Having maintained a steely resistance to the idea of cancelling or even delaying the giant cinematic event, the organisers of this year's Cannes Film Festival have now announced that it will indeed be postponed.
Originally scheduled to run between 12 and 23 May this year, the event is now on hold until late June/July at the earliest – and that is just one option being considered. There will, of course, need to be a reassessment closer to that time. Aside from one cancellation during student riots in 1968, this is the only time the festival has been affected by world events since it began in 1946.
"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 organisers say 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.
"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."
The decision follows a string of festivals that have been delayed or cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus crisis. As for the film market which usually runs alongside the festival, virtual options for screenings are under consideration.