So a bit more about the red carpet.
That view misunderstands the role of the red carpet. The red carpet is not some moment that happens before or outside of the project, it IS the project. It's part of the performance. To be absolutely clear: this is a performance. This is not a real jury giving awards that will make a difference to the performers lives or careers. This is a performance of a jury comprised of children who would not ordinarily be attending the festival. Celebrating them with a red carpet is an interactive performance that the audience of the festival is invited to participate in. The red carpet is the show. The children walking into the theatre and being announced is the the show, the children struggling to stay focused (and failing) is the show, the children laughing at nudity is the show, the children running around the lobby and singing Nicki Manaj's Super Bass in response to Pulse Park is the show.
We're all pretending these kids are special as a performative act, an act which becomes what it says. "I now pronounce you man and wife" is just a bunch of words that makes no physical changes in the world, yet tax status changes, names change, social status changes. Lives are drastically altered.
"These children are important enough for a red carpet." Maybe if we say it enough, pretend it enough, applaud it enough it will become a little more true.
Let there be a red carpet: and there was a red carpet. And it was good.