Following multiple nominations for “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest,” industry insiders are excited for more “international” Academy Awards.
“The Oscars have been opening up to international filmmakers in recent years. I am happy to be one of them,” says Kaouther Ben Hania, nominated for doc “Four Daughters.”
“The Academy has made efforts to diversify its membership and nominations, leading to increased recognition for films from around the world. The expansion of categories like international feature film — formerly foreign-language film — and the inclusion of more international voices in other categories demonstrate a growing appreciation for global cinema,” Ben Hania adds.
“Let’s hope this becomes a trend, as audiovisual productions are increasingly global not only in their themes but also in their production models, which involve various countries for financing, artistic talents and technical expertise,” says Gabriela Sandoval, producer and president of Chile’s Assn. of Film and Television Producers.
“The Oscars have been opening up to international filmmakers in recent years. I am happy to be one of them,” says Kaouther Ben Hania, nominated for doc “Four Daughters.”
“The Academy has made efforts to diversify its membership and nominations, leading to increased recognition for films from around the world. The expansion of categories like international feature film — formerly foreign-language film — and the inclusion of more international voices in other categories demonstrate a growing appreciation for global cinema,” Ben Hania adds.
“Let’s hope this becomes a trend, as audiovisual productions are increasingly global not only in their themes but also in their production models, which involve various countries for financing, artistic talents and technical expertise,” says Gabriela Sandoval, producer and president of Chile’s Assn. of Film and Television Producers.
- 3/6/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
After keeping a fairly low profile as president of France’s leading commercial network TF1 Group for seven years, Gilles Pelisson, the discreet Harvard-educated executive, is ready for showtime. He has been propelled into the spotlight to promote French film and TV in his new role as president of Unifrance, succeeding Serge Toubiana last summer.
While participating in his first big gig for Unifrance at the Rendez-Vous showcase in Paris (which wraps Tuesday), Pelisson showed he had enough swagger to mingle with French stars and industry professionals alike, as well as deliver speeches about the prospects for French movies and TV series with both authority and conviction.
In the space of one week during the Rendez-Vous, he handed out the French Film Award to “By the Grace of God” actor Melvil Poupaud, and presented Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan with the best international co-production prize at the Lumiere Award on Monday.
While participating in his first big gig for Unifrance at the Rendez-Vous showcase in Paris (which wraps Tuesday), Pelisson showed he had enough swagger to mingle with French stars and industry professionals alike, as well as deliver speeches about the prospects for French movies and TV series with both authority and conviction.
In the space of one week during the Rendez-Vous, he handed out the French Film Award to “By the Grace of God” actor Melvil Poupaud, and presented Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan with the best international co-production prize at the Lumiere Award on Monday.
- 1/23/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Following a fully online 2021 event, a hybrid 2022 and last year’s 2023 comeback edition that saw most European distributors still struggling to stay afloat in a barely post-pandemic world, this year’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris was a “typical” market. And in 2024, typical is great.
“We haven’t had a typical market in four years. Everyone was back,” enthused Gilles Renouard, head of cinema for Rendez-Vous organiser Unifrance.
“Buyers are definitely more future-oriented,” he continued. “Last year, they were scared to buy films for theatrical release, but now they are confident in films that can work in their territories...
“We haven’t had a typical market in four years. Everyone was back,” enthused Gilles Renouard, head of cinema for Rendez-Vous organiser Unifrance.
“Buyers are definitely more future-oriented,” he continued. “Last year, they were scared to buy films for theatrical release, but now they are confident in films that can work in their territories...
- 1/23/2024
- ScreenDaily
A week after being appointed culture minister and slammed by an avalanche of criticism, famed politician Rachida Dati has officially entered the ring.
Dati went off-script and delivered an unfiltered speech — starting with “I’m not asking you to love me, what I want is to convince you” — to a room full of film and TV players on Thursday evening during a ceremony honoring actor Melvil Poupaud, who received the French Cinema Award.
While on stage, Dati said she will strive to democratize culture during her tenure.
“Culture in schools and civic sense go hand-in-hand. When you look at schools in certain areas which are ridden with problems, you’ll notice that it’s often places where culture has taken a backseat,” she said. Dati also spoke about her own relationship with culture, admitting she saw a movie in a cinema for the first time at the age of 21 but...
Dati went off-script and delivered an unfiltered speech — starting with “I’m not asking you to love me, what I want is to convince you” — to a room full of film and TV players on Thursday evening during a ceremony honoring actor Melvil Poupaud, who received the French Cinema Award.
While on stage, Dati said she will strive to democratize culture during her tenure.
“Culture in schools and civic sense go hand-in-hand. When you look at schools in certain areas which are ridden with problems, you’ll notice that it’s often places where culture has taken a backseat,” she said. Dati also spoke about her own relationship with culture, admitting she saw a movie in a cinema for the first time at the age of 21 but...
- 1/19/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Former TF1 Group CEO and chairman Gilles Pélisson has gone through a baptism of fire this week in his new role of president at French film and TV promotional body Unifrance as he attends his first edition of its annual Paris Rendez-vous.
In its 26th year, the event has long been a must-attend event for cinema buyers looking for French films. More than 420 cinema buyers from 50 countries are attending this edition as 40 film sales companies unveil their French slates for 2024.
Since 2022, the event also features a TV market and screening program following Unifrance’s merger with TV France International in 2021.
Close to 50 French audiovisual distribution companies have been presenting animation, documentary, and fiction to some 100 European buyers for the third year.
Appointed in July, Pélisson took over from film critic and former French Cinematheque head Serge Toubiana as Unifrance’s first president hailing from the audiovisual world.
Deadline sat down...
In its 26th year, the event has long been a must-attend event for cinema buyers looking for French films. More than 420 cinema buyers from 50 countries are attending this edition as 40 film sales companies unveil their French slates for 2024.
Since 2022, the event also features a TV market and screening program following Unifrance’s merger with TV France International in 2021.
Close to 50 French audiovisual distribution companies have been presenting animation, documentary, and fiction to some 100 European buyers for the third year.
Appointed in July, Pélisson took over from film critic and former French Cinematheque head Serge Toubiana as Unifrance’s first president hailing from the audiovisual world.
Deadline sat down...
- 1/19/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Unifrance’s Gilles Pélisson and Executive Director Daniela Elstner announced the selections for the 14th edition of MyFrenchFilmFestival and among the highlights in the feature film competition we find the likes of Patric Chiha‘s The Beast in the Jungle and The Lost Boys (Le Paradis) by Zeno Graton (which premiered at the Berlinale), Jean-Baptiste Durand’s Junkyard Dog (which was showcased at Deauville Film Festival), and The Green Perfume by Nicolas Pariser which closed the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes.…...
- 1/9/2024
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The German film industry is eagerly awaiting the appointment of the Berlin Film Festival’s new director, expected to be announced tomorrow, and as the guessing game surrounding the choice shifts into high gear, one thing looks increasingly clear: the new head will face considerable financial and political challenges at the Berlinale.
Speculation in the local industry has been rife with likely candidates to succeed Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek, who have co-led the Berlinale as artistic and executive directors since 2020 and will step down after this year’s edition when their respective mandates end.
A number of potential contenders have now quashed those rumors, among them Matthijs Wouter Knol, CEO and director of the European Film Academy, who made it clear to Variety that he was not in the running and was very content in his current post; Kirsten Niehuus, head of funding org Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, who said she...
