The American French Film Festival is celebrating its 30th year with a program of 60 films, shorts and series, alongside industry panels, talks and workshops. The event runs through Nov. 8 and is presented by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a partnership involving U.S. film and writers’ organizations and French cultural groups, including the CNC.
Festival deputy director Anouchka van Riel describes the event as a bridge between the United States and France. Its cross-border approach is reflected in the opening-night film, “In Waves,” an English-language animated feature based on a U.S. graphic novel. French producers acquired the project, which was developed at the festival, and Netflix bought it in Cannes.
Executive producer and programmer François Truffart, who has held the role since 2004, says the festival has helped broaden perceptions of French cinema. Its selection spans genres and formats, including documentaries, animation and short films, with the aim of pairing distinctive perspectives with themes that can connect with U.S. audiences.
The lineup also includes films in the international Oscar race: Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur,” France’s entry; Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s “All of a Sudden,” representing Japan; Lucas Dhont’s “Coward,” from Belgium; Cristian Mungiu’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Fjord,” from Romania; and Laïla Marrakchi’s “Strawberries,” from Morocco.
The festival has screened series since 2015 and includes a competitive element, which Truffart says reflects Hollywood’s view of the selections. It also hosts free morning screenings for local high school students at the Directors Guild of America, followed by question-and-answer sessions.
The festival schedule is available at theamericanfrenchfilmfestival.org.
Sources: Variety.