After initially announcing that the event would postpone until “later this year” due to concerns over the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, Adfest has now officially cancelled the 2020 event with the organization saying that it believes it “is not the right time as people’s attention and priorities are needed elsewhere.”

Adfest joins the growing list of annual award shows either moving all activities online or canceling events altogether in the wake of the pandemic. On Friday, Cannes Lions, the biggest event in the ad world, announced that it was canceling it’s 2020 festival.

Regarding entries already submitted, organizers said they would be judged “at the same time as Adfest 2021 when the time and situation are more suitable for such matters.” Here is the complete statement released by Adfest this morning.

Dear friends,

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to show no sign of easing up anytime soon, we at ADFEST have come to the decision to cancel this year’s festival.

We believe this is not the right time as people’s attention and priorities are needed elsewhere.

While we considered online judging as an alternative for the works this year, we do not feel it is right to ask juries to review the works at a time like this. Understandably at the moment, people are just not in the right mindset.

Therefore, we have decided to cancel both the judging and festival for ADFEST 2020, and judge the 2020 entries at the same time as ADFEST 2021 when the time and situation are more suitable for such matters.

ADFEST is committed first and foremost to the people who support and follow us and we think this is the best course of action to take given the circumstances.

We will return when the time is right with ADFEST 2021, which will be held from 17-20 March 2021.

We thank you for your support and understanding on this matter and we would also like to thank our fantastic team behind the scenes, who have been amazing throughout these unprecedented times.

Finally, we hope that you and your families are safe during this very difficult time on both personal and professional levels. Our hearts go out to you all.