Cannes Film Festival

Back to Normal? Cannes Film Festival Prepares to Party

After the 2020 Cannes Film Festival was canceled by the pandemic and the 2021 edition was scaled back — even kisses were forbade on the red carpet — the lavish French Riviera cinema soiree is set to return with a festival that promises to be something like normal.

The Associated Press

COVID Cannes: Hollywood’s Glitziest Festival Goes Green, Gives Spike Lee Starring Role

The Cannes Film Festival, which took a hiatus last year due to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, is returning next week with Spike Lee assuming the spotlight as jury president. In addition to numerous COVID precautions — no French-style bises on the cheeks — festival organizers have reportedly imposed a host of environmental measures, including a ban on plastic and a red carpet made from recycled material.

US director Spike Lee gestures as he poses on May 14, 2018 while leaving following the screening of the film "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)