Many directors would have been devastated when their plans to show their first feature at the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-may-get-cancelled-if-covid-19-situation-doesnt-improve-285859"> Cannes Film Festival</a> were wrecked by the spread of COVID-19. 
 
But Lebanon's Jimmy Keyrouz said he took heart from the themes of his movie 'Broken Keys', which tells its own story of finding hope in the midst of disaster.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/from-parasite-to-the-pianist-cannes-film-festival-winners-you-can-stream-at-home-298901" hreflang="en">From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home</a> 
 
The film follows a young man called Karim living somewhere in Iraqi and Syrian territory occupied by Islamic State militants and dreaming of escaping to Europe to become a musician. 
 
At the start of the film, the fighters smash up his piano. He then tries to rebuild the instrument to sell it to fund his journey. "If I was to summarise the spirit of the film in one sentence or saying I would say: `Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass - it`s about learning to dance in the rain," Keyrouz told the news agency.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/Priyanka%20Chopra%20to%20Deepika%20Padukone%3A%20A%20look%20back%20at%20Cannes%202019%20red%20carpet-298850" hreflang="en">Priyanka Chopra to Deepika Padukone: A look back at Cannes 2019 red carpet</a> 
 
"I guess it sums up the film pretty well and sums up our situation. You just gotta keep working, keep moving forward."&nbsp; Keyrouz said he filmed part of 'Broken Keys'&nbsp;in the Iraqi city of Mosul. "We filmed in the last area that ISIS (Islamic State) fought, and even there in some places, we smelled ... dead bodies under the rubble." 
 
Cannes chose the film for its 2020 lineup, alongside works by Wes Anderson and other star directors. 
But the world`s biggest cinema showcase, usually held in May on the French Riviera, called off its events during the lockdown. 
 
Organisers this month published the list of their 56-film line-up, saying they still wanted to use the festival`s cachet to help promote the movies. 
 
"I can only be very happy and grateful for Cannes to have supported and selected the film, despite not having the festival," Keyrouz said, adding that he was still hoping to start releasing the film later this year.

Many directors would have been devastated when their plans to show their first feature at the Cannes Film Festival were wrecked by the spread of COVID-19. But Lebanon's Jimmy Keyrouz said he took heart from the themes of his movie 'Broken Keys', which tells its own story of finding hope in the midst of disaster.

Many directors would have been devastated when their plans to show their first feature at the Cannes Film Festival were wrecked by the spread of COVID-19. But Lebanon's Jimmy Keyrouz said he took heart from the themes of his movie 'Broken Keys', which tells its own story of finding hope in the midst of disaster. In pics: From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home The film follows a young man called Karim living somewhere in Iraqi and Syrian territory occupied by Islamic State militants and dreaming of escaping to Europe to become a musician. At the start of the film, the fighters smash up his piano. He then tries to rebuild the instrument to sell it to fund his journey. "If I was to summarise the spirit of the film in one sentence or saying I would say: `Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass - it`s about learning to dance in the rain," Keyrouz told the news agency. In pics: Priyanka Chopra to Deepika Padukone: A look back at Cannes 2019 red carpet "I guess it sums up the film pretty well and sums up our situation. You just gotta keep working, keep moving forward." Keyrouz said he filmed part of 'Broken Keys' in the Iraqi city of Mosul. "We filmed in the last area that ISIS (Islamic State) fought, and even there in some places, we smelled ... dead bodies under the rubble." Cannes chose the film for its 2020 lineup, alongside works by Wes Anderson and other star directors. But the world`s biggest cinema showcase, usually held in May on the French Riviera, called off its events during the lockdown. Organisers this month published the list of their 56-film line-up, saying they still wanted to use the festival`s cachet to help promote the movies. "I can only be very happy and grateful for Cannes to have supported and selected the film, despite not having the festival," Keyrouz said, adding that he was still hoping to start releasing the film later this year.

