Yes, 2021 is a brand-new year. And yes, this was supposed to be better than 2020, which we can all agree was a dumpster fire. However, with yesterday’s horror show in DC, let’s just say the new year isn’t starting off all that great. On a much smaller level, adding to the early drama of 2021, it’s being reported that the Cannes Film Festival might have to move from its original spring date due to the continuing issues surrounding COVID-19. Sadly, 2021 is beginning to feel ridiculously similar to 2020. Ugh.
According to France24, officials with the Cannes Film Festival said that they are evaluating their options as they decide what to do about the 2021 edition of the prestigious event. That includes the possibility of pushing the date from mid-May to sometime in late-June, early-July. That said, organizers assure fans that the event “will certainly take place in 2021.”
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Last year, we all remember the drama surrounding the will-they, won’t-they with Cannes. As COVID began its deadly march across the world, the organizers at the Cannes Film Festival seemed defiant, promising the event would take place because the film industry demanded it. Of course, it didn’t happen and the spring festival was canceled. Now, coming into 2021, organizers already said they had alternate dates on the calendar if a delay was necessary, as the COVID vaccine begins to be distributed but cases also continue to spike. Now, it appears that is becoming more and more like a reality.
That said, it doesn’t sound like Cannes is ready to make an official announcement regarding the date change. We have already heard about how Sundance and Berlin are handling this COVID-era, with both mixing in digital elements and Berlin actually splitting the festival in two. The Cannes organizers say they will “evaluate the situation at the start of the year” and then make a decision.
But at this point, it would seem highly unlikely the original May 11 start date for the 2021 Cannes Film Festival is going to happen. So, don’t run out and plan your travel arrangements just yet.