Speculation in the local industry has been rife with likely candidates to succeed Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek, who have co-led the Berlinale as artistic and executive directors since 2020 and will step down after this year’s edition when their respective mandates end.
A number of potential contenders have now quashed those rumors, among them Matthijs Wouter Knol, CEO and director of the European Film Academy, who made it clear to Variety that he was not in the running and was very content in his current post; Kirsten Niehuus, head of funding org Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, who said she...
- 12/11/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
International execs from Unifrance, MK2 and TrustNordisk kicked off the annual Zurich Summit on Saturday to discuss the importance of film festivals when promoting a title and if fests are drifting away from what works in cinemas. You can watch the panel above.
Speaking at the city’s Dolder Grand Hotel, where the boutique industry event is hosted each year alongside the Zurich Film Festival, Unifrance’s executive director Daniela Elstner said, “We are in a very shifting world and we of course need the festivals but as a promotion agency in France we are also questioning ourselves and asking what is the best way to to be present at a festival to help the films get out and I think the press plays a major part in that.”
She added, “We get behind festivals but on the other hand we are also rethinking our future right now as we...
Speaking at the city’s Dolder Grand Hotel, where the boutique industry event is hosted each year alongside the Zurich Film Festival, Unifrance’s executive director Daniela Elstner said, “We are in a very shifting world and we of course need the festivals but as a promotion agency in France we are also questioning ourselves and asking what is the best way to to be present at a festival to help the films get out and I think the press plays a major part in that.”
She added, “We get behind festivals but on the other hand we are also rethinking our future right now as we...
- 9/30/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Speakers at Screen round-table in Venice included Daniela Elstner, Film i Vast’s Kristina Borjeson, and Lucky Red founder Andrea Occhipinti.
Unifrance’s Daniela Elstner, Film i Vast’s Kristina Borjeson, and Lucky Red founder Andrea Occhipinti were among the international executives who came together to share insights into producing and distributing non-English language films outside of their home territories at a roundtable event in Venice hosted by Screen International and sponsored by the Saudi Film Commission.
In many ways, it seems a good time for non-English language films – audiences and awards have flocked to films and series like Parasite,...
Unifrance’s Daniela Elstner, Film i Vast’s Kristina Borjeson, and Lucky Red founder Andrea Occhipinti were among the international executives who came together to share insights into producing and distributing non-English language films outside of their home territories at a roundtable event in Venice hosted by Screen International and sponsored by the Saudi Film Commission.
In many ways, it seems a good time for non-English language films – audiences and awards have flocked to films and series like Parasite,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Speakers at Screen round-table in Venice included
Unifrance’s Daniela Elstner, Film i Vast’s Kristina Borjeson, and Lucky Red founder Andrea Occhipinti were among the international executives who came together to share insights into producing and distributing non-English language films outside of their home territories at a roundtable event in Venice sponsored by Screen International and the Saudi Film Commission.
In many ways, it seems a good time for non-English language films – audiences and awards have flocked to films and series like Parasite, All Quiet On The Western Front, Money Heist and Squid Game. However, programming at most cinemas...
Unifrance’s Daniela Elstner, Film i Vast’s Kristina Borjeson, and Lucky Red founder Andrea Occhipinti were among the international executives who came together to share insights into producing and distributing non-English language films outside of their home territories at a roundtable event in Venice sponsored by Screen International and the Saudi Film Commission.
In many ways, it seems a good time for non-English language films – audiences and awards have flocked to films and series like Parasite, All Quiet On The Western Front, Money Heist and Squid Game. However, programming at most cinemas...
- 9/7/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Italy has just hosted Summit for US and French producers, is taking major delegation to Tokyo Film Festival and will be Country in Focus at Berlinale’s EFM.
Italy has embarked on a major campaign to promote its filmmakers and movies around the world and to attract international productions to the country.
Last week, the country hosted the Audiovisual Producer’s Summit in Trieste, inviting leading US producers and studio executives as well as a significant French delegation to meet with Italian producers and industry figures. This follows Italy being the guest of honour at Mexico’s Guadalajara Film Festival in June.
Italy has embarked on a major campaign to promote its filmmakers and movies around the world and to attract international productions to the country.
Last week, the country hosted the Audiovisual Producer’s Summit in Trieste, inviting leading US producers and studio executives as well as a significant French delegation to meet with Italian producers and industry figures. This follows Italy being the guest of honour at Mexico’s Guadalajara Film Festival in June.
- 7/28/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
He will work with executive director Daniela Elstner and audiovisual director Sarah Hemar.
Gilles Pélisson has been named president of French film and TV promotional organisation Unifrance and will take the reins from both longtime president Serge Toubiana and vice president Hervé Michel who are both stepping down.
Unifrance’s executive director Daniela Elstner will remain at the helm along with audiovisual director Sarah Hemar.
Elstner commended the departing duo for their work. “Together with their teams, they have supported the new, unified Unifrance in a post-Covid context, in order to promote the full diversity of French creativity on the international stage.
Gilles Pélisson has been named president of French film and TV promotional organisation Unifrance and will take the reins from both longtime president Serge Toubiana and vice president Hervé Michel who are both stepping down.
Unifrance’s executive director Daniela Elstner will remain at the helm along with audiovisual director Sarah Hemar.
Elstner commended the departing duo for their work. “Together with their teams, they have supported the new, unified Unifrance in a post-Covid context, in order to promote the full diversity of French creativity on the international stage.
- 7/7/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Gilles Pélisson has been named as the new president of French film and TV promotional body Unifrance.
He replaces film critic and former French Cinematheque head Serge Toubiana, who held the role for three consecutive two-year terms, as well as Hervé Michel, who was vice-president of the body from 2021.
Pélisson is the first new president to be voted in since Unifrance expanded its original cinema remit to TV, following its merger with TV France International in 2021.
The former TF1 Group CEO is also the first figure from the world of television to take on the role.
The existing executive management team remains in place with Daniela Elstner as Executive Director, Gilles Renouard as Director of Cinema, Sarah Hemar as Director of Audiovisual, Stéphanie Gavardin as Director of Communication and Digital and Axel Scoffier as General Secretary.
Other film and TV figures in the running for the president role included former...
He replaces film critic and former French Cinematheque head Serge Toubiana, who held the role for three consecutive two-year terms, as well as Hervé Michel, who was vice-president of the body from 2021.
Pélisson is the first new president to be voted in since Unifrance expanded its original cinema remit to TV, following its merger with TV France International in 2021.
The former TF1 Group CEO is also the first figure from the world of television to take on the role.
The existing executive management team remains in place with Daniela Elstner as Executive Director, Gilles Renouard as Director of Cinema, Sarah Hemar as Director of Audiovisual, Stéphanie Gavardin as Director of Communication and Digital and Axel Scoffier as General Secretary.
Other film and TV figures in the running for the president role included former...
- 7/7/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The 37 national film institutes that are members of European Film Promotion have elected a new Efp board of directors at the general assembly on May 23 during the Cannes Film Festival. The board consists of seven members, with their term of office lasting for two years.
Five of the current members remain on the board, including Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films, as new vice president, Daniela Elstner, executive director UniFrance, Eda Koppel, head of marketing at Estonian Film Institute, Stine Oppegaard, manager, international relations, feature films, Norwegian Film Institute, and Markéta Santrochová, head of Czech Film Center, who has been re-elected as Efp president.
