The 75th International Festival de Cannes has released an official statement in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Unless the war of assault ends in conditions that will satisfy the Ukrainian people, it has been decided that Cannes will not welcome official Russian delegations nor accept the presence of anyone linked to the Russian government. The Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera will go on from May 17 to 28.

Extending solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the Festival de Cannes has decided to not allow Russian delegations or anyone linked to the Russian government at this year’s festival.

However entertainment companies from Russia and film professionals are likely to be accredited in the festival and market.

“Our thoughts go out in particular to the Ukrainian artists and film industry professionals, as well as their families whose lives are now in danger. There are those whom we’ve never met, and those whom we’ve come to know and welcomed to Cannes, who came with works that say much about Ukraine’s history and the present,” said the organisers in a statement.

As the world has been hit by a heavy crisis in which a part of Europe finds itself in a state of war, the Festival de Cannes wishes to extend all its support to the people of Ukraine and all those who are in its territory, they said and added: However modest as it is, we join our voices with those who oppose this unacceptable situation and denounce the attitude of Russia and its leaders.

Stating that during the winter of 2022, the Festival de Cannes and the Marché du Film have entered their preparation phase, the team added unless the war of assault ends in conditions that will satisfy the Ukrainian people, it has been decided that we will not welcome official Russian delegations nor accept the presence of anyone linked to the Russian government.

Cannes has also saluted the courage of all those in Russia who have taken risks to protest against the assault and invasion of Ukraine. Among them are artists and film professionals who have never ceased to fight against the contemporary regime, who cannot be associated with these unbearable actions, and those who are bombing Ukraine.

Loyal to its history that started in 1939 in resistance to the fascist and Nazi dictatorship, the Festival de Cannes will always serve artists and industry professionals that raise their voices to denounce violence, repression, and injustices, for the main purpose to defend peace and liberty, The Festival de Cannes Team concluded.