Lebanese film director Jimmy Keyrouz keeps faith after COVID-19 dashes Cannes dreams

The Official Selection for this year’s Cannes Film Festival will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-2020-to-unveil-lineup-next-week-301903">release today</a> evening as artistic director Thierry Fremaux reveals there will be quite a few changes from past years. His speech reveals about the makeup of this year’s lineup without revealing titles.&nbsp;

Cannes Film Festival will announce titles in categories of Competition, Un Certain Regard, Out Of Competition, Midnight Screenings, or Special Screenings, in one single list. Theirry thus announced: “We will therefore let you…forge your own opinion about the ideal Cannes 2020 program, and which movies would best fit each category.”

Cannes 2020 was to take place in May in its 73rd edition but was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, there are plans of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-to-collaborate-with-venice-film-festival-to-host-a-joint-event-in-september-293208">clubbing with other film festivals like Venice</a> or Toronto and others to showcase films.&nbsp;

Among key changes, there will be a record 15 first films compared to 10 last year.&nbsp;

A total of 532 female directors submitted their film to the Official Selection compared to 575 female directors registered in 2019 but there is an increase of women directors chosen for the Official Selection with 16 female directors in the lineup, up from 14 last year. In percentage, this number is 28.5% of the selection, higher than last year (23.7%) and, higher than the percentage of female directors submitting movies to the Selection.

On this Thierry says: “This growing number of female directors in the selection is the result of an evolution observed for several years. It testifies, in number and in value, to the artistic and human contribution of women in contemporary cinema, whether they are directors or technicians.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nfdc-film-bazaar-ties-up-with-cannes-for-first-online-edition-from-june-22-23-302625">NFDC Film Bazaar ties up with Cannes for first online edition from June 22-23</a>

Also, there is a “wider selection” of nationalities this year, but also a particularly large contingent of French films: “Alongside countries always well represented on the Croisette (USA, South Korea, Japan, UK), as well as rare or new territories (Bulgaria, Georgia, Congo), the 2020 crop distinguishes itself by a strong French selection. Each year, Cannes presents between 10 and 15 French films. This year we have 21 French films, 5 more than in 2017, 11 more than in 2018 and 8 more than in 2019….among these 21 French films, where a new generation of actors explodes, 8 are directed by women, that is 38% of the total and 9 are first films (42%), two figures pointing to the future.”

On the future, he says, “The Cannes Film Festival will soon unveil how it will operate next fall. Traditionally, successive festivals such as Locarno, Telluride, Toronto, Deauville, San Sebastian, Pusan, Morelia, Angoulême (for French cinema), New York, Rome, Rio, Tokyo, Mumbaï or Mar del Plata and even Sundance have invited the films of the Official Selection. They will do it again this year with the active support of Cannes and its teams.”

<h1 title="title"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/Priyanka%20Chopra%20to%20Deepika%20Padukone%3A%20A%20look%20back%20at%20Cannes%202019%20red%20carpet-298850">Priyanka Chopra to Deepika Padukone: A look back at Cannes 2019 red carpet</a></h1>

<h1 title="title"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-parasite-to-the-pianist-cannes-film-festival-winners-you-can-stream-at-home-298901">From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home</a></h1>

The Official Selection for this year’s Cannes Film Festival will release today evening as artistic director Thierry Fremaux reveals there will be quite a few changes from past years.