Newly elected to the board are Christian De Schutter, managing director of Flanders Image, and Rastislav Steranka, director of the National Cinematographic Centre of the Slovak Film Institute.
“As member of such a great European network, I am delighted to serve another term on the...
Five of the current members remain on the board, including Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films, as new vice president, Daniela Elstner, executive director UniFrance, Eda Koppel, head of marketing at Estonian Film Institute, Stine Oppegaard, manager, international relations, feature films, Norwegian Film Institute, and Markéta Santrochová, head of Czech Film Center, who has been re-elected as Efp president.
Newly elected to the board are Christian De Schutter, managing director of Flanders Image, and Rastislav Steranka, director of the National Cinematographic Centre of the Slovak Film Institute.
“As member of such a great European network, I am delighted to serve another term on the...
- 5/26/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Girls Supports Girls, the French film sorority launched by producer Vanessa Djian and publicist Karolyne Leibovici, made its debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with the backing of Orange, in association with Kering. A flurry of French female talent, notably “Simone” actress Elsa Zylberstein and “Houria” director Mounia Meddour, took part in the networking luncheon which was hosted on the rooftop terrasse of Kering’s Women in Motion event at the Majestic hotel.
Djian, whose production banner Daïdaï Films recently became part of Newen Group, and Leibovici, the founder of A&k communication, launched Girls Supports Girls four years ago to connect and create opportunities for female producers, actresses, executives and diverse talent coming from the film, TV and media industries.
Previous events were organized in Paris, at the prestigious restaurant Le Fouquet’s, and during Canneseries in Cannes. Each event kicks off with guests standing up and introducing themselves.
Djian, whose production banner Daïdaï Films recently became part of Newen Group, and Leibovici, the founder of A&k communication, launched Girls Supports Girls four years ago to connect and create opportunities for female producers, actresses, executives and diverse talent coming from the film, TV and media industries.
Previous events were organized in Paris, at the prestigious restaurant Le Fouquet’s, and during Canneseries in Cannes. Each event kicks off with guests standing up and introducing themselves.
- 5/25/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
New board members include execs from Flanders Image and the Slovak Film Institute.
European Film Promotion has elected a new board of directors, adding two new members: Christian De Schutter, managing director of Flanders Image and Rastislav Steranka, director of the National Cinematographic Centre of the Slovak Film Institute.
The 37 national film institutes of European Film Promotion (Efp) elected them to the board at a General Assembly held during Cannes.
The board consists of seven members, with their term of office lasting for two years.
Five of the current members were re-elected to the board including: Simone Baumann, managing director German Films,...
European Film Promotion has elected a new board of directors, adding two new members: Christian De Schutter, managing director of Flanders Image and Rastislav Steranka, director of the National Cinematographic Centre of the Slovak Film Institute.
The 37 national film institutes of European Film Promotion (Efp) elected them to the board at a General Assembly held during Cannes.
The board consists of seven members, with their term of office lasting for two years.
Five of the current members were re-elected to the board including: Simone Baumann, managing director German Films,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
With the 2023 Cannes Film Festival less than two weeks away, we’re delighted to exclusively announce the second edition of the “Unifrance Critics Lab,” an initiative designed to strengthen the ties between English-speaking film critics and French artists and the film industry. The program’s successful inaugural edition in 2022 gave the film industry and Cannes access to outstanding, up-and-coming freelance writers, all of whom were nominated by leading film critics.
The program provides a valuable opportunity for both established and up-and-coming US and UK film journalists to discover the new generation of emerging French talent and their exciting works, while better connecting with key French auteurs and industry players to broaden their professional opportunities. The cost of attending Cannes is often one of the highest-cited barriers to entry for many critics without a full-time position, and this often leaves out crucial, diverse voices from the conversation.
“The Cannes Film Festival...
The program provides a valuable opportunity for both established and up-and-coming US and UK film journalists to discover the new generation of emerging French talent and their exciting works, while better connecting with key French auteurs and industry players to broaden their professional opportunities. The cost of attending Cannes is often one of the highest-cited barriers to entry for many critics without a full-time position, and this often leaves out crucial, diverse voices from the conversation.
“The Cannes Film Festival...
- 5/4/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Unifrance and Film at Lincoln Center have unveiled the lineup for the 28th edition of Rendez-Vous With French Cinema, an annual celebration of contemporary French filmmaking. The event will take place March 2–12.
It kicks off with a screening of Alice Winocour’s “Revoir Paris,” which stars Virginie Efira as a translator named Mia, who survived a mass shooting in a Paris restaurant and is unable to resume life as usual. In an effort to regain a sense of normalcy, Mia returns repeatedly to the site of the shooting, forming bonds with her fellow survivors. Efira is best known for her star turn in Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta.”
“It is a such a pleasure to open this year’s edition with the French critical and box-office hit ‘Revoir Paris’ in the presence of director Alice Winocour and actress Virginie Efira, who just received our French Cinema Award in Paris,” said Daniela Elstner,...
It kicks off with a screening of Alice Winocour’s “Revoir Paris,” which stars Virginie Efira as a translator named Mia, who survived a mass shooting in a Paris restaurant and is unable to resume life as usual. In an effort to regain a sense of normalcy, Mia returns repeatedly to the site of the shooting, forming bonds with her fellow survivors. Efira is best known for her star turn in Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta.”
“It is a such a pleasure to open this year’s edition with the French critical and box-office hit ‘Revoir Paris’ in the presence of director Alice Winocour and actress Virginie Efira, who just received our French Cinema Award in Paris,” said Daniela Elstner,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Pacifiction star Benoit Magimel wins best actor award for third time.
Dominik Moll’s investigative drama The Night Of The 12th (La Nuit Du 12) was named best film and also won the best screenplay prize at the 28th edition of France’s Lumiere Awards at a ceremony at Paris’ Forum des Images on Monday evening.
The film shared the spotlight with Albert Serra’s tropical thriller Pacifiction which earned Serra the best director award and a best actor prize for the film’s star Benoit Magimel.
It was a record win for Magimel who becomes the third actor in Lumière...
Dominik Moll’s investigative drama The Night Of The 12th (La Nuit Du 12) was named best film and also won the best screenplay prize at the 28th edition of France’s Lumiere Awards at a ceremony at Paris’ Forum des Images on Monday evening.
The film shared the spotlight with Albert Serra’s tropical thriller Pacifiction which earned Serra the best director award and a best actor prize for the film’s star Benoit Magimel.
It was a record win for Magimel who becomes the third actor in Lumière...
- 1/16/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
French sales agents were doing brisk business with Russian distributors at last week’s Rendez-Vous market.
The presence of Russian distributors at Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris was a potent source of conversation at last week’s gathering as many French sellers continue to do good business with Russian buyers despite an unofficial boycott of the country since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia remained the third biggest international territory for French cinema in 2022 with 2.6 million admissions, up 83.4 from 2021, though still down 14.2 from pre-pandemic and before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Russian market accounted for €8.7m in revenue for French cinema,...
The presence of Russian distributors at Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris was a potent source of conversation at last week’s gathering as many French sellers continue to do good business with Russian buyers despite an unofficial boycott of the country since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia remained the third biggest international territory for French cinema in 2022 with 2.6 million admissions, up 83.4 from 2021, though still down 14.2 from pre-pandemic and before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Russian market accounted for €8.7m in revenue for French cinema,...
