Cannes Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

As studios and distributors continue to pull the theatrical releases of their films, and cinemas nationwide close their doors to the public, what becomes of film criticism in the time of coronavirus?

The Cannes Film Festival has been postponed.

An initiative led by Hollywood talent agency CAA to set up a virtual film market that would replace the Cannes Marché du Film in the event of its cancellation due to coronavirus is being welcomed by some European sales agents, and has prompted Cannes to announce its own virtual market.

In France, which boasts one of the world’s most subsidized film industries, the national film board (CNC) has teamed up with the culture and labor ministers to take steps aimed at helping exhibitors and distributors ride out the coronavirus storm.

Leading European festivals, film academies and funders have called for the freedom of Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof.

As the number of coronavirus cases in France rises to 1,126, the country’s health minister has banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people in confined spaces in an effort to contain the outbreak, which has already caused 19 deaths.

Director Spike Lee has been announced as President of the Jury for this year’s Cannes Film Festival.