Festival de Cannes released a statement today acknowledging that their original spring-to-summer postponement idea won’t work, and that it’s hard to see Cannes operating this year in its usual form.
They are, though, currently in talks with industry professionals to work out some version of Cannes 2020. Here’s their release in full:
“Following the French President’s statement, on Monday, April 13th, we acknowledged that the postponement of the 73rd International Cannes Film Festival, initially considered for the end of June to the beginning of July, is no longer an option.
“It is clearly difficult to assume that the Festival de Cannes could be held this year in its original form.
“Nevertheless, since yesterday evening we have started many discussions with professionals, in France and abroad. They agree that the Festival de Cannes, an essential pillar for the film industry, must explore all contingencies allowing to support the year of Cinema by making Cannes 2020 real, in a way or another.
“When the health crisis, whose resolution remains the priority of all, passes, we will have to reiterate and prove the importance of cinema and the role that its work, artists, professionals, film theatres and their audiences, play in our lives. This is how the Festival de Cannes, the Marché du Film and the parallel sections (Semaine de la Critique, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, ACID), intend to contribute. We are committed to it and we would like to thank everyone who is by our side, public officials (Cannes’ City Hall, Ministry of Culture, the CNC), industry members as well as our partners.
“Each and everyone knows that many uncertainties are still reigning over the international health situation. We hope to be able to communicate promptly regarding the shapes that this Cannes 2020 will take.”
Back in January, filmmaker Spike Lee was announced as jury president at the 73rd Festival de Cannes, which was meant to run from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 23 May 2020.
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