2020 Telluride Film Festival Canceled Amid Pandemic

The Telluride Film Festival has become the latest cultural event to get canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement obtained by the Hollywood Reporter, the organizers revealed that it was virtually impossible to hold this year’s event due to the global health crisis and it was really “heartbreaking” for them to cancel this year’s celebration. They also indicated that the decision was taken after seeing a surge in the COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

In their statement, the organizers explained that it would not be suitable for them to conduct this year’s event and jeopardize the health of all the filmmakers, pass holders, and the people of Telluride.

“After months of intense due diligence around physically holding an event, we’ve come to the heartbreaking but unanimous conclusion to cancel this year’s Labor Day celebration of film in Telluride. With a seemingly unending number of new cases of Covid-19 and the national chaos around it, even the best strategy is threatened by this out of control environment,” the organizers said in their statement.

“No matter how much many of us wear our masks and observe social distancing protocols, the pandemic has worsened rather than improved and the health and safety of you - our pass holders, filmmakers, the people of Telluride and its surrounding areas - cannot be compromised,” they added.

The organizers also expressed their gratitude toward all the people who continue to support them and believe in them during such difficult times. They also encouraged everyone to “light candles” for a better 2021.

“For those who have supported us and believe in what we are trying to do, our gratitude is enormous. Thank you. We will need you in the coming months in many ways. Let’s light candles now to conjure a better 2021 and Labor Day weekend in Telluride, together, under the stars in the mountains doing what many of us love the most. The way we prefer to experience cinema will return. Let’s make it s,” the organizers of the festival wrote.

Other festivals that have already been postponed or canceled due to the pandemic are the Cannes Film Festival (postponed), Met Gala (postponed), Glastonbury (canceled), Tribeca Film Festival (postponed), Coachella (postponed), and Eurovision Song Contest (canceled).