The prestigious Cannes Film Festival will be postponed this year over Coronavirus concerns. The festival is the latest major event to make such an announcement in recent weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) a global health pandemic.
According to a report by the New York Times, organizers of the event announced the postponement of the Cannes Film Festival, which was originally set to take place from May 12-23 of this year.
Organizers explained that they are closely monitoring the French and international health situations. They are also coordinating with the French government and the Cannes' City Hall and the festival's board members, film industry professionals and partners on the course of actions that will be taken.
"Several options are considered in order to preserve its running, the main one being a simple postponement, in Cannes, until the end of June-beginning of July 2020," the Festival de Cannes Team said in its statement.
For this year's festival, Spike Lee was chosen to be the jury leader. He would have been the first black person to be honored with the responsibility in the festival's 73-year history.
Other major events and screenings have also been postponed owing to the growing threat of COVID-19 in the US and other parts of the world which has placed cities and countries in lockdown.
Recently, the Coachella Music Festival which was supposed to take place in California next month also reported its postponement to October. Festival organizers announced that the festival will be rescheduled to October 9 and October 16 wile Stagecoach will happen on October 23.
Tickets for the April festival will be honored for October but refund options are also available for those who will not be able to attend the new dates, reported Buzzfeed.
The E3 Expo, known as the biggest trade show in the video game industry has also announced that it is canceling its much-anticipated schedule for June 9-11, to protect the safety of the public as well as its partners.
"Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it's the right decision based on the information we have today," the E3 Expo said in its post.
They also assured ticket holders of an organized refund process and promised that it will explore options to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and the news that was scheduled for the E3 Expo.
