Cannes postponed over Coronavirus outbreak

For the past few weeks, there have been rumours about Cannes Film Festival 2020 being postponed following the Coronavirus (COVID- 19) outbreak. But it was announced on Friday that the festival has indeed been pushed to further dates. The festival was to be held between May 12 and 23. 

The Twitter and Facebook page of the festival read that due to the health crisis and the development of the French and international situation, the Festival de Cannes will no longer be able to take place on the dates planned, from May 12 to 23.

“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. Today, we have made the following decision: The Festival de Cannes cannot be held on the scheduled dates, from May 12 to 23. Several options are considered in order to preserve its running, the main one being a simple postponement, in Cannes, until the end of June — beginning of July, 2020,” read a statement on their official website. 

“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. 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,” it further read.