The Official Selection for this year’s Cannes Film Festival will release today evening as artistic director Thierry Fremaux reveals there will be quite a few changes from past years. His speech reveals about the makeup of this year’s lineup without revealing titles. Cannes Film Festival will announce titles in categories of Competition, Un Certain Regard, Out Of Competition, Midnight Screenings, or Special Screenings, in one single list. Theirry thus announced: “We will therefore let you…forge your own opinion about the ideal Cannes 2020 program, and which movies would best fit each category.” Cannes 2020 was to take place in May in its 73rd edition but was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, there are plans of clubbing with other film festivals like Venice or Toronto and others to showcase films. Among key changes, there will be a record 15 first films compared to 10 last year. A total of 532 female directors submitted their film to the Official Selection compared to 575 female directors registered in 2019 but there is an increase of women directors chosen for the Official Selection with 16 female directors in the lineup, up from 14 last year. In percentage, this number is 28.5% of the selection, higher than last year (23.7%) and, higher than the percentage of female directors submitting movies to the Selection. On this Thierry says: “This growing number of female directors in the selection is the result of an evolution observed for several years. It testifies, in number and in value, to the artistic and human contribution of women in contemporary cinema, whether they are directors or technicians.” NFDC Film Bazaar ties up with Cannes for first online edition from June 22-23 Also, there is a “wider selection” of nationalities this year, but also a particularly large contingent of French films: “Alongside countries always well represented on the Croisette (USA, South Korea, Japan, UK), as well as rare or new territories (Bulgaria, Georgia, Congo), the 2020 crop distinguishes itself by a strong French selection. Each year, Cannes presents between 10 and 15 French films. This year we have 21 French films, 5 more than in 2017, 11 more than in 2018 and 8 more than in 2019….among these 21 French films, where a new generation of actors explodes, 8 are directed by women, that is 38% of the total and 9 are first films (42%), two figures pointing to the future.” On the future, he says, “The Cannes Film Festival will soon unveil how it will operate next fall. Traditionally, successive festivals such as Locarno, Telluride, Toronto, Deauville, San Sebastian, Pusan, Morelia, Angoulême (for French cinema), New York, Rome, Rio, Tokyo, Mumbaï or Mar del Plata and even Sundance have invited the films of the Official Selection. They will do it again this year with the active support of Cannes and its teams.” Priyanka Chopra to Deepika Padukone: A look back at Cannes 2019 red carpet From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home

More women filmmakers to varied nationalities, Cannes director reveals key changes in this year's film festival

The Cannes Film Festival will unveil its lineup next week for Cannes 2020. As we informed you before, the film festival will not happen standalone like previous years owing to the coronavirus outbreak but will club with other film festivals like Venice Film Festival and the likes.&nbsp;

The new selection has been made after this announcement was made. The Cannes' artistic director Thierry Frémaux will curate some 50 titles for the Cannes 2020 label, which will screen at partner festivals later in the year.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thierry Frémaux said that the alternative event could end up looking a lot like the Cannes that never was.

Many of the year's art house and indie titles&nbsp;including Wes Anderson's ‘The French Dispatch’, Apichatpong Weerasethakul's ‘Memoria’, Naomi Kawase's ‘Comes Morning’ and Thomas Vinterberg’s pro-drinking drama ‘Another Round’&nbsp;are expected to be among the Cannes 2020 lineup, which Frémaux will unveil June 3 at 6 p.m. local time.&nbsp;

The announcement will be carried live on French pay-TV channel Canal+ as well as on the Cannes website and on its social media accounts.

Currently there is no news if the films will be screened. While there has been speculation, Cannes and Venice have yet to confirm a collaboration that would see the Italian festival, which takes place in September 2-12, screen Cannes 2020 titles in addition to its own lineup.&nbsp;

The other fests like Toronto, Busan, San Sebastian and New York can also be considered.&nbsp;

The Cannes Film Festival will unveil its lineup next week for Cannes 2020. As we informed you before, the film festival will not happen standalone like previous years owing to the coronavirus outbreak but will club with other film festivals like Venice Film Festival and the likes.

The Cannes Film Festival will unveil its lineup next week for Cannes 2020. As we informed you before, the film festival will not happen standalone like previous years owing to the coronavirus outbreak but will club with other film festivals like Venice Film Festival and the likes. The new selection has been made after this announcement was made. The Cannes' artistic director Thierry Frémaux will curate some 50 titles for the Cannes 2020 label, which will screen at partner festivals later in the year. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thierry Frémaux said that the alternative event could end up looking a lot like the Cannes that never was. Many of the year's art house and indie titles including Wes Anderson's ‘The French Dispatch’, Apichatpong Weerasethakul's ‘Memoria’, Naomi Kawase's ‘Comes Morning’ and Thomas Vinterberg’s pro-drinking drama ‘Another Round’ are expected to be among the Cannes 2020 lineup, which Frémaux will unveil June 3 at 6 p.m. local time. The announcement will be carried live on French pay-TV channel Canal+ as well as on the Cannes website and on its social media accounts. Currently there is no news if the films will be screened. While there has been speculation, Cannes and Venice have yet to confirm a collaboration that would see the Italian festival, which takes place in September 2-12, screen Cannes 2020 titles in addition to its own lineup. The other fests like Toronto, Busan, San Sebastian and New York can also be considered.

