Power Outage Disrupts Cannes Film Festival But Events Continue

A sudden power outage in Cannes affects thousands, yet festival operations remain largely intact thanks to backup systems.

A significant power outage struck the Cannes region in southeastern France on Saturday morning, casting a shadow over the ongoing film festival and impacting around 160,000 homes. French electrical grid operator RTE reported the outage began around 10 a.m., leading to an extensive loss of power that prompted immediate responses from utility crews.

As authorities worked to resolve the blackout, festival organizers quickly adapted by switching to a reliable backup power supply. They assured attendees that all scheduled events, including the highly anticipated closing ceremony, would continue as planned. However, screenings were momentarily paused at one venue due to the disruption.

Local traffic reports indicated malfunctions with traffic signals across parts of the city, prompting safety advisories from authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes region. Attendees were encouraged to exercise caution when navigating affected areas.

Despite the challenges posed by the outage, the prestigious Palme d'Or award ceremony and other significant recognitions are still scheduled to take place on Saturday night, showcasing the resilience of the festival amidst these unforeseen circumstances.