Cannes Jury Prize winner is also France’s submission to the Oscars this year.
Ladj Ly’s debut feature and Cannes Jury Prize winner Les Misérables, revolving around social tensions in a tough Paris suburb, is the frontrunner in the 25th edition of France’s Lumière awards this year, with seven nominations.
The awards which are voted on by some 130 international correspondents hailing from 40 countries are France’s equivalent of the Golden Globes.
Les Misérables has been nominated for best film, director, screenplay, cinematography, first film and twice in the best new actor section for two of its cast members,...
Ladj Ly’s debut feature and Cannes Jury Prize winner Les Misérables, revolving around social tensions in a tough Paris suburb, is the frontrunner in the 25th edition of France’s Lumière awards this year, with seven nominations.
The awards which are voted on by some 130 international correspondents hailing from 40 countries are France’s equivalent of the Golden Globes.
Les Misérables has been nominated for best film, director, screenplay, cinematography, first film and twice in the best new actor section for two of its cast members,...
- 12/3/2019
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Haenel went public with allegations that she was molested as a teenager by director Christophe Ruggia.
French cinema export agency Unifrance has issued a statement in support of actress Adèle Haenel following her decision to go public with allegations that she was molested as a teenager by director Christophe Ruggia.
Haenel re-ignited the #MeToo debate in France over the weekend with a bombshell interview on French investigative news site Mediapart, in which she accused Ruggia of sexually harrassing her as a child over a sustained period, after giving her a starring role in his 2001 feature The Devils.
Haenel, who is now 30-years-old,...
French cinema export agency Unifrance has issued a statement in support of actress Adèle Haenel following her decision to go public with allegations that she was molested as a teenager by director Christophe Ruggia.
Haenel re-ignited the #MeToo debate in France over the weekend with a bombshell interview on French investigative news site Mediapart, in which she accused Ruggia of sexually harrassing her as a child over a sustained period, after giving her a starring role in his 2001 feature The Devils.
Haenel, who is now 30-years-old,...
- 11/6/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Haenel went public with allegations that she was molested as a teenager by director Christophe Ruggia.
French cinema export agency Unifrance has issued a statement in support of actress Adèle Haenel following her decision to go public with allegations that she was molested as a teenager by director Christophe Ruggia.
Haenel re-ignited the #MeToo debate in France over the weekend with a bombshell interview on French investigative news site Mediapart, in which she accused Ruggia of sexually harassing her as a teenager over a sustained period, after giving her a starring role in his 2001 feature The Devils.
Haenel, who is now 30-years-old,...
French cinema export agency Unifrance has issued a statement in support of actress Adèle Haenel following her decision to go public with allegations that she was molested as a teenager by director Christophe Ruggia.
Haenel re-ignited the #MeToo debate in France over the weekend with a bombshell interview on French investigative news site Mediapart, in which she accused Ruggia of sexually harassing her as a teenager over a sustained period, after giving her a starring role in his 2001 feature The Devils.
Haenel, who is now 30-years-old,...
- 11/6/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
European sales veteran Daniela Elstner, head of Paris-based sales company Doc & Film international, has been appointed as the new managing director of French cinema promotion organization UniFrance.
Elstner replaces Isabelle Giordano who is leaving at the end of July after six years. Her selection was approved unanimously by the organization’s executive committee. She is expected to step down from Doc & Film.
Meanwhile, UniFrance president Serge Toubiana has been unanimously re-elected for another two year term.
UniFrance plays an important role for French industry, especially at major festivals and markets. The organization oversees a number of events promoting French films and talent including Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris; the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York, which is organized in tandem with the Film Society of Lincoln Center; and the French Film Festival in Yokohama, Japan.
Respected exec Elstner has been MD at doc specialist Doc & Film for...
Elstner replaces Isabelle Giordano who is leaving at the end of July after six years. Her selection was approved unanimously by the organization’s executive committee. She is expected to step down from Doc & Film.
Meanwhile, UniFrance president Serge Toubiana has been unanimously re-elected for another two year term.
UniFrance plays an important role for French industry, especially at major festivals and markets. The organization oversees a number of events promoting French films and talent including Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris; the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York, which is organized in tandem with the Film Society of Lincoln Center; and the French Film Festival in Yokohama, Japan.
Respected exec Elstner has been MD at doc specialist Doc & Film for...
- 7/8/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Daniela Elstner, one of France’s top sales executives, has been named managing director of UniFrance, the French film promotion body which is dedicated to fast-tracking the export of local films and talent pool.
Elstner’s nomination was proposed by UniFrance president Serge Toubiana, who was reelected last Thursday for a second two-year term, and approved unanimously by the organisation’s executive committee. Elstner is succeeding to French film journalist Isabelle Giordano who is officially leaving the org at the end of the month following a six-year tenure.
The German-born Elstner has been spearheading the Paris-based sales company Doc & Film International since 2008 as managing director and shareholder. Under her leadership, the outfit has represented films by Chantal Akerman, Jacques Doillon, Nicolas Philibert and Bruno Dumont, among other auteurs, in international markets. The company has also been handling politically- and socially-minded movies and documentaries such as Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea...
Elstner’s nomination was proposed by UniFrance president Serge Toubiana, who was reelected last Thursday for a second two-year term, and approved unanimously by the organisation’s executive committee. Elstner is succeeding to French film journalist Isabelle Giordano who is officially leaving the org at the end of the month following a six-year tenure.
The German-born Elstner has been spearheading the Paris-based sales company Doc & Film International since 2008 as managing director and shareholder. Under her leadership, the outfit has represented films by Chantal Akerman, Jacques Doillon, Nicolas Philibert and Bruno Dumont, among other auteurs, in international markets. The company has also been handling politically- and socially-minded movies and documentaries such as Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea...
- 7/8/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Respected international sales veteran replaces outgoing Isabelle Giordano.
Sales veteran Daniela Elstner, best known as the head of Paris-based sales company Doc & Film International, has been appointed as the new managing director of French cinema promotional body Unifrance.
She replaces Isabelle Giordano who is leaving at the end of July after six years in the role.
The appointment was overseen by Unifrance president Serge Toubiana who was unanimously re-elected for another two-year term last week.
“I’m overjoyed that Daniela Elstner, a major figure in the export of French cinema, who is recognised throughout the profession for her knowledge...
Sales veteran Daniela Elstner, best known as the head of Paris-based sales company Doc & Film International, has been appointed as the new managing director of French cinema promotional body Unifrance.
She replaces Isabelle Giordano who is leaving at the end of July after six years in the role.
The appointment was overseen by Unifrance president Serge Toubiana who was unanimously re-elected for another two-year term last week.
“I’m overjoyed that Daniela Elstner, a major figure in the export of French cinema, who is recognised throughout the profession for her knowledge...
- 7/8/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
His first task in new two-year term will be appointing replacement for managing director Isabelle Giordano.
Serge Toubiana has been re-elected president of French cinema promotional and export body Unifrance, for a second two-year term.
The body said its 50-member steering committee - including sales agents, producers, filmmakers as well as other institutional appointees - had voted unanimously for Toubiana’s re-appointment.
His first task in this fresh term as president will be deciding who will replace Unifrance’s outgoing managing director Isabelle Giordano who is due to depart at the end of July after six years in the role.
Serge Toubiana has been re-elected president of French cinema promotional and export body Unifrance, for a second two-year term.
The body said its 50-member steering committee - including sales agents, producers, filmmakers as well as other institutional appointees - had voted unanimously for Toubiana’s re-appointment.
His first task in this fresh term as president will be deciding who will replace Unifrance’s outgoing managing director Isabelle Giordano who is due to depart at the end of July after six years in the role.
- 7/4/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Isabelle Giordano, the managing director of French film promotion body UniFrance, will be stepping down from the organization in late July to pursue new projects. UniFrance has not yet found a replacement.
During her six years at UniFrance, Giordano helped develop several initiatives to increase the profile of French movies and talent abroad. Serge Toubiana, UniFrance’s president, said Giordano played a significant role in shining a spotlight on French film festivals coordinated by UniFrance in a highly competitive landscape.
Some of Giordano’s accomplishments at the helm of UniFrance include initiatives aimed at giving younger foreign audiences a taste of French movies, such as the launch of the Young French Cinema Program, which was jointly arranged by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S., and the creation of the International Prize of Foreign Students.
A former prominent TV and radio journalist, Giordano also ramped up...
During her six years at UniFrance, Giordano helped develop several initiatives to increase the profile of French movies and talent abroad. Serge Toubiana, UniFrance’s president, said Giordano played a significant role in shining a spotlight on French film festivals coordinated by UniFrance in a highly competitive landscape.
Some of Giordano’s accomplishments at the helm of UniFrance include initiatives aimed at giving younger foreign audiences a taste of French movies, such as the launch of the Young French Cinema Program, which was jointly arranged by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S., and the creation of the International Prize of Foreign Students.
A former prominent TV and radio journalist, Giordano also ramped up...
- 6/3/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Giordano leaves French cinema promotional body after six years in the role.
Isabelle Giordano is to step down as the managing director of Unifrance at the end of July after six years in the role, the French cinema promotional body has announced.
Giordano took up the role in 2013 and has steered the organisation through a complex time for French cinema internationally, amid the rise of global digital platforms and competition from high-end drama for cinema.
There were no details on Giordano’s replacement or her next role.
Unifrance president Serge Toubiana highlighted the role Giordano had played in raising the...
Isabelle Giordano is to step down as the managing director of Unifrance at the end of July after six years in the role, the French cinema promotional body has announced.
Giordano took up the role in 2013 and has steered the organisation through a complex time for French cinema internationally, amid the rise of global digital platforms and competition from high-end drama for cinema.
There were no details on Giordano’s replacement or her next role.
Unifrance president Serge Toubiana highlighted the role Giordano had played in raising the...
- 6/3/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Five years after fashion powerhouse Kering launched its initiative to highlight the role of women before and behind the camera, the mission of Women in Motion is as pressing as ever. While the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have put a spotlight on the struggles of women in the film industry, the battle for gender parity is far from over.
The numbers still indicate that women are underrepresented both on screen and behind the scenes. Yet how the marginalization of women is addressed has changed drastically in just half a decade. In 2015, when Kering premiered its talks at the Cannes Film Festival, frank conversations about gender inequality were hardly de rigueur.
“I’m proud of the awareness it brought to the topic, even at a time when very few thought it was something that should be acted upon,” says Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault. “And I’m impressed by all...
The numbers still indicate that women are underrepresented both on screen and behind the scenes. Yet how the marginalization of women is addressed has changed drastically in just half a decade. In 2015, when Kering premiered its talks at the Cannes Film Festival, frank conversations about gender inequality were hardly de rigueur.
“I’m proud of the awareness it brought to the topic, even at a time when very few thought it was something that should be acted upon,” says Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault. “And I’m impressed by all...
- 5/15/2019
- by Carita Rizzo
- Variety Film + TV
Amanda director Mikhaël Hers: "Vincent Lacoste is naturally very intuitive and Stacy Martin, maybe due to her double nationality, is more cerebral, more rational as an actor."