Cannes 2020 to unveil lineup next week

Uggie, the Jack Russell whose antics in Oscar-winning film 'The Artist'&nbsp;stole viewers&nbsp;hearts, was crowned Palm Dog of Palm Dogs on Friday, singled out as the best canine winner in the award's 20-year history. 
 
"Uggie would be very proud of that," said his trainer Omar von Muller, as he accepted the trophy collar from his home in Los Angeles, flanked by Uggie`s body double in the film, Dash. 
 
Uggie, who in 2011 won the Palm Dog award for best performance by a dog in a movie screened at Cannes, died in 2015 aged 13. 
 
He hit the big time after starring as French actor Jean Dujardin`s cute sidekick in the black and white film, which tells of a silent star whose career dives as talking pictures take over Hollywood.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/films-that-had-prominent-characters-don-masks-way-before-coronavirus-scare-300400" hreflang="en">Films that had prominent characters don masks way before coronavirus scare</a> 
 
Uggie became the first dog to leave his prints beside the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable in front of Hollywood’s Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and appeared on television chat shows as well as attending the Golden Globes and Oscar ceremonies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/esai-morales-replaces-nicholas-hoult-as-villain-in-mission-impossible-7-300384" hreflang="en">Esai Morales replaces Nicholas Hoult as villain in ‘Mission: Impossible 7’</a> 
 
Lockdown may have put paid to this year`s Cannes Film Festival, but Toby Rose, the organiser of the Palm Dog award, usually bestowed during the glamorous festival in France, was determined it should go ahead.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-sophie-turner-joe-jonas-to-gigi-hadid-zayn-malik-celebrity-couples-expecting-babies-this-year-300188" hreflang="en">From Sophie Turner-Joe Jonas to Gigi Hadid-Zayn Malik, celebrity couples expecting babies this year</a> 
 
"It is the foremost and paw-most awards for dogs on the big screen... it has only got bigger and bigger, and when last year Quentin Tarantino sashayed into the room and took the collar with great pride and enthusiasm, then I thought that says that Palm Dog is on the map," said Rose. 
 
Last year the Palm Dog went to Brandy, the pit bull belonging to Brad Pitt`s character Cliff Booth in Tarantino's Oscar-winning 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'. 
 
This year's Palm Dog jury, composed of leading film critics, concluded Uggie had given the ultimate big-screen performance by a dog of the last 20 years.

Uggie, the Jack Russell whose antics in Oscar-winning film 'The Artist' stole viewers hearts, was crowned Palm Dog of Palm Dogs on Friday, singled out as the best canine winner in the award's 20-year history.

Uggie, the Jack Russell whose antics in Oscar-winning film 'The Artist' stole viewers hearts, was crowned Palm Dog of Palm Dogs on Friday, singled out as the best canine winner in the award's 20-year history. "Uggie would be very proud of that," said his trainer Omar von Muller, as he accepted the trophy collar from his home in Los Angeles, flanked by Uggie`s body double in the film, Dash. Uggie, who in 2011 won the Palm Dog award for best performance by a dog in a movie screened at Cannes, died in 2015 aged 13. He hit the big time after starring as French actor Jean Dujardin`s cute sidekick in the black and white film, which tells of a silent star whose career dives as talking pictures take over Hollywood. In pics: Films that had prominent characters don masks way before coronavirus scare Uggie became the first dog to leave his prints beside the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable in front of Hollywood’s Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and appeared on television chat shows as well as attending the Golden Globes and Oscar ceremonies. Also read: Esai Morales replaces Nicholas Hoult as villain in ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ Lockdown may have put paid to this year`s Cannes Film Festival, but Toby Rose, the organiser of the Palm Dog award, usually bestowed during the glamorous festival in France, was determined it should go ahead. In pics: From Sophie Turner-Joe Jonas to Gigi Hadid-Zayn Malik, celebrity couples expecting babies this year "It is the foremost and paw-most awards for dogs on the big screen... it has only got bigger and bigger, and when last year Quentin Tarantino sashayed into the room and took the collar with great pride and enthusiasm, then I thought that says that Palm Dog is on the map," said Rose. Last year the Palm Dog went to Brandy, the pit bull belonging to Brad Pitt`s character Cliff Booth in Tarantino's Oscar-winning 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'. This year's Palm Dog jury, composed of leading film critics, concluded Uggie had given the ultimate big-screen performance by a dog of the last 20 years.

