A month ago I reported that Thierry Fremaux was looking at bumping the 2021 Cannes Film Festival from the present July slot into a Fall/October relaunch of the entire film industry. Now the always-estimable Roger Friedman from Showbiz 411 is saying the same thing. If that is indeed the case then Cannes will be squished with the other big four fall festivals (Venice, Telluride, Toronto, New York). Insanity.
This year is turning out to be as unpredictable as the last, but if the Sep/Oct intel is true, such a move would disrupt the status quo. A number of producers and sales agents have already said they prefer the festival not be delayed any later than July, a Cannes Film Festival taking place in September or October would mean a potential battle against Venice and TIFF (both taking place in September).
Like much of Western Europe. France is about to enter four weeks of lockdown due to a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. The possibility of Cannes happening in July is diminishing by the day. However, whenever the fest does happen, this year or next, it’ll be stacked with quality films that were all supposed to premiere on the croissette in 2020 and 2021. It has to be said, the industry needs Cannes more than Cannes needs the industry. It has been the prominent booster for films that go on to do very well in the European market. Cannes is essential.