Cannes Film Festival Spent Over $1 Million for COVID Testing to Hold Event in Person: Report
VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Masked onlookers at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival
The 2021 Cannes Film Festival was a major in-person success despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Variety reports that the event in France spent more than $1 million to test some 28,000 people in attendance, without any cost to the attendees.
Anyone from the European Union who showed proof of vaccination was able to opt out of testing, according to the outlet.
"It was a wonderful festival and an exceptional one as well," Cannes Artistic Director Thierry Frémaux told Variety after the 11-day celebration of film wrapped on July 17.
"We managed to pull it through at the right time and in conditions that were almost normal thanks to a protocol that was intelligent and responsible," Frémaux added.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Olivier Anrigo/Getty Poster for the 2021 Cannes Film Festival
Notably absent from Cannes this year was actress Léa Seydoux, who tested positive for the virus recently and issued a statement last week announcing she would be skipping the festival. She had four films screening at the event.
"Sadly, I have to self-quarantine in Paris and won't be able to attend the Cannes Film Festival this year," said the French actress, 36, in the statement obtained by Variety. (The outlet also learned from a spokesperson for Seydoux that she contracted the virus despite being fully vaccinated, and had no symptoms.)
"I wish I could celebrate the return of cinema to my favorite festival, but it is in everyone's best interest to err on the side of caution and do my part to keep everyone safe and healthy," added Seydoux, who stars in multiple films that were spotlighted at Cannes including Wes Anderson's latest project, The French Dispatch.
She concluded, "I applaud all four of my directors and the cast ensembles for their remarkable achievements. From a distance and in thoughts, I am with you with all my heart."
Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty COVID-19 test
RELATED VIDEO: Couple Arrested After Boarding Flight to Hawaii Despite Testing Positive for COVID-19: Authorities
In March of last year, the festival's official Twitter account announced that its 2020 edition would no longer take place due to the pandemic.
"Due to the health crisis and the development of the French and international situation, the Festival de Cannes will no longer be able to take place on the dates planned, from May 12 to 23," Cannes' official account tweeted at the time.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, festival organizers were originally hoping to reschedule the annual film event for June 2020.
As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from the CDC, WHO and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.
