Image Credentials: Image Title: Sabotage Suspected as Power Cut Disrupts Final Day of Cannes Film Festival Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
Cannes, France – A suspected act of sabotage plunged the glamour of the Cannes Film Festival into unexpected chaos on Saturday, as a major power outage disrupted screenings across the city during the festival’s much-anticipated closing day.
At around 6 a.m. local time, approximately 160,000 homes and businesses in Cannes and the surrounding region were left without electricity after an electrical substation was deliberately set on fire and a pylon was damaged at another location, authorities confirmed.
The power cut forced the interruption of several morning film screenings and cast uncertainty over the prestigious festival’s closing events. Organisers acted swiftly, switching to private generators to maintain essential operations.
POWER OUTAGE HITS CANNES FILM FESTIVAL—BUT THE SHOW GOES ON!
A huge power outage in southeast France hit 160,000 homes—including the glitzy Cannes Film Festival.
The blackout struck just as Cannes was set to wrap up its final day.
The cause?
No one knows for sure.
Police… https://t.co/fyCMtyMZGk pic.twitter.com/L9bQWeV7vV
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 24, 2025
Despite the disruption, the Cannes Film Festival team has reassured attendees that the awards ceremony, including the announcement of the coveted Palme d’Or, will proceed as scheduled. “We have secured an alternative power supply to ensure the closing ceremony takes place without further issues,” festival officials said in a statement.
Australian producer Darren Vukasinovic, speaking to Reuters, described the atmosphere in the city with a mix of frustration and humor: “Cannes is in a total slowdown, meltdown, there’s no coffee anywhere, and I think the town has run out of croissants, so this is like crisis territory.”
Prosecutors have launched a formal investigation into the incident, citing “very likely” sabotage. No group has yet claimed responsibility, and no arrests have been made.
The sudden loss of electricity came at a critical moment for the festival, which annually draws global celebrities, filmmakers, and journalists to the French Riviera. The final day typically features back-to-back screenings, press events, and the culminating awards gala — a spotlight moment for world cinema.
Despite the morning’s setback, by the afternoon, power was largely restored across the region, allowing Cannes to reclaim some of its usual sparkle. French actress Juliette Binoche and her jury are still expected to present the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top honor, as the international film community holds its breath for the grand reveal.
The festival’s resilience under pressure has drawn praise, with many attendees applauding organisers for their quick response. However, the incident has raised questions about infrastructure security at high-profile international events.
As Cannes continues its recovery from the morning blackout, the curtain is set to fall on the 77th edition of the world’s most glamorous film festival, with the show, as always, going on.
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