Terrier Uggie from 'The Artist' crowned best Cannes movie mutt

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world’s biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park.

As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family run-arounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows, to watch Steven Spielberg’s 1980s Classic ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’.

With cinemas, theatres and restaurants still closed as France cautiously unwinds its coronavirus lockdown, people were content to watch a movie outdoors on a balmy evening on the Mediterranean coast.

“You’ve got to make the most of the moment. It makes up for things a bit,” said one woman. She had driven to the Palm Beach with her grown-up son, who sat next to her wearing a face mask.

The 51 vehicles allowed to the screening were parked in every other space and staff wearing face-shields scanned barcodes on tickets.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cannes-2020-10-movies-that-were-supposed-to-screen-at-this-years-festival-293415">In Pictures:&nbsp;Cannes 2020: 10 movies that were supposed to screen at this year's festival</a>

The Cannes Film Festival was originally scheduled to take place from May 12-23. Beyond the star-studded screenings, production and distribution firms head to the Cote d’Azur to complete deals.

It is not the first time the festival has been postponed. Its inaugural event in 1939 was cut short after the opening screening of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame” because of Germany’s invasion of Poland the next day.

It was also interrupted in May 1968 as a student revolt and labour protests swept across France.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-parasite-to-the-pianist-cannes-film-festival-winners-you-can-stream-at-home-298901">In Pictures:&nbsp;From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home</a>

Cannes mayor David Lisnard said it was the town’s way of paying homage to cinema, and to show that “we miss the movies.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-to-not-go-virtual-will-team-up-with-other-movie-galas-to-show-selected-films-298175">Cannes Film Festival to not go virtual, will team up with other movie galas to show selected films</a>

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world’s biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park.

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world’s biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park. As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family run-arounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows, to watch Steven Spielberg’s 1980s Classic ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’. With cinemas, theatres and restaurants still closed as France cautiously unwinds its coronavirus lockdown, people were content to watch a movie outdoors on a balmy evening on the Mediterranean coast. “You’ve got to make the most of the moment. It makes up for things a bit,” said one woman. She had driven to the Palm Beach with her grown-up son, who sat next to her wearing a face mask. The 51 vehicles allowed to the screening were parked in every other space and staff wearing face-shields scanned barcodes on tickets. In Pictures: Cannes 2020: 10 movies that were supposed to screen at this year's festival The Cannes Film Festival was originally scheduled to take place from May 12-23. Beyond the star-studded screenings, production and distribution firms head to the Cote d’Azur to complete deals. It is not the first time the festival has been postponed. Its inaugural event in 1939 was cut short after the opening screening of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame” because of Germany’s invasion of Poland the next day. It was also interrupted in May 1968 as a student revolt and labour protests swept across France. In Pictures: From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home Cannes mayor David Lisnard said it was the town’s way of paying homage to cinema, and to show that “we miss the movies.” Cannes Film Festival to not go virtual, will team up with other movie galas to show selected films

Popcorn, palm trees and face masks: Cannes rolls out drive-in cinema

The organisers of the Cannes Film Festival have ruled out the possibility of a physical movie gala, while hinting that they will join hands with other festivals slated to be held later this year.

The 73rd edition of the premier festival had already been postponed from its original mid-May dates to late June and early July.

According to Variety, the annual event will unveil a selection of movies early June and collaborate with several festivals, including Venice, to present some films.