Before the uniFrance and Film Society of Lincoln Center luncheon for the 24th edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York - attended by the President of uniFrance Serge Toubiana and Executive Director of uniFrance Isabelle Giordano, Russell Banks, uniFrance’s American ambassador, Sophie Fillières, Agathe Bonitzer, Hélène Fillières, Emmanuel Mouret, Eva Husson, Pierre Salvadori, and Pio Marmaï - Amanda director/screenwriter Mikhaël Hers joined me for a conversation. We spoke about the roles of Vincent Lacoste, Isaure Multrier, Stacy Martin, Marianne Basler, Ophélia Kolb, and Greta Scacchi, dancing to Elvis Presley, film critic Serge Daney's book L'Amateur De Tennis and Mikhaël's love of tennis.
President of uniFrance, Serge Toubiana and Executive Director of uniFrance, Isabelle Giordano with Mikhaël Hers...
Before the uniFrance and Film Society of Lincoln Center luncheon for the 24th edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York - attended by the President of uniFrance Serge Toubiana and Executive Director of uniFrance Isabelle Giordano, Russell Banks, uniFrance’s American ambassador, Sophie Fillières, Agathe Bonitzer, Hélène Fillières, Emmanuel Mouret, Eva Husson, Pierre Salvadori, and Pio Marmaï - Amanda director/screenwriter Mikhaël Hers joined me for a conversation. We spoke about the roles of Vincent Lacoste, Isaure Multrier, Stacy Martin, Marianne Basler, Ophélia Kolb, and Greta Scacchi, dancing to Elvis Presley, film critic Serge Daney's book L'Amateur De Tennis and Mikhaël's love of tennis.
President of uniFrance, Serge Toubiana and Executive Director of uniFrance, Isabelle Giordano with Mikhaël Hers...
- 3/19/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
UniFrance, the French film promotion org, joined forces with the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to host events on March 7-8 in Paris which aimed at shining a spotlight on French female directors, producers, talent, artists and technicians.
The events, which were attended by many French students and young filmmakers at the Meurice Hotel in Paris, underscored the Academy’s ambition to increase its presence in Europe where it has many members.
One of the highlights of the two-day program was French-Senegalese writer/director Maïmouna Doucouré (pictured) receiving the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women on March 8, the International Women’s Day. The prize was given as part of the Academy Women’s Initiative which is supported by Swarovski and aims at creating opportunities for female filmmakers to connect, share their stories and celebrate inclusion.
Doucouré is currently finishing her feature debut “Cuties,” whose screenplay already won the...
The events, which were attended by many French students and young filmmakers at the Meurice Hotel in Paris, underscored the Academy’s ambition to increase its presence in Europe where it has many members.
One of the highlights of the two-day program was French-Senegalese writer/director Maïmouna Doucouré (pictured) receiving the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women on March 8, the International Women’s Day. The prize was given as part of the Academy Women’s Initiative which is supported by Swarovski and aims at creating opportunities for female filmmakers to connect, share their stories and celebrate inclusion.
Doucouré is currently finishing her feature debut “Cuties,” whose screenplay already won the...
- 3/10/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
President of uniFrance, Serge Toubiana, and I spoke about Robert Bresson's Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne, Jacques Rivette's La Religieuse, and how Diderot's language from Jacques the Fatalist shines in Emmanuel Mouret's Lady J. Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
At the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema luncheon on Park Avenue in New York, attended by the Executive Director of uniFrance, Isabelle Giordano; Russell Banks, uniFrance’s American ambassador for the festival; Sophie Fillières and Agathe Bonitzer (La Belle Et La Belle); Emmanuel Mouret (Lady J aka Mademoiselle De Joncquières); Hélène Fillières (Raising Colors); Pierre Salvadori and Pio Marmaï (The Trouble With You); Eva Husson (Girls Of The Sun); Judith Davis (Whatever Happened To My Revolution), and Mikhaël Hers (Amanda), I spoke with the President of uniFrance, Serge Toubiana, who was elected in 2017, replacing Jean-Paul Salomé.
Anne-Katrin Titze: This is your second edition of Rendez-Vous With French Cinema.
The Sweet Hereafter...
At the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema luncheon on Park Avenue in New York, attended by the Executive Director of uniFrance, Isabelle Giordano; Russell Banks, uniFrance’s American ambassador for the festival; Sophie Fillières and Agathe Bonitzer (La Belle Et La Belle); Emmanuel Mouret (Lady J aka Mademoiselle De Joncquières); Hélène Fillières (Raising Colors); Pierre Salvadori and Pio Marmaï (The Trouble With You); Eva Husson (Girls Of The Sun); Judith Davis (Whatever Happened To My Revolution), and Mikhaël Hers (Amanda), I spoke with the President of uniFrance, Serge Toubiana, who was elected in 2017, replacing Jean-Paul Salomé.
Anne-Katrin Titze: This is your second edition of Rendez-Vous With French Cinema.
The Sweet Hereafter...
- 3/5/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
President of uniFrance Serge Toubiana and Russell Banks, uniFrance’s American ambassador for Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, will introduce François Truffaut’s The 400 Blows Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Bertrand Tavernier is no longer able to attend New York's Rendez-Vous With French Cinema for his conversation with Russell Banks. He has been replaced by Paul Schrader.
Sophie Fillières and Agathe Bonitzer (When Margaux Meets Margaux), Emmanuel Mouret (Mademoiselle de Joncquières), Judith Davis (Whatever Happened to My Revolution), Hélène Fillières (Raising Colors), Pierre Salvadori and Pio Marmaï (The Trouble with You) have been confirmed for the New French Comedies discussion.
Catherine Deneuve with Executive Director of uniFrance Isabelle Giordano Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Eva Husson (Girls Of The Sun), Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (The Mustang), Brady Corbet (Vox Lux), and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire (A Prayer Before Dawn) will participate in Filming Abroad.
“It is a great honour to have Russell Banks as our American ambassador...
Bertrand Tavernier is no longer able to attend New York's Rendez-Vous With French Cinema for his conversation with Russell Banks. He has been replaced by Paul Schrader.
Sophie Fillières and Agathe Bonitzer (When Margaux Meets Margaux), Emmanuel Mouret (Mademoiselle de Joncquières), Judith Davis (Whatever Happened to My Revolution), Hélène Fillières (Raising Colors), Pierre Salvadori and Pio Marmaï (The Trouble with You) have been confirmed for the New French Comedies discussion.
Catherine Deneuve with Executive Director of uniFrance Isabelle Giordano Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Eva Husson (Girls Of The Sun), Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (The Mustang), Brady Corbet (Vox Lux), and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire (A Prayer Before Dawn) will participate in Filming Abroad.
“It is a great honour to have Russell Banks as our American ambassador...
- 2/26/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Gilles Lellouche’s “Sink or Swim,” Mikhaël Hers’s “Amanda,” Louis-Julien Petit’s “Invisibles” and Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun” are set to screen at the 24th edition of the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema showcase which is co-organized by The Film Society of Lincoln Center and UniFrance.
After world-premiering out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, “Sink or Swim” became a box office hit in France and got nominated for 10 Cesar Awards. The film is headlined by a popular French cast, including Mathieu Amalric (“At Eternity’s Gate”), Guillaume Canet (“Rock’n Roll”), Virginie Efira (“Elle”) and Leila Bekhti (“Midnight Sun”).
“Girls of the Sun,” which competed at Cannes, stars Golshifteh Farahani (“Paterson”) as a resistance fighter part of an all-female battalion made up of former captives of extremists who have vowed to reconquer their own land.
Inspired by a true story, “Invisibles” follows the journey of...
After world-premiering out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, “Sink or Swim” became a box office hit in France and got nominated for 10 Cesar Awards. The film is headlined by a popular French cast, including Mathieu Amalric (“At Eternity’s Gate”), Guillaume Canet (“Rock’n Roll”), Virginie Efira (“Elle”) and Leila Bekhti (“Midnight Sun”).
“Girls of the Sun,” which competed at Cannes, stars Golshifteh Farahani (“Paterson”) as a resistance fighter part of an all-female battalion made up of former captives of extremists who have vowed to reconquer their own land.
Inspired by a true story, “Invisibles” follows the journey of...
- 2/14/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and UniFrance have announced the complete lineup for the 24th edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, the celebrated annual festival that exemplifies the variety and vitality of contemporary French filmmaking, taking place February 28 – March 10 in New York.
The 2019 Opening Night selection is the New York premiere of “The Trouble with You,” the latest comic whirlwind from Pierre Salvadori (“In the Courtyard”), which was recently nominated for nine César Awards including Best Film, Director, Screenplay, and all four acting categories. A standout of the 2018 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, this hilarious yet tender film stars Adèle Haenel as a woman coping with the recent loss of her husband, and features supporting performances by Audrey Tautou, Vincent Elbaz, and Damien Bonnard.
“This year’s Rendez-Vous brings together established French filmmakers and exciting emerging talents in a lineup that showcases the artistry and innovation at the heart of French cinema,...
The 2019 Opening Night selection is the New York premiere of “The Trouble with You,” the latest comic whirlwind from Pierre Salvadori (“In the Courtyard”), which was recently nominated for nine César Awards including Best Film, Director, Screenplay, and all four acting categories. A standout of the 2018 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, this hilarious yet tender film stars Adèle Haenel as a woman coping with the recent loss of her husband, and features supporting performances by Audrey Tautou, Vincent Elbaz, and Damien Bonnard.
“This year’s Rendez-Vous brings together established French filmmakers and exciting emerging talents in a lineup that showcases the artistry and innovation at the heart of French cinema,...
- 1/24/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Paris — Two Cannes Critics’ Week hits – ‘Guy,” “Sauvage” – and Erick Zonca’s comeback, “Black Tide,” are three potential highlights in a still-expanding MyFrenchFilmFestival, French promotion org UniFrance’s annual online selection of French and French-language films.
Unveiling MyFFF’s 2019 edition in Paris on Wednesday, UniFrance also revealed that this year’s ninth edition will bow a TV strand, showcasing espionage thriller “The Bureau,” a recent and game-changing Canal Plus Création Originale. The international filmmakers’ jury – unveiled by UniFrance’s president Serge Toubiana and co-managing director Isabelle Giordano on Wednesday morning at Google’s offices in Paris — comprises Jaco Van Dormael (“The Brand New Testament”), Houda Benyamina (“Divines”), Coralie Fargeat (“Revenge”), Mikhaël Hers (“Amanda”) and Kim Nguyen (“Rebelle”). Citing “Divines” which sold to Netflix, and “Revenge” which was acquired by AMC’s Shudder, Toubiana and Giordano said all the filmmakers on the jury have had a connection with a digital service.