- 1/16/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The team from This is My Crime by François Ozon at the world premiere last night at the Balzac Cinema in Paris Photo: Richard Mowe Director François Ozon has an enviable track record in enticing audiences to le cinéma français (Photo Richard Mowe) Photo: Richard Mowe The 25th Rendez-vous with French Cinema has started in Paris under a good sign: a full house last night for François Ozon’s mystery drama/pastiche The Crime is Mine (Mon Crime) followed by a standing ovation by the attendees including film buyers from all over Europe and beyond.
Serge Toubiana, Unifrance’s president, underlined the pleasure of all those present to be back in a cinema setting after two years of the pandemic and the financial crisis. He paid tribute to the founder of the Rendezvous, Daniel Toscan du Plantier, who died suddenly at the Berlin Film Festival some 20 years ago next month,...
Serge Toubiana, Unifrance’s president, underlined the pleasure of all those present to be back in a cinema setting after two years of the pandemic and the financial crisis. He paid tribute to the founder of the Rendezvous, Daniel Toscan du Plantier, who died suddenly at the Berlin Film Festival some 20 years ago next month,...
- 1/12/2023
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
France’s television sector is enjoying a renaissance, and this week’s French TV Screenings is another indicator of a bullish market.
The event, which takes place today and Wednesday (January 10-11) as part of Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris at the Club de l’Etoile, will see scores of international buyers flying in to explore the latest Gallic dramas, comedies and docs from leading French distributors.
This year marks the first fully in-person screenings, with a hybrid event held last year due to the pandemic, and nine sales houses are holding screening events. These include Arte Distribution, Federation Studios, France TV Distribution, Mediawan Rights, Newen Connect and Studiocanal.
A cool 106 buyers, most from Europe, are expected, with 63 distributors touting their wares in total. Rendez-Vous’ cinema strand will bring in more than 400 acquisitions executives to watch nearly 100 screenings. This morning Unifrance reported French films drew 27 million spectators worldwide in 2022 for a gross of €167.4M (180M).
However,...
The event, which takes place today and Wednesday (January 10-11) as part of Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris at the Club de l’Etoile, will see scores of international buyers flying in to explore the latest Gallic dramas, comedies and docs from leading French distributors.
This year marks the first fully in-person screenings, with a hybrid event held last year due to the pandemic, and nine sales houses are holding screening events. These include Arte Distribution, Federation Studios, France TV Distribution, Mediawan Rights, Newen Connect and Studiocanal.
A cool 106 buyers, most from Europe, are expected, with 63 distributors touting their wares in total. Rendez-Vous’ cinema strand will bring in more than 400 acquisitions executives to watch nearly 100 screenings. This morning Unifrance reported French films drew 27 million spectators worldwide in 2022 for a gross of €167.4M (180M).
However,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
But admissions still struggling to reach pre-pandemic highs.
French films gained momentum at the international box office in 2022 compared to 2021, garnering 27 million admissions in global markets, according to Unifrance. This was up 51.8 from 2021 but down 32.5 on average compared to the pre-Covid years.
According to Unifrance, French films grossed €167.4m outside France in 2022, up 47.7 compared to 2021; More than 900 French films were released in international theatres, of which 27 were each released in more than 20 territories.
Majority French productions hit 17 million admissions, up 78.9 from 2021. 19.6 million admissions were for films in the French language, an impressive 139.2 jump from the year before.
Feel-good films fare...
French films gained momentum at the international box office in 2022 compared to 2021, garnering 27 million admissions in global markets, according to Unifrance. This was up 51.8 from 2021 but down 32.5 on average compared to the pre-Covid years.
According to Unifrance, French films grossed €167.4m outside France in 2022, up 47.7 compared to 2021; More than 900 French films were released in international theatres, of which 27 were each released in more than 20 territories.
Majority French productions hit 17 million admissions, up 78.9 from 2021. 19.6 million admissions were for films in the French language, an impressive 139.2 jump from the year before.
Feel-good films fare...
- 1/10/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
But admissions still struggling to reach pre-pandemic highs.
French films continue to gain momentum at the international box office with 27 million admissions in foreign markets in 2022, up 51.8 from 2021, according to a study from state film promotion organisation Unifrance.
However, French films are still struggling to reach their pre-pandemic highs, with international admissions running on average 32.5 lower than in the years before Covid-19.
The Unifrance figures show that French films earned €167.4m abroad throughout 2022, up 47.7 compared to 2021.
More than 900 French films were released in foreign theatres, of which 27 were released in more than 20 territories each.
Majority French productions hit 17 million admissions,...
French films continue to gain momentum at the international box office with 27 million admissions in foreign markets in 2022, up 51.8 from 2021, according to a study from state film promotion organisation Unifrance.
However, French films are still struggling to reach their pre-pandemic highs, with international admissions running on average 32.5 lower than in the years before Covid-19.
The Unifrance figures show that French films earned €167.4m abroad throughout 2022, up 47.7 compared to 2021.
More than 900 French films were released in foreign theatres, of which 27 were released in more than 20 territories each.
Majority French productions hit 17 million admissions,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
When journalists, sales agents and acquisition execs from key territories take to Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris, which runs Jan. 10-17, international growth will be on everyone’s mind. If Gallic exports never did reach pre-pandemic highs in 2022 — the first year, we should note, that many theatrical markets operated without interruption — the local industry hung on all the same.
At home and abroad, franchises and feel-good fare drove theatrical returns. The comedy “Serial (Bad) Weddings 3” banked 2.4 million local admissions, ending the year as France’s top-grossing domestic title and landed an additional 1.3 million ticket sales in neighboring countries, while the Studiocanal family title “The Wolf and the Lion” opened in more than 50 territories.
In the U.S., arthouse stalwarts Kino Lorber, Cohen Media Group and Sony Pictures Classics pulled jewels from festival slates, with Kino Lorber set to open Pietro Marcello’s Directors’ Fortnight opener “Scarlet” and Sony Pictures Classics to release the Cannes-acclaimed,...
At home and abroad, franchises and feel-good fare drove theatrical returns. The comedy “Serial (Bad) Weddings 3” banked 2.4 million local admissions, ending the year as France’s top-grossing domestic title and landed an additional 1.3 million ticket sales in neighboring countries, while the Studiocanal family title “The Wolf and the Lion” opened in more than 50 territories.
In the U.S., arthouse stalwarts Kino Lorber, Cohen Media Group and Sony Pictures Classics pulled jewels from festival slates, with Kino Lorber set to open Pietro Marcello’s Directors’ Fortnight opener “Scarlet” and Sony Pictures Classics to release the Cannes-acclaimed,...
- 1/8/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
For France’s premiere film and television trade industry publication, it wasn’t a good look.
The cover photo of the Sept. 30 issue of Le Film Français, a must-read for Gallic filmmakers, featured seven men — Pathé President Jérome Seydoux, surrounded by actors Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, François Civil and Pio Marmaï, and actor-directors Guillaume Canet and Danny Boon —under the headline “Objective: Reconquest.”
The backlash was immediate.
“No women, no diversity. Classy!” tweeted French actress Alexandra Lamy (You Choose!). Audrey Diwan, director of Venice Film Festival winner Happening, added ironically, “If we’re bothering you guys, just let us know.”
The magazine quickly apologized, but for many, the incident was illustrative of how far the French industry still has to go.
Si on vous gêne, n’hésitez pas à le dire pic.twitter.com/e0fEZwuGrb
— Audrey Diwan (@AudreyDiwan) September 30, 2022
“The Film Français...
