Filmmaker and musician Boots Riley has publicly commented on what he describes as repeated rejections from the Cannes Film Festival.Speaking on social media, Riley claimed that Cannes did not select his films and television projects, including his 2018 feature debut “Sorry to Bother You,” his recent crime comedy “I Love Boosters,” and his 2023 series “I’m a Virgo.

” He also noted that, in his view, the festival chose other works such as “The Idol” instead of his own projects, suggesting a pattern in their programming decisions regarding his work.Riley’s remarks came during the promotional period for his new film “I Love Boosters,” which premiered in theaters on May 22.

The film is an absurdist crime comedy centered on a group of characters who steal high-fashion items from wealthy individuals and resell them at lower prices, acting as a kind of modern Robin Hood narrative.The movie features an ensemble cast including Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, and LaKeith Stanfield.

In discussing the Cannes situation, Riley suggested that the festival “just doesn’t like” his creative style, though he expressed acceptance of the situation.

Despite not receiving selections from Cannes, his work has continued to find audiences through other major platforms and festivals, including Sundance and SXSW.

The article also notes that Neon, a frequent Cannes winner in recent years, handled the distribution of “I Love Boosters,” which premiered outside of Cannes programming.

Riley’s comments reflect ongoing conversations about festival selection processes and how unconventional or genre-blending films are evaluated by major international film events.