C*A*U*G*H*T, the Sean Penn-starring war satire series, is opting out of next week’s Mipcom Cannes following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase C*A*U*G*H*T at Mipcom this year,” said a spokesman from the show’s distributor, Fremantle. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”

Penn, creator Kick Gurry and Matthew Fox were due to attend the international TV confab next week to promote the show in a Media Mastermind Keynote on October 18 at 12pm local time in France, alongside distributor Fremantle.

The show follows four Australian soldiers on a covert mission in a war-torn country. Mistaken for Americans, they’re captured and produce a hostage video that achieves unexpected viral success, turning them into unlikely celebrities.

Two-time Academy Award winner actor Penn (Milk, Gaslit), who serves as an executive producer (and acts as himself in the series), was due to feature on the panel in at the Palais des Festivales’ Grand Auditorium, alongside Fox (Lost), and Curry (Edge of Tomorrow). 

Fremantle has global rights to the series after helping set up the international co-production, which is an original series for Australian streamer Stan. John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz’s company, Deeper Water Films, were key to developing with show, working alongside Brendan Donohue and Gurry’s label, Little Bird Films. Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie executive produced for Stan.

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