For France’s premiere film and television trade industry publication, it wasn’t a good look.
The cover photo of the Sept. 30 issue of Le Film Français, a must-read for Gallic filmmakers, featured seven men — Pathé President Jérome Seydoux, surrounded by actors Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, François Civil and Pio Marmaï, and actor-directors Guillaume Canet and Danny Boon —under the headline “Objective: Reconquest.”
The backlash was immediate.
“No women, no diversity. Classy!” tweeted French actress Alexandra Lamy (You Choose!). Audrey Diwan, director of Venice Film Festival winner Happening, added ironically, “If we’re bothering you guys, just let us know.”
The magazine quickly apologized, but for many, the incident was illustrative of how far the French industry still has to go.
Si on vous gêne, n’hésitez pas à le dire pic.twitter.com/e0fEZwuGrb
— Audrey Diwan (@AudreyDiwan) September 30, 2022
“The Film Français...
- 11/2/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Korean stars were given Etoile du Cinema awards.
Korean stars Song Kang-ho and Ye Jiwon received honorary awards at the Busan International Film Festival on Saturday, October 8, at an event hosted in partnership with Screen International.
The French Embassy bestowed the Etoile du Cinema awards on the actors for their contributions to cultural exchanges between Korean and French cinema. The event took place on ‘French Night’ at Biff at the Paradise Hotel in Busan.
Song is known for roles in Oscar-winner Parasite and more recently Hirokazu Koreeda’s Broker, which played in Competition at this year’s Cannes where Song won best actor.
Korean stars Song Kang-ho and Ye Jiwon received honorary awards at the Busan International Film Festival on Saturday, October 8, at an event hosted in partnership with Screen International.
The French Embassy bestowed the Etoile du Cinema awards on the actors for their contributions to cultural exchanges between Korean and French cinema. The event took place on ‘French Night’ at Biff at the Paradise Hotel in Busan.
Song is known for roles in Oscar-winner Parasite and more recently Hirokazu Koreeda’s Broker, which played in Competition at this year’s Cannes where Song won best actor.
- 10/10/2022
- ScreenDaily
The Korean stars were given Etoile du Cinema awards.
Korean stars Song Kang-ho and Ye Ji-won received honorary awards at the Busan International Film Festival on Saturday, October 8, at an event hosted in partnership with Screen International.
The French Embassy bestowed the Etoile du Cinema awards on the actors for their contributions to cultural exchanges between Korean and French cinema. The event took place on ‘French Night’ at Biff at the Paradise Hotel in Busan.
Song is known for roles in Oscar-winner Parasite and more recently Hirokazu Koreeda’s Broker, which played in Competition at this year’s Cannes where Song won best actor.
Korean stars Song Kang-ho and Ye Ji-won received honorary awards at the Busan International Film Festival on Saturday, October 8, at an event hosted in partnership with Screen International.
The French Embassy bestowed the Etoile du Cinema awards on the actors for their contributions to cultural exchanges between Korean and French cinema. The event took place on ‘French Night’ at Biff at the Paradise Hotel in Busan.
Song is known for roles in Oscar-winner Parasite and more recently Hirokazu Koreeda’s Broker, which played in Competition at this year’s Cannes where Song won best actor.
- 10/10/2022
- ScreenDaily
The Unifrance cocktail event at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, held in partnership with Variety, saw a heady mix of film executives and artists mingle at the sea terrace of the plush Excelsior hotel.
Presiding over proceedings was Unifrance executive director Daniela Elstner and artists present included director Romain Gavras and actor Ouassini Embarek, whose film “Athena” is in the main competition at the festival. Also attending were actor Swann Arlaud, César winner for “Bloody Milk” and “By the Grace of God,” who is at Venice with his new film “Beating Sun,” by Philippe Petit, who was also present; and filmmaker Audrey Diwan, who won the Venice Golden Lion last year for “Happening” and is serving on the jury this year.
Jean-Paul Salomé and Bertrand Faivre, the director and producer respectively of Horizons strand selection “The Sitting Duck,” were also present as was “The Blessed” filmmaker Sofia Djama, who...
Presiding over proceedings was Unifrance executive director Daniela Elstner and artists present included director Romain Gavras and actor Ouassini Embarek, whose film “Athena” is in the main competition at the festival. Also attending were actor Swann Arlaud, César winner for “Bloody Milk” and “By the Grace of God,” who is at Venice with his new film “Beating Sun,” by Philippe Petit, who was also present; and filmmaker Audrey Diwan, who won the Venice Golden Lion last year for “Happening” and is serving on the jury this year.
Jean-Paul Salomé and Bertrand Faivre, the director and producer respectively of Horizons strand selection “The Sitting Duck,” were also present as was “The Blessed” filmmaker Sofia Djama, who...
- 9/5/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As Unifrance’s Daniela Elstner sees it, the wealth of talent in this year’s Venice slate imparts a good bill of health for the French industry writ large. “Today, festival directors look to France in a slightly different way,” Elstner says. “We can find eminences like Frederick Wiseman alongside [emerging talents] like Alice Diop. That’s the strength of a good selection: You need names, you need surprises, you need to mix it up.”
Alongside Diop and Wiseman, this year’s Venice roster also includes “Other People’s Children” from Rebecca Zlotowski and “Our Ties” from Roschdy Zem — together forming a delegation perhaps more notable for the fact that none had competed in Venice before than for the almost incidental gender parity of the mix.
That seems very much the point for the film promotional body. “That so many women are making films and bringing them to competitions is very specific to [this country],” says Elstner.
Alongside Diop and Wiseman, this year’s Venice roster also includes “Other People’s Children” from Rebecca Zlotowski and “Our Ties” from Roschdy Zem — together forming a delegation perhaps more notable for the fact that none had competed in Venice before than for the almost incidental gender parity of the mix.
That seems very much the point for the film promotional body. “That so many women are making films and bringing them to competitions is very specific to [this country],” says Elstner.
- 8/31/2022
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Exploring Paris’ working-class suburbs with a fresh set of eyes while reframing the immigrant experience under a more incisive lens, a dynamic generation is blazing new trails in French cinema.
And if artists like “Saint Omer” filmmaker Alice Diop, “Athena” co-writer Ladj Ly, and “The Gravity” writer/director Cedric Ido share little in common but age – interestingly enough, all were born within one or two years of one another – the group’s shared spotlight in Venice and Toronto certainly reflects a rise in opportunity for diverse perspectives.
“Today, we do see renewal,” says Unifrance managing director Daniela Elstner. “There’s an altogether new breath, a young generation looking to change, to dare, and to propose new kinds of films, [and with that] a willingness on the part of festival programmers to welcome these filmmakers into main competitions a little bit faster than before.”
Of course, opportunities tend to compound and build, so before...
And if artists like “Saint Omer” filmmaker Alice Diop, “Athena” co-writer Ladj Ly, and “The Gravity” writer/director Cedric Ido share little in common but age – interestingly enough, all were born within one or two years of one another – the group’s shared spotlight in Venice and Toronto certainly reflects a rise in opportunity for diverse perspectives.
“Today, we do see renewal,” says Unifrance managing director Daniela Elstner. “There’s an altogether new breath, a young generation looking to change, to dare, and to propose new kinds of films, [and with that] a willingness on the part of festival programmers to welcome these filmmakers into main competitions a little bit faster than before.”
Of course, opportunities tend to compound and build, so before...
