Editor

America’s First and Largest French Film Festival will Return to the DGA Theater Complex to Showcase Premieres of French Film and Television Series for US and International Distributors and the Public

The Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF) announced today that The American French Film Festival (formerly known as COLCOA) will hold its 27th annual edition and awards competition October 18-22 at the Directors Guild of America Theater on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

“Created by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, this event is the largest French film festival in North America and the largest festival dedicated to French Films and TV programs in the world. The American French Film Festival is a wonderful symbol to embody the Franco-American friendship and a crucial moment and spotlight to promote French cinema and all its talented creators,” said Cécile Rap-Veber, CEO of Sacem and President of the Franco-American Cultural Fund.

Established in 1996, The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) has had a rich history of being the launchpad for French films, filmmakers and actors in America. Last year, films like FINAL CUT (Kino Lorrber), A FAMILY FOR 1640 DAYS (Distrib Films US) and THE SUPER 8 YEARS (Kino Lorber) were picked up for distribution after the festival, while 43 filmmakers, including  Maïmouna Doucouré, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Emmanuel Mouret , Céline Devaux, Olivier Assayas, and Katell Quillévéré had their films’ US, international or world premieres at the festival, several of them presented before a French release. Over the years, actors like Marion Cotillard and Omar Sy, among many others, made their American debut at TAFFF.

“Taking place in the heart of Hollywood, TAFFF has become a key international event for French filmmakers and talent to gain exposure amongst the film community here,” notes Francois Truffart, Executive Producer and Programmer. “Now more so than ever before, there are many opportunities for French-language films and series to find a home and an audience in the US. We are proud to have been part of this evolution for almost three decades by providing international sales companies and US distributors, including digital platforms, this unique platform to promote their films and series and create a buzz at the beginning of the Awards Season” .

“The cinematic landscape is changing in what stories are told and how they are released. Stories and audiences are at the same time more global and more localized. In this new landscape, The American French Film Festival continues to anchor all that is French cinema and TV for the American film industry and moviegoers in a swath of programs that instill an appetite for French filmmaking. By identifying emerging talent and bringing them and their work to Los Angeles, we are able to nurture audiences and unlock new avenues for the films with producers, distributors, and others,” says Anouchka van Riel, Deputy Director. “A great example of audience expansion is our free education program that allows each year 3,000 high school students to connect deeply with a French film as they share their emotions and ideas with the filmmaker in a Q&A after the screenings.”

This year’s edition will expand its professional program and include more opportunities for American and French filmmakers, actors and composers to exchange ideas and best practices. 

The American French Film Festival

The American French Film Festival (formerly known as COLCOA French Film Festival) was created and is produced by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a unique collaboration between the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Motion Picture Association (MPA), France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW). The American French Film Festival is also supported by Unifrance, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France’s Society of Authors, Directors and Producers (l’ARP), CNC, TVFI, Air Tahiti Nui, ELMA L’Oréal, TV5 Monde/Sling and Variety. The American French Film Festival Education Program is supported by ELMA.