A significant power outage has affected southeastern France just before the closing celebrations of the Cannes Film Festival, including the prestigious Palme d’Or ceremony. Approximately 160,000 households in the Alpes-Maritimes region lost power after a high-voltage line fell early Saturday morning, following a fire at an electrical substation near Cannes that weakened the electrical grid.
The local police have opened an investigation into potential arson, as officials seek to establish whether the fire was deliberately started. Laurent Hottiaux, the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, denounced these “serious acts of damage to electrical infrastructures” and committed to mobilizing all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
Power was successfully restored around 3 PM local time, just hours before the much-anticipated ceremony, prompting cheers from locals as music resumed along the beachfront. Although the power outage disrupted several events and screenings earlier in the day, Cannes Film Festival organizers reassured that all planned activities, including the Closing Ceremony and film screenings at the main venue, Palais des Festivals, would proceed as scheduled, thanks to an independent power supply.
The blackout also affected traffic signals and local businesses, causing chaos in the city centers of Cannes and Antibes. Train services in the Cannes area experienced disruptions, and many shops remained closed, accepting only cash as the outage persisted.
This year’s Palme d’Or ceremony is set to showcase films competing for the festival’s most esteemed award, including works from prominent directors like Joachim Trier and Jafar Panahi.
The power restoration ahead of the closing ceremony reflects resilience, showcasing that despite setbacks, communities can come together to celebrate art and cinema. The festival, a key event in recognizing cinematic achievements, will continue to thrive, offering a platform for creativity and hope within the film industry.
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