- 8/31/2022
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
One year after merging with the promotion org TV France International, Unifrance is preparing a series of strategic events in key markets across Europe, the U.S., China and Japan to fast-track the global distribution of local series and movies.
The French film and TV advocacy banner will host trade shows bringing together French sales outfits and international distributors in Paris in January, Biarritz (Southwestern France) in September, as well as in Roma in April, Madrid in June, Berlin in November, New York in March and Yokohama in December. The 13th edition of MyFrenchFilmFestival, the online fest dedicated to French movies will be held in January and February.
While the French box office has suffered a decline due to the pandemic, Unifrance highlighted the recent critical success of French productions at major festivals, for instance Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winning “Titane,” as well as the series “Call My Agent!” winning an International Emmy,...
The French film and TV advocacy banner will host trade shows bringing together French sales outfits and international distributors in Paris in January, Biarritz (Southwestern France) in September, as well as in Roma in April, Madrid in June, Berlin in November, New York in March and Yokohama in December. The 13th edition of MyFrenchFilmFestival, the online fest dedicated to French movies will be held in January and February.
While the French box office has suffered a decline due to the pandemic, Unifrance highlighted the recent critical success of French productions at major festivals, for instance Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winning “Titane,” as well as the series “Call My Agent!” winning an International Emmy,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
With the 2022 Cannes Film Festival just a few weeks away, we’re delighted to exclusively announce the “Unifrance Critics Lab,” a new initiative by Unifrance designed to strengthen the ties between English-speaking film critics and French artists and film industry, as well as to give French festival and industry access to outstanding up-and-coming freelance film writers, who were nominated by leading film critics.
This program will provide a valuable opportunity for both established and up-and-coming US and UK film journalists to meet with their French counterparts, discover the new generation of emerging French filmmakers and talents and their exciting works and better connect with key French auteurs and industry players, while broadening their professional opportunities.
“The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in the world, but we recognize the cost to attend is a barrier to entry for many writers who love French cinema,” said Daniela Elstner,...
This program will provide a valuable opportunity for both established and up-and-coming US and UK film journalists to meet with their French counterparts, discover the new generation of emerging French filmmakers and talents and their exciting works and better connect with key French auteurs and industry players, while broadening their professional opportunities.
“The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in the world, but we recognize the cost to attend is a barrier to entry for many writers who love French cinema,” said Daniela Elstner,...
- 5/5/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
After going virtual in 2021, the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema Festival is returning as an in-person event at the Lincoln Center in New York with a bevy of heavy hitters, including Claire Denis, Juliette Binoche, Jacques Audiard, Arnaud Desplechin and Mathieu Amalric.
Kicking off with the North American premiere of Denis’ Berlinale Silver Bear winning movie “Fire” (also called “Both Sides of the Blade”) on March 3, the festival’s roster is curated by Film at Lincoln Center, which is also co-organizing the event with Unifrance, the French film advocacy org.
Besides “Fire,” starring Binoche and Vincent Lindon as two lovers whose relationship falls apart, the main highlights of the 27th edition include Audiard’s sexy relationship drama “Paris, 13th District,” Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet’s debut “Anaïs in Love,” which premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week, and Desplechin’s “Deception” with Lea Seydoux.
“We feel lucky to have assembled such a prestigious roster of...
Kicking off with the North American premiere of Denis’ Berlinale Silver Bear winning movie “Fire” (also called “Both Sides of the Blade”) on March 3, the festival’s roster is curated by Film at Lincoln Center, which is also co-organizing the event with Unifrance, the French film advocacy org.
Besides “Fire,” starring Binoche and Vincent Lindon as two lovers whose relationship falls apart, the main highlights of the 27th edition include Audiard’s sexy relationship drama “Paris, 13th District,” Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet’s debut “Anaïs in Love,” which premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week, and Desplechin’s “Deception” with Lea Seydoux.
“We feel lucky to have assembled such a prestigious roster of...
- 3/4/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
As many as 85 films and a record 55 market premieres will screen at the Rendez-Vous in Paris, a week-long event organized by French promotion org Unifrance.
The event will open on Monday with the world premiere of “Simone: A Journey of the Century,” a biopic of Simone Veil, an Auschwitz survivor who became health minister of France and championed the 1975 law that legalized abortion in France. Directed by Olivier Dahan (“La Vie en rose”), the movie is headlined by Elsa Zylberstein, who completely transformed for the role. Other Angle has sold it to Samuel Goldwyn for North America, along with a string of international deals.
The lineup of market premieres includes Cédric Klapisch’s music-filled movie “Rise”; Patrice Leconte’s detective film “Maigret” with Gérard Depardieu; Fred Cayavé’s World War II-set drama “Farewell Mr. Haffmann” with Daniel Auteuil; Louis-Julien Petit’s social comedy “The Kitchen Brigade”; Jérôme Bonnell’s romantic...
The event will open on Monday with the world premiere of “Simone: A Journey of the Century,” a biopic of Simone Veil, an Auschwitz survivor who became health minister of France and championed the 1975 law that legalized abortion in France. Directed by Olivier Dahan (“La Vie en rose”), the movie is headlined by Elsa Zylberstein, who completely transformed for the role. Other Angle has sold it to Samuel Goldwyn for North America, along with a string of international deals.
The lineup of market premieres includes Cédric Klapisch’s music-filled movie “Rise”; Patrice Leconte’s detective film “Maigret” with Gérard Depardieu; Fred Cayavé’s World War II-set drama “Farewell Mr. Haffmann” with Daniel Auteuil; Louis-Julien Petit’s social comedy “The Kitchen Brigade”; Jérôme Bonnell’s romantic...
- 1/7/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
UniFrance, the French film promotion org headed by Serge Toubiana and Daniela Elstner, is launching the International French Cinema Fest on Bastille Day at the Cannes Film Festival.
The event aims at shining a light on some of France’s latest productions whose release plans were disrupted due to the pandemic.
Spanning over 30 countries, the International French Cinema Fest is being organized in partnership with distributors and exhibitors around the world who will host 50 premiere screenings of select French movies ahead of their theatrical release in key territories, including the U.S. and the U.K. Other countries involved in the initiative include Argentina, the Baltic States, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
“This is a unique occasion to (re)invigorate the collective experience of watching movies, on a global scale,” said Elstner, who worked closely with Gilles Renouard, the co-managing director of UniFrance,...
The event aims at shining a light on some of France’s latest productions whose release plans were disrupted due to the pandemic.
Spanning over 30 countries, the International French Cinema Fest is being organized in partnership with distributors and exhibitors around the world who will host 50 premiere screenings of select French movies ahead of their theatrical release in key territories, including the U.S. and the U.K. Other countries involved in the initiative include Argentina, the Baltic States, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
“This is a unique occasion to (re)invigorate the collective experience of watching movies, on a global scale,” said Elstner, who worked closely with Gilles Renouard, the co-managing director of UniFrance,...
- 7/14/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Reflecting the blurring of boundaries between movies and TV, UniFrance and TV France International have merged their promotion organizations to form a new streamlined association.
The orgs’ respective presidents, Serge Toubiana from UniFrance, and Hervé Michel from Tvfi, were elected presidents of this new org, known just as UniFrance, on July 2 for a two-year term following a vote from the association’s 58 members.
