Estonian Photographer's 15 Year Cannes Run Gets Film Treatment
The documentary premieres at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, showing the physical demands and celebrity encounters behind the red carpet lens.
By Adriana Abebe ·
Erlend Štaub has spent the last 15 years photographing stars at the Cannes Film Festival. A new documentary, A Photographer in Cannes, details that career and its physical toll. The film world premiered in the Special Screenings program of the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). Štaub also serves as the official photographer for PÖFF, where he works on the black carpet.
Director Kullar Vilmne and editor Erik Norkroos co-wrote the film. It follows Štaub through his daily routine, which includes exclusive parties, wild concerts, and late night editing sessions in Estonia. The documentary highlights the mental toughness and social skills required to maintain a presence in the high pressure world of festival photography. It also shows Štaub interacting with celebrities like Bella Hadid during his time in France.
Vilmne approached Štaub with the project idea via text message at 6 a.m. Štaub initially laughed and told the director it was not a good idea. He agreed after they met and Vilmne explained the concept. "I realized that the things that I’m doing are unbelievable to others," Štaub said. He decided to let the director proceed with the filming.
Getting camera access at Cannes required a special arrangement. Štaub noted that the festival staff helped the production team place cameras behind and in front of him on the red carpet. This setup allowed viewers to see both the photographer at work and the celebrities he was capturing. Štaub received a 13 day accreditation for the red carpet, while the filmmakers needed new access each day.
The film emphasizes the physical fitness needed to handle the stress of the job. Štaub compares his body to that of a military person due to the high pressure environment. "I’m just afraid that maybe I’m going to die on the red carpet if I am not in good shape," he said. He maintains a small gym in his home to stay prepared for the long days and nights.
At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Štaub had a memorable encounter with Vin Diesel. Diesel gave him a fist bump during a photocall. Štaub described the moment as the best day of his life. Diesel also praised the photographers and journalists, stating that they made him a real actor. The interaction underscored the mutual respect between the celebrities and the press.
Štaub values the direct connection he forms with his subjects. He aims to capture photos when people look straight into the camera. "That feels like I, the person looking at the picture, and the celebrity are the only people in the room," he said. This approach helps create a sense of intimacy and glamor for the subjects, regardless of the festival size.