"As of today, a physical edition seems complicated to organize, so we are going forward with an announcement of films from the (initial Official) selection at the beginning of June," said a spokesperson for the festival, confirming what Cannes' director Thierry Fremaux said on Sunday in an interview with Screen Daily.

Instead of going virtual, the festival will be organising a "redeployment 'outside the walls' (of Cannes), in collaboration with fall festivals", the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the selection process for next year's festival will start in the autumn. Some movies that were selected for this edition and have delayed their release by a year will be considered for the 2021 edition.

Cannes will be showing its "labeled" films at festivals such as Toronto, Deauville, Angouleme, San Sebastian, New York, Busan and Fremaux’s own Lumiere festival in Lyon.

Fremaux added the idea with Venice was to go further and jointly present movies.

The Cannes Marche du Film's virtual edition is due to run June 22-26, alongside a US agencies-led virtual market.

The organisers of the Cannes Film Festival have ruled out the possibility of a physical movie gala, while hinting that they will join hands with other festivals slated to be held later this year.

The organisers of the Cannes Film Festival have ruled out the possibility of a physical movie gala, while hinting that they will join hands with other festivals slated to be held later this year. The 73rd edition of the premier festival had already been postponed from its original mid-May dates to late June and early July. According to Variety, the annual event will unveil a selection of movies early June and collaborate with several festivals, including Venice, to present some films. "As of today, a physical edition seems complicated to organize, so we are going forward with an announcement of films from the (initial Official) selection at the beginning of June," said a spokesperson for the festival, confirming what Cannes' director Thierry Fremaux said on Sunday in an interview with Screen Daily. Instead of going virtual, the festival will be organising a "redeployment 'outside the walls' (of Cannes), in collaboration with fall festivals", the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, the selection process for next year's festival will start in the autumn. Some movies that were selected for this edition and have delayed their release by a year will be considered for the 2021 edition. Cannes will be showing its "labeled" films at festivals such as Toronto, Deauville, Angouleme, San Sebastian, New York, Busan and Fremaux’s own Lumiere festival in Lyon. Fremaux added the idea with Venice was to go further and jointly present movies. The Cannes Marche du Film's virtual edition is due to run June 22-26, alongside a US agencies-led virtual market.

Cannes Film Festival to not go virtual, will team up with other movie galas to show selected films

Cannes 2020: 10 movies that were supposed to screen at this year's festival

There has been a lot of to and fro around Cannes 2020 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-will-not-be-held-in-its-in-original-form-organisers-292552">getting postponed or cancelled</a> amid the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier, the film festival was announced to have been postponed for time being but according to a new statement, the organisers have acknowledged 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."

As two important sidebars of the Festival&nbsp;– Critics' Week and Directors' Fortnight have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-2020-directors-fortnight-and-critics-week-canceled-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-292790">called it quits this year,</a> it seems like Cannes has the option of going digital this year as a cancellation would result into a huge blow to the world cinema as producers and directors use the platform to premiere their films.

But Festival Chief Thierry Fremaux revealed that he has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-wont-go-virtual-if-all-else-fails-confirms-director-fremaux-291393">no plans of going digital.&nbsp;</a>

In an interview, Fremaux said, “Cannes wants to be present in the fall to contribute to the industry and the reopening of theatres There are beautiful films coming to us from the entire world; we must and we want to shine a light on them so that they can reach an audience when the time comes for their releases this fall. The cinema and its industries are threatened. We will have to rebuild, affirm again its importance with energy, unity and solidarity.”

He added, “I believe that when life will start again, the theatres, the movies will have key roles to play with the public.”

He also revealed that he is currently in talks with Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera, so as to combine their festivals and hold it together in September. He said, "As every year, I speak a lot to (Venice director) Alberto Barbera, who is himself worried, obviously. Since the beginning of the crisis, we have raised the possibility of doing something together if Cannes was cancelled. We’re continuing to discuss it. Other festivals have invited us: Locarno, San Sebastian, Deauville. These are gestures that touch us a lot. And in Lyon, at the Lumiere Festival (in October), we have planned to host a number of world premieres as part of the programme”.

