Cannes Film Festival Postponed

Cate Blanchett at the "Girls of the Sun" premiere, 71st Cannes Film Festival. Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock (9669063el)

The world’s most prestigious film festival has been postponed. 

The Cannes Film Festival, which was due to start on May 12th and run until May 23rd, has been postponed.

An announcement from festival organizers has confirmed that the event will not go ahead in its traditional May slot and that several options are being considered.

“At this time of global health crisis, our thoughts go to the victims of the Covid-19, and we express our solidarity with all of those who are fighting the disease,” the organizers said in a statement.

“As soon as the development of the French and international health situation will allow us to assess the real possibility, we will make our decision known, in accordance with our ongoing consultation with the French Government and Cannes’ City Hall, as well as with the Festival’s board members, film industry professionals and all the partners of the event.”

They continued: “In the meantime, the Festival de Cannes lends its vocal support to all of those who firmly call on everyone to respect the general lockdown, and ask to show solidarity in these difficult times for the entire world.”

According to Variety, Cannes is to announce the new date for the press conference, during which the exact timings of the festival will be revealed.