Unveiling MyFFF’s 2019 edition in Paris on Wednesday, UniFrance also revealed that this year’s ninth edition will bow a TV strand, showcasing espionage thriller “The Bureau,” a recent and game-changing Canal Plus Création Originale. The international filmmakers’ jury – unveiled by UniFrance’s president Serge Toubiana and co-managing director Isabelle Giordano on Wednesday morning at Google’s offices in Paris — comprises Jaco Van Dormael (“The Brand New Testament”), Houda Benyamina (“Divines”), Coralie Fargeat (“Revenge”), Mikhaël Hers (“Amanda”) and Kim Nguyen (“Rebelle”). Citing “Divines” which sold to Netflix, and “Revenge” which was acquired by AMC’s Shudder, Toubiana and Giordano said all the filmmakers on the jury have had a connection with a digital service.
- 1/9/2019
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
This year, Toronto will play host to 18 majority French films across its various sections and an eye-popping 39 minority productions.
While that first figure attests to the relative good health of the Gallic film industry, the sizable second one only emphasizes the outsized importance that industry has placed on international co-production.
“Working with international artists is a really a huge part of our culture,” says Isabelle Giordano, executive director of UniFrance. “It’s not an anomaly — it’s a matter of French pride. It’s an official policy, and we pursue it with a number of co-production accords through the Cnc. It’s structural. We really have a system, an ecosystem in France that calls for co-production.”
Indeed, with 57 international accords put in place by the Cnc, as the publicly funded Centre National du Cinema is known, France holds the world record for co-production treaties.
Films including Naomi Kawase’s “Vision...
While that first figure attests to the relative good health of the Gallic film industry, the sizable second one only emphasizes the outsized importance that industry has placed on international co-production.
“Working with international artists is a really a huge part of our culture,” says Isabelle Giordano, executive director of UniFrance. “It’s not an anomaly — it’s a matter of French pride. It’s an official policy, and we pursue it with a number of co-production accords through the Cnc. It’s structural. We really have a system, an ecosystem in France that calls for co-production.”
Indeed, with 57 international accords put in place by the Cnc, as the publicly funded Centre National du Cinema is known, France holds the world record for co-production treaties.
Films including Naomi Kawase’s “Vision...
- 9/13/2018
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the emergence of the #MeToo movement, Women in Motion, the initiative launched in 2015 by fashion powerhouse Kering and backed by the Cannes Film Festival, is proving more timely than ever.
The 4-year-old initiative, whose mission is to highlight to role of women before and behind the camera, has already begun to bear fruit. Variety is a partner in the initiative.
Syrian helmer Gaya Jiji, who won the Women in Motion’s Young Talents Award and a grant along with Leyla Bouzid and Ida Panahandeh in 2016, will be back in Cannes this year to present her feature debut “My Favorite Fabric” in Un Certain Regard.
Aside from paying tribute to iconic women in the industry such as Olivia de Havilland and Isabelle Huppert, Women in Motion has also been turning the spotlight on emerging women filmmakers, including Jiji.
“Kering was the first...
The 4-year-old initiative, whose mission is to highlight to role of women before and behind the camera, has already begun to bear fruit. Variety is a partner in the initiative.
Syrian helmer Gaya Jiji, who won the Women in Motion’s Young Talents Award and a grant along with Leyla Bouzid and Ida Panahandeh in 2016, will be back in Cannes this year to present her feature debut “My Favorite Fabric” in Un Certain Regard.
Aside from paying tribute to iconic women in the industry such as Olivia de Havilland and Isabelle Huppert, Women in Motion has also been turning the spotlight on emerging women filmmakers, including Jiji.
“Kering was the first...
- 5/8/2018
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
36th Fajr International Film Festival announces the Winners
Closing ceremony of the 36th edition of Fajr international film festival was held in presence of Iran minister of culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Salehi, head of cinema organization Mohammad Mehdi Heidarian, festival director Reza Mir Karimi, and prominent Iranian and international cinema individuals including Oliver Stone, Reza Kianian, Oliver Montagon, and many well-known personalities. Reza Mirkarimi director of the festival delivered a short speech and said nothing could be don…
Director Oliver Stone says Iran is the heart of Middle East for me and I’m astonished by its cinema
American movie director Oliver Stone arrived in Tehran Monday morning aiming to attend the 36th edition Fajr international film festival runs April 19–27 in Tehran, Iran. Stone hosted a workshop for filmmakers at Tehran University for the students craving to learn more and benefit from the knowledge and experiences of the prominent individuals.
Closing ceremony of the 36th edition of Fajr international film festival was held in presence of Iran minister of culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Salehi, head of cinema organization Mohammad Mehdi Heidarian, festival director Reza Mir Karimi, and prominent Iranian and international cinema individuals including Oliver Stone, Reza Kianian, Oliver Montagon, and many well-known personalities. Reza Mirkarimi director of the festival delivered a short speech and said nothing could be don…
Director Oliver Stone says Iran is the heart of Middle East for me and I’m astonished by its cinema
American movie director Oliver Stone arrived in Tehran Monday morning aiming to attend the 36th edition Fajr international film festival runs April 19–27 in Tehran, Iran. Stone hosted a workshop for filmmakers at Tehran University for the students craving to learn more and benefit from the knowledge and experiences of the prominent individuals.
- 5/3/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The Us premiere of Mathieu Amalric’s Barbara will open the 23rd Rendez-Vous With French Cinema, set to run in Hollywood from March 8-18.
The Us premiere of Mathieu Amalric’s Barbara will open the 23rd Rendez-Vous With French Cinema, set to run in Hollywood from March 8-18.
The annual French cinema showcase will showcase 24 films from both emerging and established filmmakers, Film Society of Lincoln Centre and UniFrance announced on Wednesday (February 7).
Amalric and his leading lady and co-star Jeanne Balibar will attend the screening of his drama, which was recently nominated for nine Cesar awards including best film, actor, and actress.
Other films in the 2018 series include: Léonor Serraille’s Montparnasse Bienvenue, which received the Camera d’Or award in Cannes; Jean-Paul Civeyrac’s A Paris Education (Mes Provinciales); Noémie Lvovsky’s Tomorrow And Thereafter; (Demain Et Tous Les Autres Jours); Xavier Legrand’s Custody (Jusqu’à La Garde); Xavier Beauvois’ The Guardians (Les Gardiennes); and Nobuhiro Suwa...
The Us premiere of Mathieu Amalric’s Barbara will open the 23rd Rendez-Vous With French Cinema, set to run in Hollywood from March 8-18.
The annual French cinema showcase will showcase 24 films from both emerging and established filmmakers, Film Society of Lincoln Centre and UniFrance announced on Wednesday (February 7).
Amalric and his leading lady and co-star Jeanne Balibar will attend the screening of his drama, which was recently nominated for nine Cesar awards including best film, actor, and actress.
Other films in the 2018 series include: Léonor Serraille’s Montparnasse Bienvenue, which received the Camera d’Or award in Cannes; Jean-Paul Civeyrac’s A Paris Education (Mes Provinciales); Noémie Lvovsky’s Tomorrow And Thereafter; (Demain Et Tous Les Autres Jours); Xavier Legrand’s Custody (Jusqu’à La Garde); Xavier Beauvois’ The Guardians (Les Gardiennes); and Nobuhiro Suwa...
- 2/7/2018
- by Jenn Sherman
- ScreenDaily
Update: Unifrance responds to sales outfit quitting French cinema promotion group.
Leading French sales company Wild Bunch has quit the country’s state-backed French cinema export and promotional body Unifrance in protest at the appointment of Serge Toubiana (pictured, top) as its new president.
It is the first time in Unifrance’s near 70-year history that a company of Wild Bunch’s magnitude has quit the body.
Unifrance announced on Thursday that former Cinématheque Française chief Serge Toubiana had been elected to the role by its 48-member executive committee, beating out producers Yves Marmion and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam who had also put themselves forward as candidates.
The appointment was greeted with surprise by many in the French film sales and production community who said Toubiana lacked the export and sales experience to take on such a role, even if they respected his track record as a journalist and at the helm of the Cinématheque.
Letter
In a...
Leading French sales company Wild Bunch has quit the country’s state-backed French cinema export and promotional body Unifrance in protest at the appointment of Serge Toubiana (pictured, top) as its new president.
It is the first time in Unifrance’s near 70-year history that a company of Wild Bunch’s magnitude has quit the body.
Unifrance announced on Thursday that former Cinématheque Française chief Serge Toubiana had been elected to the role by its 48-member executive committee, beating out producers Yves Marmion and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam who had also put themselves forward as candidates.
The appointment was greeted with surprise by many in the French film sales and production community who said Toubiana lacked the export and sales experience to take on such a role, even if they respected his track record as a journalist and at the helm of the Cinématheque.
Letter
In a...
- 7/7/2017
- ScreenDaily
As the film distribution landscape keeps evolving, distributors of foreign language fare in the United States are struggling to keep up with a brave new world. French cinema, a niche favorite of American audiences for decades, is struggling to stay in the game — and right now, its future is uncertain.
“Ten years ago, we had more success at the box office,” Isabelle Giordano, the Executive Director of UniFrance, recently told IndieWire. “We have to admit that the situation is not as good as it was then.”
But it’s not for lack of effort. Thanks to a number of initiatives headed up by UniFrance – a government-supported body that operates with the sole aim of promoting French cinema throughout the world – French films are fighting to find new life at the U.S. box office.
Per Deadline, ticket sales in foreign markets for French titles dipped to $35 million in 2016, down 69% from...
“Ten years ago, we had more success at the box office,” Isabelle Giordano, the Executive Director of UniFrance, recently told IndieWire. “We have to admit that the situation is not as good as it was then.”
But it’s not for lack of effort. Thanks to a number of initiatives headed up by UniFrance – a government-supported body that operates with the sole aim of promoting French cinema throughout the world – French films are fighting to find new life at the U.S. box office.
Per Deadline, ticket sales in foreign markets for French titles dipped to $35 million in 2016, down 69% from...
- 3/9/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Katell Quillévéré on Steven Spielberg's E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial: "For me it was something from my childhood ..." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The danger of living is lurking at every corner at the start of Katell Quillévéré's medical thriller Heal The Living (Réparer Les Vivants), co-written with Gilles Taurand, based on a novel by Maylis De Kerangal, starring Emmanuelle Seigner, Kool Shen (Catherine Breillat's Abus De Faiblesse with Isabelle Huppert), Tahar Rahim, Gabin Verdet, Théo Choldbi, and Finnegan Oldfield (Thomas Bidegain's Les Cowboys).
I first met Katell Quillévéré when she was presenting her film Suzanne, which stars Sara Forestier, Adèle Haenel, François Damiens, and Paul Hamy. Katell also participated, along with Julie Gayet, Axelle Ropert, Isabelle Giordano, Rebecca Zlotowski, Stacie Passon, Ry Russo-Young, Deborah Kampmeier, and Justine Triet, in activities at the French Institute Alliance Française on International Women’s Day during the 2014 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York.
The danger of living is lurking at every corner at the start of Katell Quillévéré's medical thriller Heal The Living (Réparer Les Vivants), co-written with Gilles Taurand, based on a novel by Maylis De Kerangal, starring Emmanuelle Seigner, Kool Shen (Catherine Breillat's Abus De Faiblesse with Isabelle Huppert), Tahar Rahim, Gabin Verdet, Théo Choldbi, and Finnegan Oldfield (Thomas Bidegain's Les Cowboys).
I first met Katell Quillévéré when she was presenting her film Suzanne, which stars Sara Forestier, Adèle Haenel, François Damiens, and Paul Hamy. Katell also participated, along with Julie Gayet, Axelle Ropert, Isabelle Giordano, Rebecca Zlotowski, Stacie Passon, Ry Russo-Young, Deborah Kampmeier, and Justine Triet, in activities at the French Institute Alliance Française on International Women’s Day during the 2014 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York.
- 3/7/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Class of 2017 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema opening night Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Pictured above from left to right are: Frantz's François Ozon, uniFrance General Director Isabelle Giordano, Reda Kateb and Cécile de France, stars of Django, a highlight of the festival, Mal De Pierres' Nicole Garcia, Django's Étienne Comar, Réparer Les Vivants' Katell Quillévéré, composer Martin Wheeler for 150 Milligrams and Sólveig Anspach's L'Effet Aquatique, Planetarium's Rebecca Zlotowski, La Fille De Brest's Emmanuelle Bercot, and in the front row, Florence Almozini, Associate Director of Programming for the Film Society of Lincoln Center with Agnès Varda for the Opening Night of the 22nd edition of New York's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema on March 1 at the Walter Reade Theater.
Rendez-Vous with French Cinema at the Film Society of Lincoln Center Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Jérôme Salle’s The Odyssey (L'Odyssée) starring Lambert Wilson as Jacques Cousteau with Audrey Tautou...
Pictured above from left to right are: Frantz's François Ozon, uniFrance General Director Isabelle Giordano, Reda Kateb and Cécile de France, stars of Django, a highlight of the festival, Mal De Pierres' Nicole Garcia, Django's Étienne Comar, Réparer Les Vivants' Katell Quillévéré, composer Martin Wheeler for 150 Milligrams and Sólveig Anspach's L'Effet Aquatique, Planetarium's Rebecca Zlotowski, La Fille De Brest's Emmanuelle Bercot, and in the front row, Florence Almozini, Associate Director of Programming for the Film Society of Lincoln Center with Agnès Varda for the Opening Night of the 22nd edition of New York's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema on March 1 at the Walter Reade Theater.
Rendez-Vous with French Cinema at the Film Society of Lincoln Center Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Jérôme Salle’s The Odyssey (L'Odyssée) starring Lambert Wilson as Jacques Cousteau with Audrey Tautou...
- 3/2/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Awards season: Isabelle Huppert collects her Crystal French Cinema Award at the Ministry of Culture in Paris surrounded by directors including Benoît Jacquot and Anne Fontaine Photo: Richard Mowe
After her surprise best actress win at the Golden Globes (against more obvious contenders as Natalie Portman [Jackie] and Amy Adams [Arrival], last night (16 January) it was the turn of the French to honour Paul Verhoeven’s Elle star Isabelle Huppert.
Isabelle Huppert: “Sometimes the idea of culture falls by the wayside. In France, we have a tendency to think that the values of culture are very high and we have to keep them that way.”
Just returned from Los Angeles with her Globe trophy in her suitcase, the normally serene Huppert was visibly moved by the accolade bestowed in a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture overlooking the historic Palais Royal in the heart of Paris.
The award from the legendary...
After her surprise best actress win at the Golden Globes (against more obvious contenders as Natalie Portman [Jackie] and Amy Adams [Arrival], last night (16 January) it was the turn of the French to honour Paul Verhoeven’s Elle star Isabelle Huppert.
Isabelle Huppert: “Sometimes the idea of culture falls by the wayside. In France, we have a tendency to think that the values of culture are very high and we have to keep them that way.”
Just returned from Los Angeles with her Globe trophy in her suitcase, the normally serene Huppert was visibly moved by the accolade bestowed in a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture overlooking the historic Palais Royal in the heart of Paris.
The award from the legendary...
- 1/16/2017
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Superstar French singer Dalida played by lookalike Italian model turned actress Sveva Alviti Photo: Luc Roux
French cinema seems obsessed with making films about legendary singers from Edith Piaf (La Vie En Rose) and Serge Gainsbourg to Claude François (My Way or Clo-Clo as it was known in France).
Director Lisa Azuelos presents Dalida for the opening of the 19th Rendez-vous with French Cinema watched by Unifrance’s Isabelle Giordano Photo: Richard Mowe The latest recipient for the treatment is Dalida, an Italian-French singer who had a traumatic childhood in Egypt before she turned entertainer, selling more than 170 million records before her suicide in 1987. Her life veered between adulation and depression, complicated romantic entanglements, and her inability to have children after an abortion.
The film has just opened on French screens and was shown last night (January 12) to buyers attending the 19th Unifrance Rendez-vous with French Cinema, which showcases new...
French cinema seems obsessed with making films about legendary singers from Edith Piaf (La Vie En Rose) and Serge Gainsbourg to Claude François (My Way or Clo-Clo as it was known in France).
Director Lisa Azuelos presents Dalida for the opening of the 19th Rendez-vous with French Cinema watched by Unifrance’s Isabelle Giordano Photo: Richard Mowe The latest recipient for the treatment is Dalida, an Italian-French singer who had a traumatic childhood in Egypt before she turned entertainer, selling more than 170 million records before her suicide in 1987. Her life veered between adulation and depression, complicated romantic entanglements, and her inability to have children after an abortion.
The film has just opened on French screens and was shown last night (January 12) to buyers attending the 19th Unifrance Rendez-vous with French Cinema, which showcases new...
- 1/13/2017
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Nicholas Winding Refn: “This initiative gives young people in particular the chance to see films and understand that film is a futuristic language.” Photo: Richard Mowe
Should the film industry really be encouraging people to watch films on their mobiles, tablets and computer screens rather than experiencing them, initially at least, in cinemas?
Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Only God Forgives) declared in Paris that he has no inhibitions about how film fans consume cinema. “There are as many variations in watching movies as there are sexual positions,” he posited rather controversially.
Isabelle Giordano (Unifrance director general): The philosophy behind the event is to give a new lease of life to titles that may not have had adequate exposure through conventional channels Photo: Richard Mowe
He heads the film-makers’ jury for the Unifrance initiative MyFrenchFilmFestival which was launched at a shindig in the Eiffel Tower as part of...
Should the film industry really be encouraging people to watch films on their mobiles, tablets and computer screens rather than experiencing them, initially at least, in cinemas?
Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Only God Forgives) declared in Paris that he has no inhibitions about how film fans consume cinema. “There are as many variations in watching movies as there are sexual positions,” he posited rather controversially.
Isabelle Giordano (Unifrance director general): The philosophy behind the event is to give a new lease of life to titles that may not have had adequate exposure through conventional channels Photo: Richard Mowe
He heads the film-makers’ jury for the Unifrance initiative MyFrenchFilmFestival which was launched at a shindig in the Eiffel Tower as part of...
- 1/19/2016
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Launch party at the Intercontinental Grand Hotel in Paris for the 18th Rendezvous with French Cinema Photo: Richard Mowe
The first major market of the year for French cinema opened last night (14 January) in Paris where hundreds of buyers, distributors, sales agents and press gathered for the annual Unifrance Rendezvous with French Cinema based around the Intercontinental Grand Hotel and the Gaumont Opera Capucines cinemas along one of the traditional boulevards in the heart of the City of Light.
Despite France’s continuing high state of terror alert in the wake of the Bataclan attacks and the anniversary of the Charlie Hebo massacre, the mood among the assembled throng was convivial, although searches on the way in to cinemas, hotels and shops has become obligatory and a constant reminder of the vulnerability of daily life in any major city.
Lining up at the Gaumont Opera Capucines - the team from...
The first major market of the year for French cinema opened last night (14 January) in Paris where hundreds of buyers, distributors, sales agents and press gathered for the annual Unifrance Rendezvous with French Cinema based around the Intercontinental Grand Hotel and the Gaumont Opera Capucines cinemas along one of the traditional boulevards in the heart of the City of Light.
Despite France’s continuing high state of terror alert in the wake of the Bataclan attacks and the anniversary of the Charlie Hebo massacre, the mood among the assembled throng was convivial, although searches on the way in to cinemas, hotels and shops has become obligatory and a constant reminder of the vulnerability of daily life in any major city.
Lining up at the Gaumont Opera Capucines - the team from...
- 1/15/2016
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Cannes Film festival was an exceptional edition for French films this year. A focus on the rising generation of French actors and directors that have been highlighted in Cannes and will most certainly be the stars of tomorrow was compiled by Unifrance chief Isabelle Giordano.
They are a force to be reckoned with. Unifrance films is ready to bet that you will certainly hear about these ten talented people. They represent the French cinema of today and will soon be on the screens worldwide.
Emmanuelle Bercot
An actress and a director, Emmanuelle Bercot began by enrolling at the Cours Florent drama school and taking dancing lessons after her baccalaureate. She graduated from Femis in 1998, after winning the Prix du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival for her short film "Les Vacances," in 1997. After her first few roles in the films of Jean-François Richet and Michel Deville, her career as an actress took off when Claude Miller gave her one of the main roles in "La Classe de neige" (1998). The following year, she made the headlines with the medium-length film she directed called "La Puce," presented in the selection of Un Certain Regard at Cannes. This film tells of the love affair between a 35-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl, played by Isild Le Besco.
Her first feature-length film, "Clément" (2001), is about the life of a troubled woman who has one adventure after another with various men until she meets a 14-yearold boy. Her second film, "Backstage" (2004), continues to explore teenage angst through a relationship between a hit singer and a young obsessional fan. She earned her first critical and public acclaim with "On My Way" (2013), the third film written by the director for Catherine Deneuve, in which the star plays a woman who has decided to leave everything behind and hit the road in France.
She was indisputably the most talked about person during the Cannes Film Festival 2015, both as an actress and a director. Thierry Frémaux surprised everyone by announcing that "Standing Tall," Emmanuelle Bercot’s fourth feature-length film would open the 68th Cannes Film Festival. Emmanuelle Bercot says that she has rediscovered the social fiber of her beginnings with this tale of juvenile delinquency. After the enthusiastic and unanimous reception of her film, she won the Best Actress Award for her role as a woman under the influence of love in the film "Mon Roi" by Maïwenn, with whom she co-wrote the script for "Polisse," which won the Prix du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012
Thomas Bidegain
Thomas Bidegain may well be one of the best known French screenwriters in the profession today, but it took him ten years to achieve this status. His career path in film is anything but ordinary. He started out in the 1990s by distributing and producing independent American films: "Ice Storm" by Ang Lee and "Chasing Sleep" by Michael Walker. He came back to France and joined MK2 where he became director of distribution. In 1999, he returned to production for "Why Not." In 2007, he told the story of his attempt to stop smoking in "Arrêter de fumer tue," a personal diary that was turned into a documentary, then a book.
In the meantime, he began screenwriting and worked on several projects. In 2009, he wrote the screenplay for Jacques Audiard’s film, "A Prophet," alongside Nicolas Peufaillit and Abdel Raouf Dafri, which won the Grand Prix du Jury in 2009. He participated in Audiard’s next film, "Rust and Bone" and "Our Children" by Joachim Lafosse. He was also the co-writer for "Saint Laurent" by Bertrand Bonello. Winning a César for the best original script and a César for the best adaptation, he presented "Cowboys" at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs in Cannes this year, his first film as a director. He is also co-writer of "Ni le ciel ni la terre" by Clément Cogitore, presented during the Semaine de la Critique, as well as co-writer of the script for Jacques Audiard’s latest film, "Dheepan," which won the Palme d’Or.
Louise Bourgoin
Louise Bourgoin attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts for five years, during which she began her career as a model. After she graduated from art school in 2004, she radically changed direction and became a presenter on cable TV. She was Miss Météo in Le Grand Journal on Canal + from 2006 to 2008. Her slot became essential viewing and attracted a wide audience, including the attention of the film industry.
She began her acting career in "The Girl from Monaco" by Anne Fontaine, and her performance earned her a César nomination for Most Promising Actress. This recognition led to a whole series of roles and launched her career in film. She headed the bill of several films in 2010 ("White as Snow" by Christophe Blanc, "Sweet Valentine" by Emma Luchini, and "Black Heaven" by Gilles Marchand). The same year, Luc Besson selected her for the leading role in "The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec."
Since then, Louise Bourgoin has played in film after film, and has taken her first steps in the international scene with her part in the American film "The Love Punch" by Joel Hopkins. She attracted attention at the Cannes Film Festival this year with her unusual role in Laurent Larivière’s first film, "I Am a Soldier," presented at Un Certain Regard.
Anaïs Demoustier
Her passion for acting started at a very young age and rapidly pushed her to take drama classes. She auditioned, when still a teenager, and got her first role alongside Isabelle Huppert in "Time of the Wolf" by Michael Haneke. After this, her career was launched and she played in a series of films among which "L’Année suivante" by Isabelle Czajka, "Hellphone" by James Huth, "The Beautiful Person" by Christophe Honoré, "Sois sage" by Juliette Garcias, "Sweet Evil" by Olivier Coussemacq, "Dear Prudene" by Rebecca Zlotowski, "Snows of Kilimanjaro" by Robert Guédiguian, "Thérèse Desqueyroux" by Claude Miller, "Quai d’Orsay" by Bertrand Tavernier, "Paris Follies" by Marc Fitoussi, etc.
A filmography rich of 30 films for an actress who isn’t 30 years old yet. In 2014, the press talked about the blooming of Anaïs Demoustier because her face and poise became essential to cinema. Present in "Bird People" by Pascale Ferran, "Caprices" by Emmanuel Mouret, "À trois on y va" by Jérôme Bonnell and "The New Girlfriend" by François Ozon, she is Marguerite in the last Valérie Donzelli’s film, "Marguerite et Julien" screened in Official selection in Cannes.
Louis Garrel
The son of actress Brigitte Sy and the director Philippe Garrel, he began his career in film thanks to his father, who started filming him at the age of six in "Emergency Kisses," alongside his mother and his grandfather, Maurice Garrel. He went onto study drama at the Conservatoire National d’Art Dramatique. He made his real cinema debut in 2001 in the film "Ceci est mon corps" by Rodolphe Marconi. Two years later, he played opposite Michael Pitt and the future Bond girl, Eva Green, in "The Dreamers" by Bernardo Bertolucci.
He then starred in another of his father’s films, "Regular Lovers". His performance earned him the César for the Most Promising Actor in 2005. Since then, he has played alongside the greatest, such as Isabelle Huppert in "Ma mère" by Christophe Honoré. This marked the beginning of a long collaboration between the filmmaker and the actor. They worked together in the film "In Paris" with Romain Duris, then in 2007 in "Love Songs" with Ludivine Sagnier, in "The Beautiful Person" with Léa Seydoux, in "Making Plans" for Lena with Chiara Mostroianni and, finally, in " Beloved" with Catherine Deneuve. He also topped the bill with Valéria Bruni Tedeschi in "Actresses," whom he worked with again in 2013 in "A Castle in Italy."
In 2010, he directed a short film, "The Little Tailor," in which he directed Léa Seydoux. He performed once again in one of his father’s films, "A Burning Hot Summer," followed by "Jealousy." In 2014, he starred in Bertrand Bonello’s film "Saint Laurent," a role which led to another César nomination, but this time in the best supporting role category. His first feature-length film, "Two Friends," presented at a Certain Regard, was applauded by the critics. He also starred in "Mon Roi," Maïwenn’s fourth feature-length film, alongside Emmanuelle and Vincent Cassel, presented as part of the official selection.
Guillaume Gouix
After studying at the Conservatoire in Marseille and the Ecole Régionale d’Acteur de Cannes, Guillaume Gouix began his career in television. He played the male lead in "The Lion Cubs," by Claire Doyon, in 2003. Noted for his performance, especially the highly physical aspect of it and his intense gaze, he then played a series of supporting roles as a young hoodlum in "Les Mauvais joueurs" by Frédéric Balekdjian and in "Chacun sa nuit," by Jean-Marc Barr and Pascal Arnold. He featured in the 2007 war film "Intimate Enemies" by Florent Emilio Siri, thus confirming his taste for complex characters.
The following year, he was applauded for his performance in the film "Behind the Walls" by Christian Faure. In 2010, he starred in "22 Bullets" by Richard Berry and in 2011, he established his reputation with roles in "Nobody Else But You" by Gérald Hustache-Mathieu, "Et soudain, tout le monde me manque" by Jennifer Devoldere, and "Jimmy Rivière," Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s film debut.
He also appeared in "Midnight in Paris" by Woody Allen. He more recently starred in "Attila Marcel," by Sylvain Chomet, in which he played the lead role, in "French Women" by Audrey Dana, and "The Connection" by Cédric Jimenez with Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lelouche. He performed in three films presented at Cannes this year ("Les Anarchistes" by Elie Wajeman, which opened the Semaine de la Critique, "La Vie en grand" by Mathieu Vadepied, which closed the week, and in "Enragés" by Eric Hannezo, screened at the Cinéma de la Plage). He also directed his first short film "Alexis Ivanovitch, vous êtes mon héros" in 2011 and will soon start on a feature-length film, which is currently being written. He will be topping the bill in 2015 with "Braqueurs," a thriller by Julien Leclercq.
Ariane Labed
Born in Greece to French parents, Ariane Labed has always navigated between her two countries. She studied drama at the University of Provence and began her acting career treading the boards. After setting up a company combining dance and theater, Ariane Labed returned to live in Greece where she played at the National Theater of Athens. 2010 was the year of her first film, "Attenberg," directed by Athiná-Rachél Tsangári. "Alps" by Yorgos Lanthi-mos, the following year, confirmed the talent of this strangely charming actress. Two years later, she starred in "Before Midnight" by Richard Linklater where she played the role of Anna. The follow-up to "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset," this third part of the saga was a great success, making Labed known to a wider audience.
In 2014, she played a young sailor in "Fidelio, Alice’s Odyssey," who is torn between faithfulness and her desire to live her life. Winning the best actress award at the Locarno Film Festival and nominated for a César, the French actress gives a brilliant performance in Lucie Borleteau’s first feature-length film. She joined Yorgos Lanthimos in Cannes in 2015, where he won the Prix du Jury for his film "The Lobster."
Vincent Macaigne
Vincent Macaigne is the leading light in young French cinema. He joined the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique in Paris in 1999, appearing on stage and assuming the role of director. His free adaptations of the great classics of literature and drama earned him public and critical acclaim. He directed "The Idiot" by Dostoïevski and presented "Au moins j’aurai laissé un beau cadavre in Avignon," inspired by Hamlet. He also rapidly made a name for himself in demanding art-house films. In 2001, he was seen for the first time in "Replay" by Catherine Corsini. In 2007, he starred in "On War" by Bertrand Bonello and in 2010, in "A Burning Hot Summer" by Philippe Garrel.
Since 2011, Vincent Macaigne’s presence in short, medium and full-length films has gradually increased. Faithful to his directors, he has starred in several of their films. As is the case with his friend Guillaume Brac, who directed him in "Le Naufragé," "Tonnerre" and "Un monde sans femmes." He was awarded the Grand Prix and the Prix Télérama at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and the Prix Lutin for Best Actor in this film. Under the direction of Vincent Mariette, he played in "Les Lézards" then "Fool Circle." In 2013, we find the funny and touching thirty-something in "La fille du 14 juillet" by Antonin Peretjatko, "Age of Panic" by Justine Triet, and "2 Autumns, 3 Winters" by Sébastien Betbeder.
He was discovered by the general public at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Considered a figurehead of the revival of French cinema, Vincent has drawn the attention of the Cahiers du Cinéma, and even the British newspaper The Observer, which referred to him as the “new Gérard Depardieu”. In 2011, he directed "What We’ll Leave Behind," a very well-received medium-length film which won the Grand Prix at the Clermont-Ferrand Festival. He also starred in Mia Hansen-løve’s 2014 film "Eden." He plays one of the main roles in the actor Louis Garrel’s first feature-length film, "Two Friends," presented during the Semaine de la Critique. He also featured in his 2011 film, La Règle de trois.
Vimala Pons
From the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique, where she attended drama classes even though she wanted to be a screenwriter, to circus tents, Vimala Pons is an acrobat in all senses of the word. The 29-year-old actress has established her physical and poetic presence in French art-house films. She began her career in film with Albert Dupontel in "Enfermés dehors" in 2006. She then starred in "Eden Log" by Franck Vestiel in 2007, then in "Granny’s Funeral" by Bruno Podalydès in 2012.
Since then, we have seen her cross France in a little blue dress in "La Fille du 14 juillet," (she plays the girl) by Antonin Peretjatko, and changing into a lioness in "Métamorphoses," by Christophe Honoré. The impetuous muse of French independent film, Vimala Pons played in "Vincent" by Thomas Salvador this year. The actress has made a name for herself in 2015, in particular with "Comme un avion" by Bruno Podalydès, "Je suis à vous tout de suite" by Baya Kasmi, "La vie très privée de Monsieur Sim" by Michel Leclerc, and "L’Ombre des femmes" by Philippe Garrel (presented at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs this year in Cannes). She has also begun an international career, with a leading role in Paul Verhoeven’s latest film, "Elle."
Alice Winocour
The director Alice Winocour started out at Femis. After going into law, she returned to film and won three prizes for her short film "Kitchen: Prix TV5" for the best French-language short film, best international short film and the Silver Bear at the Festival of Nations (Ebensee). For "Magic Paris," she was awarded the jury prize at the St. Petersburg International Documentary, Short Film and Animated Film Festival.
She continued her career by writing the script for the film "Ordinary," by Vladimir Perisic. At the Cannes Film Festival 2012, Alice Winocour made a marked entry in the international arena with a film by a woman about women and the unchanging way of looking at them. In the film "Augustine," we are told the story of a professor and his patient, played by Vincent Lindon and Soko respectively. In 2015, she brought out her second feature-length film, "Maryland," which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 68th Cannes Film Festival. She is also the co-writer of "Mustang," by Denis Gamze Ergüven, presented at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs.
They are a force to be reckoned with. Unifrance films is ready to bet that you will certainly hear about these ten talented people. They represent the French cinema of today and will soon be on the screens worldwide.
Emmanuelle Bercot
An actress and a director, Emmanuelle Bercot began by enrolling at the Cours Florent drama school and taking dancing lessons after her baccalaureate. She graduated from Femis in 1998, after winning the Prix du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival for her short film "Les Vacances," in 1997. After her first few roles in the films of Jean-François Richet and Michel Deville, her career as an actress took off when Claude Miller gave her one of the main roles in "La Classe de neige" (1998). The following year, she made the headlines with the medium-length film she directed called "La Puce," presented in the selection of Un Certain Regard at Cannes. This film tells of the love affair between a 35-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl, played by Isild Le Besco.
Her first feature-length film, "Clément" (2001), is about the life of a troubled woman who has one adventure after another with various men until she meets a 14-yearold boy. Her second film, "Backstage" (2004), continues to explore teenage angst through a relationship between a hit singer and a young obsessional fan. She earned her first critical and public acclaim with "On My Way" (2013), the third film written by the director for Catherine Deneuve, in which the star plays a woman who has decided to leave everything behind and hit the road in France.
She was indisputably the most talked about person during the Cannes Film Festival 2015, both as an actress and a director. Thierry Frémaux surprised everyone by announcing that "Standing Tall," Emmanuelle Bercot’s fourth feature-length film would open the 68th Cannes Film Festival. Emmanuelle Bercot says that she has rediscovered the social fiber of her beginnings with this tale of juvenile delinquency. After the enthusiastic and unanimous reception of her film, she won the Best Actress Award for her role as a woman under the influence of love in the film "Mon Roi" by Maïwenn, with whom she co-wrote the script for "Polisse," which won the Prix du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012
Thomas Bidegain
Thomas Bidegain may well be one of the best known French screenwriters in the profession today, but it took him ten years to achieve this status. His career path in film is anything but ordinary. He started out in the 1990s by distributing and producing independent American films: "Ice Storm" by Ang Lee and "Chasing Sleep" by Michael Walker. He came back to France and joined MK2 where he became director of distribution. In 1999, he returned to production for "Why Not." In 2007, he told the story of his attempt to stop smoking in "Arrêter de fumer tue," a personal diary that was turned into a documentary, then a book.
In the meantime, he began screenwriting and worked on several projects. In 2009, he wrote the screenplay for Jacques Audiard’s film, "A Prophet," alongside Nicolas Peufaillit and Abdel Raouf Dafri, which won the Grand Prix du Jury in 2009. He participated in Audiard’s next film, "Rust and Bone" and "Our Children" by Joachim Lafosse. He was also the co-writer for "Saint Laurent" by Bertrand Bonello. Winning a César for the best original script and a César for the best adaptation, he presented "Cowboys" at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs in Cannes this year, his first film as a director. He is also co-writer of "Ni le ciel ni la terre" by Clément Cogitore, presented during the Semaine de la Critique, as well as co-writer of the script for Jacques Audiard’s latest film, "Dheepan," which won the Palme d’Or.
Louise Bourgoin
Louise Bourgoin attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts for five years, during which she began her career as a model. After she graduated from art school in 2004, she radically changed direction and became a presenter on cable TV. She was Miss Météo in Le Grand Journal on Canal + from 2006 to 2008. Her slot became essential viewing and attracted a wide audience, including the attention of the film industry.
She began her acting career in "The Girl from Monaco" by Anne Fontaine, and her performance earned her a César nomination for Most Promising Actress. This recognition led to a whole series of roles and launched her career in film. She headed the bill of several films in 2010 ("White as Snow" by Christophe Blanc, "Sweet Valentine" by Emma Luchini, and "Black Heaven" by Gilles Marchand). The same year, Luc Besson selected her for the leading role in "The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec."
Since then, Louise Bourgoin has played in film after film, and has taken her first steps in the international scene with her part in the American film "The Love Punch" by Joel Hopkins. She attracted attention at the Cannes Film Festival this year with her unusual role in Laurent Larivière’s first film, "I Am a Soldier," presented at Un Certain Regard.
Anaïs Demoustier
Her passion for acting started at a very young age and rapidly pushed her to take drama classes. She auditioned, when still a teenager, and got her first role alongside Isabelle Huppert in "Time of the Wolf" by Michael Haneke. After this, her career was launched and she played in a series of films among which "L’Année suivante" by Isabelle Czajka, "Hellphone" by James Huth, "The Beautiful Person" by Christophe Honoré, "Sois sage" by Juliette Garcias, "Sweet Evil" by Olivier Coussemacq, "Dear Prudene" by Rebecca Zlotowski, "Snows of Kilimanjaro" by Robert Guédiguian, "Thérèse Desqueyroux" by Claude Miller, "Quai d’Orsay" by Bertrand Tavernier, "Paris Follies" by Marc Fitoussi, etc.
A filmography rich of 30 films for an actress who isn’t 30 years old yet. In 2014, the press talked about the blooming of Anaïs Demoustier because her face and poise became essential to cinema. Present in "Bird People" by Pascale Ferran, "Caprices" by Emmanuel Mouret, "À trois on y va" by Jérôme Bonnell and "The New Girlfriend" by François Ozon, she is Marguerite in the last Valérie Donzelli’s film, "Marguerite et Julien" screened in Official selection in Cannes.
Louis Garrel
The son of actress Brigitte Sy and the director Philippe Garrel, he began his career in film thanks to his father, who started filming him at the age of six in "Emergency Kisses," alongside his mother and his grandfather, Maurice Garrel. He went onto study drama at the Conservatoire National d’Art Dramatique. He made his real cinema debut in 2001 in the film "Ceci est mon corps" by Rodolphe Marconi. Two years later, he played opposite Michael Pitt and the future Bond girl, Eva Green, in "The Dreamers" by Bernardo Bertolucci.
He then starred in another of his father’s films, "Regular Lovers". His performance earned him the César for the Most Promising Actor in 2005. Since then, he has played alongside the greatest, such as Isabelle Huppert in "Ma mère" by Christophe Honoré. This marked the beginning of a long collaboration between the filmmaker and the actor. They worked together in the film "In Paris" with Romain Duris, then in 2007 in "Love Songs" with Ludivine Sagnier, in "The Beautiful Person" with Léa Seydoux, in "Making Plans" for Lena with Chiara Mostroianni and, finally, in " Beloved" with Catherine Deneuve. He also topped the bill with Valéria Bruni Tedeschi in "Actresses," whom he worked with again in 2013 in "A Castle in Italy."
In 2010, he directed a short film, "The Little Tailor," in which he directed Léa Seydoux. He performed once again in one of his father’s films, "A Burning Hot Summer," followed by "Jealousy." In 2014, he starred in Bertrand Bonello’s film "Saint Laurent," a role which led to another César nomination, but this time in the best supporting role category. His first feature-length film, "Two Friends," presented at a Certain Regard, was applauded by the critics. He also starred in "Mon Roi," Maïwenn’s fourth feature-length film, alongside Emmanuelle and Vincent Cassel, presented as part of the official selection.
Guillaume Gouix
After studying at the Conservatoire in Marseille and the Ecole Régionale d’Acteur de Cannes, Guillaume Gouix began his career in television. He played the male lead in "The Lion Cubs," by Claire Doyon, in 2003. Noted for his performance, especially the highly physical aspect of it and his intense gaze, he then played a series of supporting roles as a young hoodlum in "Les Mauvais joueurs" by Frédéric Balekdjian and in "Chacun sa nuit," by Jean-Marc Barr and Pascal Arnold. He featured in the 2007 war film "Intimate Enemies" by Florent Emilio Siri, thus confirming his taste for complex characters.
The following year, he was applauded for his performance in the film "Behind the Walls" by Christian Faure. In 2010, he starred in "22 Bullets" by Richard Berry and in 2011, he established his reputation with roles in "Nobody Else But You" by Gérald Hustache-Mathieu, "Et soudain, tout le monde me manque" by Jennifer Devoldere, and "Jimmy Rivière," Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s film debut.
He also appeared in "Midnight in Paris" by Woody Allen. He more recently starred in "Attila Marcel," by Sylvain Chomet, in which he played the lead role, in "French Women" by Audrey Dana, and "The Connection" by Cédric Jimenez with Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lelouche. He performed in three films presented at Cannes this year ("Les Anarchistes" by Elie Wajeman, which opened the Semaine de la Critique, "La Vie en grand" by Mathieu Vadepied, which closed the week, and in "Enragés" by Eric Hannezo, screened at the Cinéma de la Plage). He also directed his first short film "Alexis Ivanovitch, vous êtes mon héros" in 2011 and will soon start on a feature-length film, which is currently being written. He will be topping the bill in 2015 with "Braqueurs," a thriller by Julien Leclercq.
Ariane Labed
Born in Greece to French parents, Ariane Labed has always navigated between her two countries. She studied drama at the University of Provence and began her acting career treading the boards. After setting up a company combining dance and theater, Ariane Labed returned to live in Greece where she played at the National Theater of Athens. 2010 was the year of her first film, "Attenberg," directed by Athiná-Rachél Tsangári. "Alps" by Yorgos Lanthi-mos, the following year, confirmed the talent of this strangely charming actress. Two years later, she starred in "Before Midnight" by Richard Linklater where she played the role of Anna. The follow-up to "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset," this third part of the saga was a great success, making Labed known to a wider audience.
In 2014, she played a young sailor in "Fidelio, Alice’s Odyssey," who is torn between faithfulness and her desire to live her life. Winning the best actress award at the Locarno Film Festival and nominated for a César, the French actress gives a brilliant performance in Lucie Borleteau’s first feature-length film. She joined Yorgos Lanthimos in Cannes in 2015, where he won the Prix du Jury for his film "The Lobster."
Vincent Macaigne
Vincent Macaigne is the leading light in young French cinema. He joined the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique in Paris in 1999, appearing on stage and assuming the role of director. His free adaptations of the great classics of literature and drama earned him public and critical acclaim. He directed "The Idiot" by Dostoïevski and presented "Au moins j’aurai laissé un beau cadavre in Avignon," inspired by Hamlet. He also rapidly made a name for himself in demanding art-house films. In 2001, he was seen for the first time in "Replay" by Catherine Corsini. In 2007, he starred in "On War" by Bertrand Bonello and in 2010, in "A Burning Hot Summer" by Philippe Garrel.
Since 2011, Vincent Macaigne’s presence in short, medium and full-length films has gradually increased. Faithful to his directors, he has starred in several of their films. As is the case with his friend Guillaume Brac, who directed him in "Le Naufragé," "Tonnerre" and "Un monde sans femmes." He was awarded the Grand Prix and the Prix Télérama at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and the Prix Lutin for Best Actor in this film. Under the direction of Vincent Mariette, he played in "Les Lézards" then "Fool Circle." In 2013, we find the funny and touching thirty-something in "La fille du 14 juillet" by Antonin Peretjatko, "Age of Panic" by Justine Triet, and "2 Autumns, 3 Winters" by Sébastien Betbeder.
He was discovered by the general public at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Considered a figurehead of the revival of French cinema, Vincent has drawn the attention of the Cahiers du Cinéma, and even the British newspaper The Observer, which referred to him as the “new Gérard Depardieu”. In 2011, he directed "What We’ll Leave Behind," a very well-received medium-length film which won the Grand Prix at the Clermont-Ferrand Festival. He also starred in Mia Hansen-løve’s 2014 film "Eden." He plays one of the main roles in the actor Louis Garrel’s first feature-length film, "Two Friends," presented during the Semaine de la Critique. He also featured in his 2011 film, La Règle de trois.
Vimala Pons
From the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique, where she attended drama classes even though she wanted to be a screenwriter, to circus tents, Vimala Pons is an acrobat in all senses of the word. The 29-year-old actress has established her physical and poetic presence in French art-house films. She began her career in film with Albert Dupontel in "Enfermés dehors" in 2006. She then starred in "Eden Log" by Franck Vestiel in 2007, then in "Granny’s Funeral" by Bruno Podalydès in 2012.
Since then, we have seen her cross France in a little blue dress in "La Fille du 14 juillet," (she plays the girl) by Antonin Peretjatko, and changing into a lioness in "Métamorphoses," by Christophe Honoré. The impetuous muse of French independent film, Vimala Pons played in "Vincent" by Thomas Salvador this year. The actress has made a name for herself in 2015, in particular with "Comme un avion" by Bruno Podalydès, "Je suis à vous tout de suite" by Baya Kasmi, "La vie très privée de Monsieur Sim" by Michel Leclerc, and "L’Ombre des femmes" by Philippe Garrel (presented at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs this year in Cannes). She has also begun an international career, with a leading role in Paul Verhoeven’s latest film, "Elle."
Alice Winocour
The director Alice Winocour started out at Femis. After going into law, she returned to film and won three prizes for her short film "Kitchen: Prix TV5" for the best French-language short film, best international short film and the Silver Bear at the Festival of Nations (Ebensee). For "Magic Paris," she was awarded the jury prize at the St. Petersburg International Documentary, Short Film and Animated Film Festival.
She continued her career by writing the script for the film "Ordinary," by Vladimir Perisic. At the Cannes Film Festival 2012, Alice Winocour made a marked entry in the international arena with a film by a woman about women and the unchanging way of looking at them. In the film "Augustine," we are told the story of a professor and his patient, played by Vincent Lindon and Soko respectively. In 2015, she brought out her second feature-length film, "Maryland," which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 68th Cannes Film Festival. She is also the co-writer of "Mustang," by Denis Gamze Ergüven, presented at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs.
- 7/5/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and UniFrance Films have announced the lineup for the 20th Anniversary of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, an annual showcase of the best in contemporary French film. The 2015 program will hit screens at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the IFC Center and BAMcinématek from March 6-15. The lineup, which consists of 22 feature films and four short films making their New York, U.S. or North American premieres, demonstrates that the landscape of French cinema has never been more fertile, and the voices issuing from it never more diverse. "Twenty years is a fitting anniversary to celebrate French cinema and its love affair with New York, a city which has inspired so many directors, and which has always reserved a warm welcome for French films," said Isabelle Giordano, Executive Director of UniFrance films. "I’m delighted to present to you the originality, the audacity, the insolence and the glamour that.
- 2/2/2015
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Isabelle Giordano, Unifrance director general, introduces director / producer Luc Besson at the 17th Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris Photo: Richard Mowe
French movie mogul Luc Besson was described as “Man of the Year” by Unifrance director-general Isabelle Giordano, a former Madame Cinéma for the TV Channel Canal Plus when she and the promotional organisation’s president, Jean-Paul Salomé, unveiled good news figures for French films over the last year.
At a Parisian soirée held in the restored surrounds of the Carreau de Temple, an old market building designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Tower fame) it was announced last night (16 January) that French films scored their second best ever year outside France taking more than 768 million dollars at the international box office or 111 million admissions.
Isabelle Girodano, Unifrance general director and president Jean-Paul Salomé Photo: Richard Mowe
Besson’s science fiction actioner Lucy with Scarlett Johansson (premiered at the Locarno...
French movie mogul Luc Besson was described as “Man of the Year” by Unifrance director-general Isabelle Giordano, a former Madame Cinéma for the TV Channel Canal Plus when she and the promotional organisation’s president, Jean-Paul Salomé, unveiled good news figures for French films over the last year.
At a Parisian soirée held in the restored surrounds of the Carreau de Temple, an old market building designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Tower fame) it was announced last night (16 January) that French films scored their second best ever year outside France taking more than 768 million dollars at the international box office or 111 million admissions.
Isabelle Girodano, Unifrance general director and president Jean-Paul Salomé Photo: Richard Mowe
Besson’s science fiction actioner Lucy with Scarlett Johansson (premiered at the Locarno...
- 1/17/2015
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Annual event set to showcase 90 French productions, 48 of them market premieres.
Unifrance’s annual Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris will kick-off as planned on Thursday (Jan 15), a week after a series of terrorist attacks, in which 17 people were killed, rocked the capital.
France remains on high alert after the shooting of 12 people at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, by two radicalised brothers offended by its cartoon depictions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed; the shooting of a police woman and the slaughter of four people at a kosher supermarket in the east of the city.
The French government announced on Monday that it was deploying 10,000 troops to protect vulnerable sites across the country — including Jewish schools and neighbourhoods – amid news that security forces believed at least six members of the terrorist cell that plotted the attacks may still be at large.
Charlie Hebdo’s surviving staff have responded to the attack with a new edition of the...
Unifrance’s annual Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris will kick-off as planned on Thursday (Jan 15), a week after a series of terrorist attacks, in which 17 people were killed, rocked the capital.
France remains on high alert after the shooting of 12 people at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, by two radicalised brothers offended by its cartoon depictions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed; the shooting of a police woman and the slaughter of four people at a kosher supermarket in the east of the city.
The French government announced on Monday that it was deploying 10,000 troops to protect vulnerable sites across the country — including Jewish schools and neighbourhoods – amid news that security forces believed at least six members of the terrorist cell that plotted the attacks may still be at large.
Charlie Hebdo’s surviving staff have responded to the attack with a new edition of the...
- 1/13/2015
- ScreenDaily
Annual event set to showcase 90 French productions, 48 of them market premieres.
Unifrance’s annual Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris will kick-off as planned on Thursday (Jan 15), a week after a series of terrorist attacks, in which 17 people were killed, rocked the capital.
France remains on high alert after the shooting of 12 people at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, by two radicalised brothers offended by its cartoon depictions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed; the shooting of a police woman and the slaughter of four people at a kosher supermarket in the east of the city.
The French government announced on Monday that it was deploying 10,000 troops to protect vulnerable sites across the country — including Jewish schools and neighbourhoods – amid news that security forces believed at least six members of the terrorist cell that plotted the attacks may still be at large.
Charlie Hebdo’s surviving staff have responded to the attack with a new edition of the...
Unifrance’s annual Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris will kick-off as planned on Thursday (Jan 15), a week after a series of terrorist attacks, in which 17 people were killed, rocked the capital.
France remains on high alert after the shooting of 12 people at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, by two radicalised brothers offended by its cartoon depictions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed; the shooting of a police woman and the slaughter of four people at a kosher supermarket in the east of the city.
The French government announced on Monday that it was deploying 10,000 troops to protect vulnerable sites across the country — including Jewish schools and neighbourhoods – amid news that security forces believed at least six members of the terrorist cell that plotted the attacks may still be at large.
Charlie Hebdo’s surviving staff have responded to the attack with a new edition of the...
- 1/13/2015
- ScreenDaily
Boom in French films at Toronto complements the expansion plans of French promotion agency Unifrance.
French cinema is enjoying a boom at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which hosts a record 41 French films.
French features make up around 15% of Tiff’s lineup, more than any other international market.
The growth complements the expansions plans of French promotion agency Unifrance, according to executive director Isabelle Giordano.
“I want to be more aggressive in giving French cinema a greater presence in the international market place,” Giordano told Screen.
The push includes a greater presence in North America, Asia and Europe at festivals, markets and through new events.
“We want to have a bigger presence at the Afm, the Us exhibitors conference Show East and festivals like SXSW, who I am meeting today. In Asia, we see places like Busan as important growth areas.”
“We want to organise more masterclasses at universities in the Us, Asia and in...
French cinema is enjoying a boom at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which hosts a record 41 French films.
French features make up around 15% of Tiff’s lineup, more than any other international market.
The growth complements the expansions plans of French promotion agency Unifrance, according to executive director Isabelle Giordano.
“I want to be more aggressive in giving French cinema a greater presence in the international market place,” Giordano told Screen.
The push includes a greater presence in North America, Asia and Europe at festivals, markets and through new events.
“We want to have a bigger presence at the Afm, the Us exhibitors conference Show East and festivals like SXSW, who I am meeting today. In Asia, we see places like Busan as important growth areas.”
“We want to organise more masterclasses at universities in the Us, Asia and in...
- 9/7/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Fifth edition of annual showcase of contemporary French cinema to take place in key cities across the UK from April 23-28.
Marion Vernoux’s Bright Days Ahead (Les Beaux Jours) will open this year’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema.
Vernoux and lead actress Fanny Ardant will be in attendance at the Curzon Soho in London for a post-screening Q&A.
Run by UniFrance Films and the Institut français in London, the fifth edition of the annual showcase of contemporary French cinema will take place in key cities across the UK. As well as at the Curzon Soho and Ciné Lumière, films will screen in Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Nottingham, Oxford and at the Duke of York’s in Brighton.
Speaking to Screen, Isabelle Giordano, executive director of UniFrance Films, says the focus of this year’s showcase is to highlight burgeoning talent in France.
“What I would like to do for this edition is to focus on the...
Marion Vernoux’s Bright Days Ahead (Les Beaux Jours) will open this year’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema.
Vernoux and lead actress Fanny Ardant will be in attendance at the Curzon Soho in London for a post-screening Q&A.
Run by UniFrance Films and the Institut français in London, the fifth edition of the annual showcase of contemporary French cinema will take place in key cities across the UK. As well as at the Curzon Soho and Ciné Lumière, films will screen in Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Nottingham, Oxford and at the Duke of York’s in Brighton.
Speaking to Screen, Isabelle Giordano, executive director of UniFrance Films, says the focus of this year’s showcase is to highlight burgeoning talent in France.
“What I would like to do for this edition is to focus on the...
- 3/28/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Cinéast(e)s and Action! French & American Women Filmmakers with Deborah Kampmeier, Rebecca Zlotowski, Axelle Ropert, Stacie Passon, Julie Gayet, Isabelle Giordano, Ry Russo-Young, Katell Quillévéré and Justine Triet at the French Institute Alliance Française in New York Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze On International Women’s Day at the French Institute Alliance Française in New York, "not a filmmaker" Julie Gayet presented Cinéast(e)s: Women Filmmakers she made with Mathieu Busson. Directors interviewed include Agnès Varda, Mia Hansen-Løve, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Josiane Balasko, Julie Delpy, Lola Doillon, Sophie Letourneur, Lisa Azuelos, Rebecca Zlotowski, and Katell Quillévéré.
Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York filmmakers participating in the panel discussion moderated by Isabelle Giordano, executive director of uniFrance films, were Justine Triet, Axelle Ropert, Rebecca Zlotowski, Katell Quillévéré along with Us directors, Stacie Passon, Deborah Kampmeier, and Ry Russo-Young.
President of the French Institute Alliance Française Marie-Monique Steckel welcomed the participants.
Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York filmmakers participating in the panel discussion moderated by Isabelle Giordano, executive director of uniFrance films, were Justine Triet, Axelle Ropert, Rebecca Zlotowski, Katell Quillévéré along with Us directors, Stacie Passon, Deborah Kampmeier, and Ry Russo-Young.
President of the French Institute Alliance Française Marie-Monique Steckel welcomed the participants.
- 3/10/2014
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Charles Cohen on Catherine Deneuve in On My Way: "an incredible performance by the iconic Catherine Deneuve." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The Film Society of Lincoln Center, uniFrance Films and Cohen Media Group presented on the opening night of New York's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema at the Paris Theatre, Emmanuelle Bercot's On My Way (Elle s'en va), starring Catherine Deneuve. François Ozon with his star of Young And Beautiful (Jeune Et Jolie), Géraldine Pailhas, directors Sébastien Betbeder - 2 Autumns, 3 Winters (2 Automnes, 3 Hivers), Justine Triet - Age Of Panic (La Bataille De Solférino), Katell Quillévéré - Suzanne, Axelle Ropert - Miss And The Doctors (Tirez La Langue, Mademoiselle), Rebecca Zlotowski - Grand Central, and co-screenwriter Antonin Baudry of The French Minister (Quai D’Orsay) were among those who walked the red carpet.
Young and Beautiful director François Ozon with his star Géraldine Pailhas Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The evening was hosted with style by Charles Cohen,...
The Film Society of Lincoln Center, uniFrance Films and Cohen Media Group presented on the opening night of New York's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema at the Paris Theatre, Emmanuelle Bercot's On My Way (Elle s'en va), starring Catherine Deneuve. François Ozon with his star of Young And Beautiful (Jeune Et Jolie), Géraldine Pailhas, directors Sébastien Betbeder - 2 Autumns, 3 Winters (2 Automnes, 3 Hivers), Justine Triet - Age Of Panic (La Bataille De Solférino), Katell Quillévéré - Suzanne, Axelle Ropert - Miss And The Doctors (Tirez La Langue, Mademoiselle), Rebecca Zlotowski - Grand Central, and co-screenwriter Antonin Baudry of The French Minister (Quai D’Orsay) were among those who walked the red carpet.
Young and Beautiful director François Ozon with his star Géraldine Pailhas Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The evening was hosted with style by Charles Cohen,...
- 3/8/2014
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Keeping the mood buoyant at the Grand Hotel in Paris launch party: (from left) Jean-Paul Salomé, president of Unifrance, Isabelle Giordano, general director of Unifrance and Nicole Bricq, French Minister for Foreign Trade Photo: Richard Mowe
Although the general mood may not be as buoyant as in previous years the French film industry is putting on a brave face in the face of economic adversity. Richard Mowe reports from the annual Gallic film jamboree in Paris.
Despite the effects of recession at home and forecasts in some quarters that 2014 may be a very difficult year, the French film industry put on its best bib and tucker for a glamorous champagne-fuelled opening last night at the fabled Grand Hotel in Paris.
Hundreds of distributors and buyers from all over Europe as well as South America (for the first time) have gathered to look at the wares of the the French sales...
Although the general mood may not be as buoyant as in previous years the French film industry is putting on a brave face in the face of economic adversity. Richard Mowe reports from the annual Gallic film jamboree in Paris.
Despite the effects of recession at home and forecasts in some quarters that 2014 may be a very difficult year, the French film industry put on its best bib and tucker for a glamorous champagne-fuelled opening last night at the fabled Grand Hotel in Paris.
Hundreds of distributors and buyers from all over Europe as well as South America (for the first time) have gathered to look at the wares of the the French sales...
- 1/11/2014
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The 15th Mumbai Film Festival (Mff) presented by Reliance Entertainment and organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (Mami) scheduled between 17th-24th October is all set to showcase the best of contemporary French cinema and welcome artists for the 6th edition of the Rendez-vous with French Cinema co-organized with The French Embassy in India, Institut Français en Inde and Unifrance films.
As part of the festival highlights, Costa Gavras will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the opening ceremony in the presence of His Excellency Mr François Richier, Ambassador of France to India who will grace us with his presence especially for this occasion. Among others, Nathalie Baye, jury member of the international section, Mahamat Saleh Haroun, director of the film “Grigris”, Guillaume Brac, director of the film “Tonnerre” (Competition) and Leos Carax, well known film maker who will be conducting a masters class.
The special section “Rendez-vous...
As part of the festival highlights, Costa Gavras will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the opening ceremony in the presence of His Excellency Mr François Richier, Ambassador of France to India who will grace us with his presence especially for this occasion. Among others, Nathalie Baye, jury member of the international section, Mahamat Saleh Haroun, director of the film “Grigris”, Guillaume Brac, director of the film “Tonnerre” (Competition) and Leos Carax, well known film maker who will be conducting a masters class.
The special section “Rendez-vous...
- 10/18/2013
- by Pooja Rao
- Bollyspice
We in the U.S. all know Unifrance because French films are the most popular non-English language in the U.S. In the bad old days, everyone had to ask N.Y. Unifrance's Catherine Verret for a pass (free) for the festival but only those who had actually acquired a French film that year were granted a pass. John Kochman took over and the rules changed so buyers could apply to the market for all film entries. John was recently put on part-time because of cut backs.
Now the New York outpost can boast of Adeline Monzier as the new U.S. N.Y.-based representative of Unifrance. She is also a founder of USiP (U.S. in Progress) a showcase at the upcoming Champs Elysees Film Festival (June 13-17, 2013) and at the American Film Festival in Wroclaw (October 22-27, 2013), Poland where selected U.S. indies in post-production are seen by the best of Europa Distribution (another organization Adeline co-founded and remains active with as she does with Cicae, the indie exhibitor network of Europe which is working with our own Arthouse Convergence to boost the independent film sector.
This is a result of a new General Director of Unifrance, Isabelle Giordano.
This article comes thanks to Cineuropa.org:
Isabelle Giordano (aged 49) was appointed yesterday as General Director of Unifrance, the promotion agency for French cinema abroad. She will take over from Régine Hatchondo, who has occupied this position since 2009 and who is to take over the management of Cultural Affairs for the City of Paris. Isabelle Giordano will officially take office at the beginning of September, during the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.
Editor-in-chief, journalist, producer and host, especially for cinema programmes (Le Journal du Cinéma, Allons au cinéma ce week end, Le Fabuleux Destin de..., Une année à Cannes, Jour de fête etc.) for about twenty years, on television (Canal+, Arte, France 2 and France 3) and radio (France Inter), Isabelle Giordano is a well-known figure in the French cinema industry. She has also written, among other things, a biography of Romy Schneider and created the organization Cinéma pour tous, which organizes film screenings in deprived areas. She was also vice-president of the Cnc's commission for subsidies for the distribution of films for young audiences.
Contacted by Cineuropa, the President of Unifrance, Jean-Paul Salomé, commended this appointment. “Her knowledge of artistic talent is an important asset. Isabelle Giordano is quite close to directors and actors. She has an interesting profile. She notably produced a show called Service public on France Inter and I like her desire to serve the general interest. She is also widely familiar with political networks at a high level. And at a time when French cinema is regarded with a slightly distrustful eye by the political world in general, it is important to defend our ideas by having someone who has connections, a network, and at the same time the ability with which to express important things gently but firmly. This will blend well with my character and help to defend the cause of Unifrance very effectively.”
(Translated from French)...
Now the New York outpost can boast of Adeline Monzier as the new U.S. N.Y.-based representative of Unifrance. She is also a founder of USiP (U.S. in Progress) a showcase at the upcoming Champs Elysees Film Festival (June 13-17, 2013) and at the American Film Festival in Wroclaw (October 22-27, 2013), Poland where selected U.S. indies in post-production are seen by the best of Europa Distribution (another organization Adeline co-founded and remains active with as she does with Cicae, the indie exhibitor network of Europe which is working with our own Arthouse Convergence to boost the independent film sector.
This is a result of a new General Director of Unifrance, Isabelle Giordano.
This article comes thanks to Cineuropa.org:
Isabelle Giordano (aged 49) was appointed yesterday as General Director of Unifrance, the promotion agency for French cinema abroad. She will take over from Régine Hatchondo, who has occupied this position since 2009 and who is to take over the management of Cultural Affairs for the City of Paris. Isabelle Giordano will officially take office at the beginning of September, during the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.
Editor-in-chief, journalist, producer and host, especially for cinema programmes (Le Journal du Cinéma, Allons au cinéma ce week end, Le Fabuleux Destin de..., Une année à Cannes, Jour de fête etc.) for about twenty years, on television (Canal+, Arte, France 2 and France 3) and radio (France Inter), Isabelle Giordano is a well-known figure in the French cinema industry. She has also written, among other things, a biography of Romy Schneider and created the organization Cinéma pour tous, which organizes film screenings in deprived areas. She was also vice-president of the Cnc's commission for subsidies for the distribution of films for young audiences.
Contacted by Cineuropa, the President of Unifrance, Jean-Paul Salomé, commended this appointment. “Her knowledge of artistic talent is an important asset. Isabelle Giordano is quite close to directors and actors. She has an interesting profile. She notably produced a show called Service public on France Inter and I like her desire to serve the general interest. She is also widely familiar with political networks at a high level. And at a time when French cinema is regarded with a slightly distrustful eye by the political world in general, it is important to defend our ideas by having someone who has connections, a network, and at the same time the ability with which to express important things gently but firmly. This will blend well with my character and help to defend the cause of Unifrance very effectively.”
(Translated from French)...
- 6/6/2013
- by Fabien Lemercier
- Sydney's Buzz
Tribeca And Doha Film Fest End Partnership After four years of collaboration, the Doha Film Institute and Tribeca Enterprises have announced the dissolution of their partnership on the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. Doha Film Institute CEO Abdulaziz Al-Khater says the Qatar-based festival will continue in a “new niche” with future plans to be laid out during Cannes next month. I’m told the separation was amicable after Tribeca helped launch the festival. Last year, Dtff showcased Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist which was made with the backing of the Dfi. In Berlin earlier this year, Participant Media partnered with the Dfi to form a $100M revolving fund to finance a slate of feature films. Fraser Robinson Joins ITV Studios Global Entertainment Former NBC Universal International Channels exec Fraser Robinson has joined ITV Studios Global Entertainment as VP scripted acquisitions & co-productions. He will be charged with growing the drama slate...
- 5/1/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
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