There has been a lot of to and fro around Cannes 2020 getting postponed or cancelled amid the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier, the film festival was announced to have been postponed for time being but according to a new statement, the organisers have acknowledged 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.

There has been a lot of to and fro around Cannes 2020 getting postponed or cancelled amid the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier, the film festival was announced to have been postponed for time being but according to a new statement, the organisers have acknowledged 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." As two important sidebars of the Festival – Critics' Week and Directors' Fortnight have called it quits this year, it seems like Cannes has the option of going digital this year as a cancellation would result into a huge blow to the world cinema as producers and directors use the platform to premiere their films. But Festival Chief Thierry Fremaux revealed that he has no plans of going digital. In an interview, Fremaux said, “Cannes wants to be present in the fall to contribute to the industry and the reopening of theatres There are beautiful films coming to us from the entire world; we must and we want to shine a light on them so that they can reach an audience when the time comes for their releases this fall. The cinema and its industries are threatened. We will have to rebuild, affirm again its importance with energy, unity and solidarity.” He added, “I believe that when life will start again, the theatres, the movies will have key roles to play with the public.” He also revealed that he is currently in talks with Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera, so as to combine their festivals and hold it together in September. He said, "As every year, I speak a lot to (Venice director) Alberto Barbera, who is himself worried, obviously. Since the beginning of the crisis, we have raised the possibility of doing something together if Cannes was cancelled. We’re continuing to discuss it. Other festivals have invited us: Locarno, San Sebastian, Deauville. These are gestures that touch us a lot. And in Lyon, at the Lumiere Festival (in October), we have planned to host a number of world premieres as part of the programme”.

Cannes to collaborate with Venice Film Festival to host a joint event in September?

After weeks of deliberation, the organisers of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival have decided to cancel the two main sections that run alongside the Cannes Film Festival -- Directors` Fortnight and Critics Week - due to coronavirus pandemic. 
 
The joint decision was taken following France`s ban on events with large gatherings until mid-July. 
 
"The Directors` Fortnight, La Semaine de la Critique and ACID regret to announce the cancellation of their 2020 editions in Cannes," a statement released by the officials said. 
 
"The health crisis we are all presently facing makes it impossible to anticipate the practical course of events," the release further read. 
 
However, "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," added the release. 
 
While many of the major events across the world have been canceled due to the pandemic, organisers at Cannes are looking at virtual options. 
 
A plan for a virtual version of the Cannes film market, the Marche du Film, might be going ahead in June. 
 
The Marche du Film is now setting up a full-on virtual market from June 22-28, confirmed Variety. 
 
Jerome Paillard, head of the Marche du Film, is to communicate details about the virtual market on Friday. 
 
However, on April 8, The Cannes film festival director Thierry Fremaux had stated that the major event won`t take the virtual route if it can`t be hosted as a physical event.

After weeks of deliberation, the organisers of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival have decided to cancel the two main sections that run alongside the Cannes Film Festival -- Directors` Fortnight and Critics Week - due to coronavirus pandemic.

After weeks of deliberation, the organisers of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival have decided to cancel the two main sections that run alongside the Cannes Film Festival -- Directors` Fortnight and Critics Week - due to coronavirus pandemic. The joint decision was taken following France`s ban on events with large gatherings until mid-July. "The Directors` Fortnight, La Semaine de la Critique and ACID regret to announce the cancellation of their 2020 editions in Cannes," a statement released by the officials said. "The health crisis we are all presently facing makes it impossible to anticipate the practical course of events," the release further read. However, "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," added the release. While many of the major events across the world have been canceled due to the pandemic, organisers at Cannes are looking at virtual options. A plan for a virtual version of the Cannes film market, the Marche du Film, might be going ahead in June. The Marche du Film is now setting up a full-on virtual market from June 22-28, confirmed Variety. Jerome Paillard, head of the Marche du Film, is to communicate details about the virtual market on Friday. However, on April 8, The Cannes film festival director Thierry Fremaux had stated that the major event won`t take the virtual route if it can`t be hosted as a physical event.

Cannes Film Festival 2020: Directors' Fortnight and Critics Week canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic