A world premiere, red carpet screening of the Cate Blanchett film Carol at the Cannes Film Festival saw at least one woman turned away because she was wearing flat shoes rather than heels. It has been reported that one or more such women were older and with medical conditions.

Screen Daily reported that the massive annual festival did confirm the policy, that heels were mandatory not only for women who walk the red carpet but are simply in attendance at such screenings. On the other hand, the general delegate of the festival, Thierry Fremaux, characterized such incidents as rumors, saying they were “unfounded.”

He said via Twitter that the regulations “for the stairs” remain unchanged. This means formal wear only and no smoking. And, he tweeted, “no mention of heels.”

The festival’s website includes text about its dress code but no mention of the banning of flats. “Evening dress is required for gala screenings,” it says, but with no mention of heel height. The first report of such incidents was over a “regular” at the festival who wore flat shoes encrusted with rhinestones and thus denied entry to a showing.

The source, who was unnamed in the Screen Daily reportage, said that “someone I know” was kept from entering because the 50-something woman was “wearing nice flats, nothing you would wear to the beach.” She apparently was told to come back after she purchased appropriate shoes.

At least another such incident occurred at the festival. The director of a documentary on Amy Winehouse, Asif Kapadia, tweeted that his wife was “challenged” over her flats but was ultimately allowed in. Kapadia is married to the voice actress and singer Victoria Harwood.