No 'physical' festival for Cannes, but select films will screen elsewhere

WASHINGTON (SBG) -- The Cannes Film Festival can get in line. Like everything else these days, the coronavirus pandemic has sidelined the event.

The invitation-only event has gone on for decades in the resort town on the French Riviera.

Tuesday was supposed to mark the first day of the festival, but what organizers are calling the "physical edition" of the event is canceled.

There's currently no virtual alternative. Instead, organizers say they will unveil a selection of movies in early June. They plan on collaborating with several other festivals to present some films.

As for the festival in the fall, that likely won't happen either, but Cannes Chief Thierry Frémaux said the selection process for next year's festival will start around that time.