Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been an unprecedented year for the film industry. Not only is the theatrical release business on life-support, but the film festival season was effectively canceled from March until September, leaving a Cannes-sized hole in the hearts of cinema fans. Well, for next year’s event, Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux is taking all the necessary precautions to ensure 2021 will have a fest.
Speaking to Variety, Fremaux detailed the current plan for 2021. That is to say, the festival director explained that he’s not convinced that May 2021 will be an option and has already put in contingency plans to ensure Cannes doesn’t get canceled next year.
READ MORE: Cannes 2020 Is Back! Canceled Festival Is Revived With An October “Special” Event
“I hope with all my heart that the festival will take place in May,” Fremaux said. “[But] if Cannes does not happen in May in the conditions we hope for, we will delay. [And] if it cannot take place under the proper conditions in May, we have solutions.”
So, what are the solutions? Well, unlike this year, where Cannes was caught off guard by a global pandemic that seemed to dominate the conversation in short order and surprised us all, the festival organizers have already carved out three potential dates for the 2021 event. One of the windows is in the first half of July, another in the second half of July. The third option might be the most hectic, which would be in the second half of August. That’s right, if it’s pushed to August, we’re looking at a two-month period that could include Cannes, Venice, TIFF, and Telluride. Not sure the industry could survive that. (Only slightly kidding.)
“This is a possible eventuality that has already been worked out [with the local authorities],” Fremaux added. “We did so almost out of superstition, and hope not to use it. We’re all working under the belief that in May 2021, Cannes will be the first post-pandemic event.”
It may seem like years ago by now, but it was only months ago when Fremaux was utterly convinced that Cannes 2020 would be the first post-pandemic event. Instead, the festival was canceled and replaced with a much smaller weekend festival that is beginning soon. So, while we commend him for his optimism, we can’t help but be a little concerned that 2021 isn’t going to be much better for the French event.
As of now, Cannes is scheduled to begin on May 11, 2021.