FRANCOIS OZON

The Berlin International Film Festival is opening with a new movie from French director Francois Ozon and a pared-down format designed to bring audiences back but reduce COVID-19 infection risks.

The Berlin International Film Festival is going to take place next month in person despite rising virus numbers in Germany, especially in the German capital.

Cannes Festival director Thierry Fremaux, left, festival president Pierre Lescure, sit during the presentation of the festival lineup, in an empty cinema Wednesday, June 3, 2020 in Paris. The Cannes Film Festival was canceled due to the pandemic but it announced the films that would have played at the French Riviera festival. Those films, festival organizers say, will be able to promote themselves with the Cannes "stamp of approval." The French festival, originally slated for mid-May, initially considered postponing to July but ultimately gave up on a 2020 edition. The films will be able to brand themselves as part of the official 2020 Cannes Film Festival selection.