After being criticised for the lack of women filmmakers playing at recent editions of the Cannes Film Festival, this year organisers have made efforts to bridge the gender imbalance by foregrounding women directors and producers [despite the main competition still only including two female directors]. However, in a bad PR move for the push for gender equality, a handful of women in their 50’s were turned away from the screening of Todd Haynes’ competition entry Carol...on Sunday night after being told the height of their smart footwear didn’t pass muster. Multiple guests, some older with medical conditions, were denied access to the anticipated world-premiere screening for wearing rhinestone flats. The festival declined to comment on the matter, but did confirm that it is obligatory for all women to wear high-heels to red-carpet screenings.