A major power outage affecting southeastern France disrupted traffic and briefly halted events at the Cannes Film Festival as the prestigious event prepared to hand out its top prize.

French police were investigating a possible arson attack as being the main cause for a power outage which hit the Alpes-Maritimes region in southern France on Saturday, including Cannes which is hosting its world-famous annual film festival.

Deliberate acts of sabotage left much of southeastern France without power on the final day of the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, threatening the closing ceremonies.