Toubiana, the former editor in chief of Les Cahiers du Cinema and head of the French cinematheque, took the helm of UniFrance in 2017 and forms a duo with the org’s managing director Daniela Elstner. Michel, who is an TV industry veteran, started presiding over Tvfi in 2016.
“We would like to thank the members of the committee for this vote of confidence. After having accomplished this new reform that took several months, a new chapter is opening us to garner the benefits of this union,” said Toubiana.
The orgs’ respective presidents, Serge Toubiana from UniFrance, and Hervé Michel from Tvfi, were elected presidents of this new org, known just as UniFrance, on July 2 for a two-year term following a vote from the association’s 58 members.
Toubiana, the former editor in chief of Les Cahiers du Cinema and head of the French cinematheque, took the helm of UniFrance in 2017 and forms a duo with the org’s managing director Daniela Elstner. Michel, who is an TV industry veteran, started presiding over Tvfi in 2016.
“We would like to thank the members of the committee for this vote of confidence. After having accomplished this new reform that took several months, a new chapter is opening us to garner the benefits of this union,” said Toubiana.
- 7/2/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Cannes creche returns; Andrei Konchalovsky to deliver Russian Key Buyers Event keynote; European Film Promotion elects board; drama series “The Holiday” sets lead cast; Canada opens women talent development initiatives; and Chinese blockbuster “The Eight Hundred” to premiere at Udine.
The Cannes Marché du Film and Parenting at Film Festivals are back with their daycare creche initiative Le Ballon Rouge, which was a success when introduced in 2019.
The daycare center, housed in a Covid-safe public school in the area, is available for children aged six months to 12 years from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and for a maximum of six hours at a time for each child during the Cannes Film Festival from July 7-14. In addition, a baby lounge will be available at the Palais.
Badges for the children and their caregivers will be provided by the Marché du Film for free.
Adef, British Film Institute,...
The Cannes Marché du Film and Parenting at Film Festivals are back with their daycare creche initiative Le Ballon Rouge, which was a success when introduced in 2019.
The daycare center, housed in a Covid-safe public school in the area, is available for children aged six months to 12 years from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and for a maximum of six hours at a time for each child during the Cannes Film Festival from July 7-14. In addition, a baby lounge will be available at the Palais.
Badges for the children and their caregivers will be provided by the Marché du Film for free.
Adef, British Film Institute,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Unifrance and German Films executives among new members.
European Film Promotion (Efp) has elected a new board of directors, including senior figures from Unifrance and German Films.
The film promotion organisation has named three members newly appointed to the board: Daniela Elstner, UniFrance executive director; Simone Baumann, German Films managing director; and Eda Koppel, head of marketing at the Estonian Film Institute.
Returning to the board are Markéta Šantrochová, head of Czech Film Center; Stine Oppegaard, manager, international relations feature films at the Norwegian Film Institute; Arben Zharku, director of the Kosovo Cinematography Center; and Briony Hanson, director of film at the British Council.
European Film Promotion (Efp) has elected a new board of directors, including senior figures from Unifrance and German Films.
The film promotion organisation has named three members newly appointed to the board: Daniela Elstner, UniFrance executive director; Simone Baumann, German Films managing director; and Eda Koppel, head of marketing at the Estonian Film Institute.
Returning to the board are Markéta Šantrochová, head of Czech Film Center; Stine Oppegaard, manager, international relations feature films at the Norwegian Film Institute; Arben Zharku, director of the Kosovo Cinematography Center; and Briony Hanson, director of film at the British Council.
- 5/27/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Berlinale 2021: The panel, entitled “The Evolution of the Arthouse Exhibition”, took place on 3 March during the European Film Market. What future should arthouse exhibitors expect? This is the main question tackled by one of the panels that took place during this year's European Film Market, entitled “The Evolution of the Arthouse Exhibition.” The discussion, held on 3 March and moderated by Johanna Koljonen, author of the Nostradamus Report which was presented at Göteborg one month ago, saw the participation of six speakers, namely Christian Bräuer, managing director of the Yorck Kino Gruppe in Berlin and chair of Cicae; Daniela Elstner, executive director of Unifrance; Niklas Nienaß, member of the EU Parliament for Germany; Roberto Olla, executive director of Eurimages; Mira Staleva, deputy director of the Sofia International Film Festival and Cinema House; and Harald Trettenbrein, head of unit at European Commission's Eacea - Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive...
François Ozon’s Summer of ’85 (Été ’85) screens in New York’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze UniFrance and Film at Lincoln Center announced the 26th Rendez-Vous with French Cinema line-up of 18 feature films and free Special Events. Opening the festival is Sébastien Lifshitz’s Little Girl (Petite Fille) with eight-year-old Sasha. Other highlights include François Ozon’s Summer of ’85 (Été ’85), starring Benjamin Voisin and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (music by The Cure); Suzanne Lindon’s Spring Blossom (Seize printemps) with Lindon opposite Arnaud Valois; Nicole Garcia’s Lovers (Amants), starring Stacy Martin, Pierre Niney, and Benoît Magimel; Hélier Cisterne’s Faithful (De nos frères blessés) starring Vicky Krieps and Vincent Lacoste; Quentin Reynaud’s Final Set (Cinquième) set with Kristin Scott Thomas, Ana Girardot, and Alex Lutz, and Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh’s Gagarin (Gagarine) with Jamil McCraven, Lyna Khoudri, and a cameo by Denis Lavant.
Guest of...
Guest of...
- 2/11/2021
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Following Cannes, the AFM, Toronto, Rome and the Hong Kong’s Filmart, UniFrance’s Rendez-Vous With French Cinema was for many film players at least the sixth virtual market since the start of the pandemic, but it was still a much-needed kick-off for French sales agents who launched a flurry of projects and market premieres during the event.
The Rendez-Vous started Jan. 12 with an industry day featuring panels discussing the current landscape for film sales, distribution and festivals with key players, and hosted virtual screenings at set times for 67 movies, including 30 market premieres through Jan. 15. Virtual press junkets also took place with French stars and filmmakers whose movies were screening. The event gathered 875 film executives compared with 450 during previous editions since it was open to all international buyers (rather than only Europeans), and 41 French sales companies. Eric Besnard’s 18th-century-set drama “Delicieux,” sold by Snd, started the UniFrance screenings on Jan.
The Rendez-Vous started Jan. 12 with an industry day featuring panels discussing the current landscape for film sales, distribution and festivals with key players, and hosted virtual screenings at set times for 67 movies, including 30 market premieres through Jan. 15. Virtual press junkets also took place with French stars and filmmakers whose movies were screening. The event gathered 875 film executives compared with 450 during previous editions since it was open to all international buyers (rather than only Europeans), and 41 French sales companies. Eric Besnard’s 18th-century-set drama “Delicieux,” sold by Snd, started the UniFrance screenings on Jan.
- 1/21/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Valerie Lemercier’s Aline is a title in the pipeline for later this year Photo: UniFrance It was only a year ago that Daniela Elstner took over as managing director of UniFrance, which looks after the promotion of French cinema abroad. At the time, this former sales agent said she had “hit the ground running”. Little did she know last January, at the annual Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris, that the ground would be pulled from under her feet by Covid.
Instead of globe-trotting, she has been confined to base in Paris because of the travel restrictions. Although French cinemas have been closed from October and will remain so until at least the end of January if not beyond, films have continued to be made. She’s optimistic about the prospects, suggesting the diversity and variety of French films remains alive and well.
As the virtual Rendez-vous winds down...
