At the May 19 premiere of Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest at Cannes, Denzel Washington rebuked a photographer who grabbed his arm on the red carpet, shouting “Stop!” before continuing down the line of cameras. Despite the tense moment, the evening ended on a high note when Washington was presented with a surprise honorary Palme d’Or for his four-decade career.

Festival officials and industry insiders note that red-carpet protocol has grown stricter in recent years, as stars and photographers navigate crowded walkways and tight schedules. Photographers’ unions stress the importance of respecting personal space—especially when dealing with screen legends like Washington—and festival organizers are weighing further guidelines to ensure both safety and spectacle at future events.

Denzel Washington confronted a photographer by the Cannes red carpet on May 19, telling him to “Stop!” after the shooter grabbed his arm during the world premiere of Highest 2 Lowest . The actor,...