Confirmed: Cannes 2020 not being held this summer

The organisers of the 73rd International Cannes Film Festival have confirmed that initial plans to re-schedule the global event to June/July have been shelved.

There were reports earlier that Cannes 2020 would be shifted from its original May 2020 date to mid-Summer due to coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement released by the organisers, it said, “We acknowledge 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.”

The organiser of the event said, “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.”

He added, “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 Halle, 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.”