Instead of globe-trotting, she has been confined to base in Paris because of the travel restrictions. Although French cinemas have been closed from October and will remain so until at least the end of January if not beyond, films have continued to be made. She’s optimistic about the prospects, suggesting the diversity and variety of French films remains alive and well.
As the virtual Rendez-vous winds down...
- 1/15/2021
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Festival teaser on Thursday to unveil opening night film, eight other titles.
Barry Jenkins and Matthew McConaughey are among scheduled speakers at SXSW Online 2021, set to run from March 16-20.
Country music legend Willie Nelson will give the keynote address, and the conference schedule, released on Wednesday (January 13), includes a talk by British entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson.
Jenkins and his longtime composer Nicholas Britell will discuss their career collaboration and the upcoming Amazon Original limited series The Underground Railroad, while McConaughey will be in conversation with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.
Sessions include Queen Latifah and...
Barry Jenkins and Matthew McConaughey are among scheduled speakers at SXSW Online 2021, set to run from March 16-20.
Country music legend Willie Nelson will give the keynote address, and the conference schedule, released on Wednesday (January 13), includes a talk by British entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson.
Jenkins and his longtime composer Nicholas Britell will discuss their career collaboration and the upcoming Amazon Original limited series The Underground Railroad, while McConaughey will be in conversation with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.
Sessions include Queen Latifah and...
- 1/13/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Assaf Lapid and Marija Kavtaradze among other filmmakers with projects at the co-production forum.
New features from Emma Dante and Antonio Lukic are among more than 30 projects selected for Trieste’s When East Meets West forum, which will take place online from January 25-28 due to the virus crisis.
The Wemw Co-Production Forum will comprise 11 fiction features and 10 documentaries from 14 countries, having received a record 387 submissions from 56 countries.
The titles, set to be pitched virtually to more than 500 decision-makers and producers, include the third feature from leading Italian playwright Emma Dante, Misericordia. Dante’s adaptation of her own play, The Macaluso Sisters,...
New features from Emma Dante and Antonio Lukic are among more than 30 projects selected for Trieste’s When East Meets West forum, which will take place online from January 25-28 due to the virus crisis.
The Wemw Co-Production Forum will comprise 11 fiction features and 10 documentaries from 14 countries, having received a record 387 submissions from 56 countries.
The titles, set to be pitched virtually to more than 500 decision-makers and producers, include the third feature from leading Italian playwright Emma Dante, Misericordia. Dante’s adaptation of her own play, The Macaluso Sisters,...
- 1/13/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Feature documentary includes Stephen Fry and leading names from the world of champagne.
UK independent outfit Swipe Films is to handle world sales on Sparkling: The Story Of Champagne, a feature documentary that will include Stephen Fry and leading names from the world of fine wine.
The film marks the directorial debut of Irish producer and Swipe Films managing director Frank Mannion, and is in post-production. The first footage will be shown to buyers at the European Film Market (Efm) in March, with the feature set to be completed in time for Cannes. Talks are underway with an agency to co-represent in the US.
UK independent outfit Swipe Films is to handle world sales on Sparkling: The Story Of Champagne, a feature documentary that will include Stephen Fry and leading names from the world of fine wine.
The film marks the directorial debut of Irish producer and Swipe Films managing director Frank Mannion, and is in post-production. The first footage will be shown to buyers at the European Film Market (Efm) in March, with the feature set to be completed in time for Cannes. Talks are underway with an agency to co-represent in the US.
- 1/13/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The company unveiled its French slate for the first half of 2021 at the online edition of Unifrance Rendez-Vous with French Cinema.
Paris-based mk2 films has launched sales on Robert Guédiguian’s youthful 1960s West Africa-set love story Mali Twist at this year’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, which is running online from January 13 to 15.
The company has unveiled a first look image (see above) of the feature set against the backdrop of the febrile atmosphere of post-Colonial Mali, where youngsters danced to rock and roll music in the capital of Bamako against a backdrop of dreams of political renewal.
Paris-based mk2 films has launched sales on Robert Guédiguian’s youthful 1960s West Africa-set love story Mali Twist at this year’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, which is running online from January 13 to 15.
The company has unveiled a first look image (see above) of the feature set against the backdrop of the febrile atmosphere of post-Colonial Mali, where youngsters danced to rock and roll music in the capital of Bamako against a backdrop of dreams of political renewal.
- 1/13/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Organised online this year from 13 to 15 January, UniFrance's event will provide upwards of 800 buyers from 59 countries with the opportunity to discover the line-ups of 44 French sales agents. Scores of cinemas around the world might still be closed on account of the health crisis (resulting in a huge number of films awaiting release and the prospect of hefty backlogs once movie-theatres are eventually given the green light), but the ability of film industry professionals to look to the future, not to mention the appeal of French films, both remain fully intact, as evidenced by the mighty battalion of 800 buyers, hailing from 59 countries, who have signed up for the 23rd Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris, which will this year unfold online, between 13 and 15 January, under the aegis of UniFrance (steered by Executive Director Daniela Elstner and President Serge Toubiana). The event is...
MyFrenchFilmFestival, an online film festival dedicated to French movies launched by the promotion org UniFrance, will showcase 33 titles, including a competitive lineup of 10 feature films and 10 shorts.
Set to run Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, the 11th edition of the festival will collaborate with more than 60 platforms around the world to allow movies to be watched across more than 200 territories.
The roster of films selected to compete as part of this year’s MyFrenchFilmFestival includes Sébastien Lifshitz’s “Adolescents,” a documentary exploring the evolving friendship of two young women through the years; Hafsia Herzi’s “You Deserve a Lover,” a drama about a young woman struggling to overcome a breakup; and Frédéric Fonteyne’s “Filles de joie,” a social drama about family women leading double lives to make ends meet.
The rest of the lineup comprises Bruno Merle’s “Felicita,” a family dramedy about an eccentric couple raising a child; Stéphane Batut...
Set to run Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, the 11th edition of the festival will collaborate with more than 60 platforms around the world to allow movies to be watched across more than 200 territories.
The roster of films selected to compete as part of this year’s MyFrenchFilmFestival includes Sébastien Lifshitz’s “Adolescents,” a documentary exploring the evolving friendship of two young women through the years; Hafsia Herzi’s “You Deserve a Lover,” a drama about a young woman struggling to overcome a breakup; and Frédéric Fonteyne’s “Filles de joie,” a social drama about family women leading double lives to make ends meet.
The rest of the lineup comprises Bruno Merle’s “Felicita,” a family dramedy about an eccentric couple raising a child; Stéphane Batut...
- 1/5/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Former Cnc and Arte chief Véronique Cayla promises transparency, democracy and gender equality.
Véronique Cayla and Eric Toledano have been voted president and vice president of France’s Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques for a two-year term, in the body’s first democratic, gender-equal election of its governing board.
The French film industry is hoping their election will mark the end of a torrid period for the troubled body which went into meltdown earlier this year amid growing criticisms over its lack of transparency, gender equality and inclusion.
Cayla has wide experience of France’s film and TV world...
Véronique Cayla and Eric Toledano have been voted president and vice president of France’s Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques for a two-year term, in the body’s first democratic, gender-equal election of its governing board.
The French film industry is hoping their election will mark the end of a torrid period for the troubled body which went into meltdown earlier this year amid growing criticisms over its lack of transparency, gender equality and inclusion.
Cayla has wide experience of France’s film and TV world...
- 9/30/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
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