Editor

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

LOS ANGELES The Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF) announced today that The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) will hold its 28th annual edition and awards competition October 29-November 3 at the Directors Guild of America Theater on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. 

“It is with great excitement that we can look forward to hosting The American French Film Festival this year.  2023 was a very challenging year for the film and television business because of the strikes, but now we can move forward and celebrate the talent and films that this Festival showcases every year,” said Cécile Rap-Veber, President of the Franco-American Cultural Fund and CEO of Sacem.

The American French Film Festival is the premier annual event of the Franco American Cultural Fund, which created the Festival in 1996. It is the largest French film festival in North America and the largest festival dedicated to French Films and TV programs in the world. Over the years, TAFFF has earned the reputation for being a launchpad for French films, filmmakers and actors in America. In 2022, 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 had their films’ US, international or world premieres at the Festival.  

Five-time Oscar nominated film Anatomy of a Fall was among the 23 other films, 10 series, four TV movies, and 17 short films that were part of the 2023 program. TAFFF announced the lineup in September despite the Festival’s in-person event being cancelled.

“TAFFF has become an increasingly important international event for French filmmakers and talent to gain exposure in the Hollywood film community,” notes Francois Truffart, Executive Producer and Programmer, TAFFF. “By providing opportunities for international sales companies and US distributors - including digital platforms - to convene and screen French-language films and series before the start of the Awards Season is pivotal to their overall sales and marketing strategies.”

This year, TAFFF will also continue its highly successful educational program which provides 3,000 high school students with the opportunity to attend a screening and discussion with filmmakers at the DGA Theater. 

“At a time when everyone is on their phones and in-person interactions are declining, The American French Film Festival Education Program inspires students to truly engage. Through our screenings and Q&As with French actors and filmmakers at the DGA Theater, as well as the in-class materials we develop with educators, this effective annual program continues to encourage thoughtful discussion and nurture a new generation of French film enthusiasts,” said Anouchka van Riel, Deputy Director of TAFFF.

The American French Film Festival

The American 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), Air Tahiti Nui, ELMA, Champagne Fleur de Miraval, L’Oréal, TV5 Monde, and Variety. The American French Film Festival Education Program is supported by ELMA. 

For additional information visit : www.theamericanfrenchfilmfestival.org