll do it every time.” With that, Jodie Foster once again proved why she remains one of Hollywood’s most respected figures—a woman whose legacy is defined not just by her talent, but by her unyielding integrity.
