Cannes Film Festival Undeterred by Arson-Suspected Power Outage

Cannes Film Festival Continues Despite Power Outage Caused by Substation Fire A major power outage struck Cannes, France, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, around 10:15 AM local time, plunging approximately 160,000 homes into darkness. The outage was a direct result of a fire at a high-voltage substation located in the nearby Tanneron region. Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been deliberately set, leading authorities to explore the possibility of arson. Despite the significant disruption, the prestigious Cannes Film Festival continued without interruption. The Palais des Festivals, the main venue for the event, operates on an independent power grid, ensuring the smooth continuation of the festival's program. This included the press conference for the film "The Mastermind," which featured the acclaimed actor Josh O'Connor. A local resident commented, "It was quite frightening, but we are relieved the festival wasn't affected." The resilience of the Cannes Film Festival in the face of this unexpected challenge serves as a testament to its robust organization and commitment to its attendees and participants. The swift response and contingency planning ensured that the event proceeded as planned, showcasing the adaptability and preparedness of the organizers.