There will be little or no red carpet this year.

At least not at Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Toronto and Tribeca. More than 20 Film Festivals are forced to cancel because of coronavirus pandemic, with many, including our own London Film Festival, joining the web under the heading of WE ARE ONE, showcasing features, documentaries, music, comedy and conversations starting from 29th May.

An announcement by Tribeca’s co-founder Jane Rosenthal and You Tube said that the idea was to inspire and unite people across borders during the pandemic. The festival will be streamed free but viewers will be asked to make a donation to the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 GLOBAL SOLIDARITY FUND.

The corona virus outbreak has robbed the studios and film-makers of vital windows to showcase their work to industry and public. The dozens of Film Festivals are the live blood of the industry and the significance of this, coupled to the new rules for exhibitors and all film workers, from studios to distribution, are yet to be felt in their severity.