The prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival faced an unexpected challenge on its final day as a massive power outage, reportedly caused by sabotage, plunged the city of Cannes and its surrounding areas into darkness. The blackout, which struck on Saturday morning, disrupted local businesses, traffic, and public services but remarkably had minimal impact on the festival’s core events thanks to emergency power solutions at the Palais des Festivals.
The Incident: Sabotage Suspected Behind Cannes Blackout
Power Outage Hits 160,000 Households
At approximately 10:00 AM local time, the power supply across Cannes and surrounding towns abruptly ceased. According to RTE (France’s electricity transmission operator), about 160,000 households were affected by the sudden power failure. Traffic lights stopped working, cafés and restaurants were forced to close or switch to cash-only transactions, and public screenings were temporarily halted.
Evidence of Deliberate Sabotage
Authorities believe the outage was not accidental. French media outlets and Franceinfo radio network reported that a fire broke out overnight at a key electricity station near Tanneron, southwest of Cannes. Additionally, electrical pylons were found cut down near the towns of Mougins, Villeneuve-Loubet, and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Local police and officials from the Ministry of Interior have suggested that the pylons appeared to have been sawn through intentionally, pointing strongly toward foul play.
Impact on the Cannes Film Festival
Festival Headquarters Powered by Generators
While much of the city faced power disruptions, the Palais des Festivals, where most festival activities are centered, remained operational due to its independent power supply and backup generators. This allowed the scheduled events, including press conferences and screenings, to proceed with minimal disturbance.
Press Conference Goes Ahead
Despite the ongoing power issues, the press conference for Kelly Reichardt’s film Mastermind—featuring actors Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal—took place as planned at 10:15 AM. The festival organizers later confirmed that the closing ceremony would not be affected, reassuring attendees and media present for the final evening.
Broader Regional Impact of the Outage
City Services and Businesses Disrupted
The outage significantly affected local businesses. With no electronic payment options available, many restaurants and shops were forced to shut down or operate on a cash-only basis. Traffic signals went offline, causing confusion and delays on city streets. Emergency services and utility companies worked quickly to restore order.
Gradual Restoration of Power
By 3:00 PM, partial power had been restored across Cannes. Traffic lights resumed functioning, and many hotels, apartments, and commercial establishments were back online. Authorities assured that VIP guests attending the closing ceremony would not experience further disruptions.
Security Concerns and Government Response
Investigation Underway
The French Ministry of Interior and local law enforcement have launched a full investigation into the sabotage, and security has been heightened in and around Cannes. With the cutting of pylons and the fire at the substation, officials are treating the matter as a criminal act aimed at disrupting one of the world’s most high-profile cultural events.
Impact on Festival Security Measures
While the festival is known for tight security due to its A-list guest list, this unprecedented incident may prompt organizers to reassess infrastructure vulnerabilities and increase collaboration with national security agencies for future editions.
The Resilience of Cannes: The Show Must Go On
A Testament to Planning and Preparedness
Despite the unexpected blackout, the resilience and preparedness of the Cannes Film Festival organizers ensured that the final day proceeded almost as planned. The presence of standby power generators and a crisis response plan helped mitigate what could have been a disaster for an event of global scale.
A Cliffhanger Ending to a Celebrated Festival
The 78th edition of the festival concluded with its usual glamour and prestige. However, this year’s ending will be remembered not just for cinematic brilliance but for the real-life drama that unfolded off-screen, providing a cliffhanger twist to Cannes 2025’s closing chapter.
