No matter what, it appears the 2020 Cannes Film Festival—if a miracle happens and the event can actually still be held this year—will be a very different thing, entirely. Why’s that? Well, even with Cannes trying its best to create some sort of film festival this year, the parallel sections of the event—the Directors’ Fortnight, La Semaine de la Critique (Critics’ Week), and ACID—have decided the best course of action is to just cancel.
According to organizers for the parallel sections, the French President’s recent extension on the ban on public events has made it impossible for the events to continue. This means that the Directors’ Fortnight, La Semaine de la Critique, and ACID have all decided to cancel their sections for 2020, no matter what happens to the main Cannes Film Festival.
That being said, the sections are also looking to work with the main event to figure out some way to “keep on supporting the films submitted.” Of course, as we’ve covered previously, with Cannes against the idea of an online festival, it’s unclear what form that support might take.
READ MORE: Cannes Boss Says An Online Version Of The Fest Isn’t An Option If The Event Is Canceled
“The health crisis we are all presently facing makes it impossible to anticipate the practical course of events,” the organizers said in a statement. “However, in order to support the whole film industry impacted by the current circumstances, each section, in consultation with the Cannes Film Festival, is looking at the best way to keep on supporting the films submitted to its 2020 edition.”
Yesterday, after the French President extended the ban on public events, the organizers for the Cannes Film Festival released a statement explaining that the event was exploring all options to keep the festival alive this year. Reports claim that delaying the event further into the late summer or early fall is unlikely, so many are wondering what form the festival will take. Or, of course, whether or not the 2020 Cannes Film Festival will just be outright canceled.