After last year’s backlash by film critics over changes to its screenings schedule, the Cannes Film Fest has decided to reinstate morning press screenings for movies having their gala world premieres in the evening.
But only a few hundred journalists–mainly from TV and radio outlets–will be admitted, and they will be hand-picked by the festival.
The idea behind the new arrangement is to make sure that journalists who are preparing evening TV and radio shows have enough time to do so.
Indirectly, the change is also meant to ensure that the gala world premieres at Cannes get their fair share of spotlight in mainstream media outlets.
There will also be a 5 p.m. advance screening for other journalists–more print reporters–two hours before the 7 p.m. gala premieres begin, Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux said Thursday after unveiling the official lineup of films.
But again, not all journalists will have access to those screenings. Fremaux said the festival would weed out non-reporters-critics from advance screenings.
For films premiering at 10 p.m., the press screenings will take place simultaneously, an improvement from last year.