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The Franco-American Cultural Fund today announced the winners for the 12th Annual City of Lights, City of Angels (COL•COA) film festival. Writer-director Abdellatif Kechiche’ “The Secret of the Grain” won the COL•COA Critics Award (given by a jury of Los Angeles Film Critics Association members), and writer-director Dany Boon’s Welcome to the Land of Ch’tis, was voted COL•COA Audience Award. “The Second Life of a Sugar Bowl” by Didier Canaux received the “court-métrage” (short film) nod.

« It’s never easy to choose one winner from such a strong field, but “The Secret of the Grain” ultimately stood out for all of us; for the strength of its craftsmanship, its simple but boldly unconventional narrative and its powerfully relevant message. Once again, COL•COA has affirmed its place among L.A.’s premiere festivals, and the members of LAFCA are honored to have been a part of it. »
Wade Major, jury president, LAFCA

The jury gave a special citation to Sandrine Bonnaire for her sensitive and touching portrait of her sister’s struggle with autism in “Her Name is Sabine”.

Arriving in Hollywood after having been awarded the 2008 César Award for Best Film of the Year, “The Secret of the Grain,” was produced by Pathé in France and has recently been acquired for U.S. Distribution by IFC Films.

Acclaimed French comedy “Welcome to the Land of Ch’tis,” also a Pathé release, has shattered every box office record in France, and was welcomed to North America by five SRO crowds. The film was chosen for the opening night gala, two COL•COA High School matinees in association with European Languages & Movies in America, a public screening on Saturday and again Sunday as the COL•COA Audience award winner. “Dany and I are very touched to get this audience award in Hollywood. It confirms that the film’s message is universal and that its comic elements, supported by remarkable subtitles, transcend cultural boundaries. It was another challenge to take on and we succeeded,” stated producer Eric Hubert.

Pathé also produced last year’s COL•COA Audience Award winner, “Hunting and Gathering.”

Eric Guirado’s “The Grocer’s Son” and Sandrine Bonnaire’s “Her Name is Sabine” were voted second and third most popular by the COL•COA audiences.

Producers of Critics awarded and Audience awarded films will be offered complimentary English subtitling of his/her next feature, courtesy of Titra Film Paris.

Didier Canaux’ “The Second Life of a Sugar Bowl” (La Seconde vie du sucrier) won the 2008 COL•COA Short Film Award. The jury gave a special mention to Patrick Bossard’s “The Human Race” (Le Genre humain) as well as to Elizabeth Marre and Olive Pont’s “Manon on the Pavement” (Manon sur le bitume).

COL•COA attracted an all time high audience of nearly 11,500 in its seven-day run while presenting 48 films, including 28 features, 20 shorts and a World Premiere of a restored masterpiece, “Secret Beyond the Door.”

The Franco-American Cultural Fund (DGA, SACEM, MPA and WGAW) hosted the festival’s largest number of Paris-based delegates (writer-directors, producers and distributors) in its 12-year history. FACF was instrumental in co-funding the Fritz Lang film noir “Secret Beyond the Door” restoration, as well as the Max Ophuls masterpiece, “Lola Montès,” which will have its World Premiere at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, as part of the expansion of the Fund’s Franco-American initiatives.