16th French Film Festival

This year, the VCU French Film Festival offers a selection of 11 feature films and 14 short films to the public, all illustrating the diversity and richness of current French cinematographic production. The 16th annual film fest will be presented this weekend, Mar. 28-30, at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown. French director Jean Becker and actor […]

March 27, 2008; 1:09 PM • by FTRea

French director Jean Becker and actor Thierry Lhermitte will lead a delegation of more than 30 directors and actors who will present their films and participate in question-and-answer sessions with the audience.

The VCU French Film Festival draws a large American audience from across the United States. Last year’s festival attracted a record-breaking 20,000 patrons made up of a diverse American and French public, including film enthusiasts, families, art aficionados, teachers and students. All films have English subtitles.

The festival is also making an unprecedented connection between eight directors associated with the FEMIS, France’s top cinema school, who will stay a week after the event to shoot in 35mm cinemascope format a series of short films with VCUArts Cinema students.

Some of this year’s feature films include “Ensemble c’est tout,” by Claude Berri; “Dialogue avec mon jardinier,” by Jean Becker; “Jean de La Fontaine-le d’fi,” directed by Daniel Vigne; “Un secret,” directed by Claude Miller; and “L’Invit,” by Laurent Bouhnik. Selections illustrate the diversity and richness of French cinema today.

The festival is sponsored by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Unifrance, l’ARP (Guild of French Directors and Producers) and the SACD (Society of Dramatic Authors, Directors and Producers). The Community Idea Stations (PBS) and the TV channel TV5MONDE are also partners of the festival.

Click here to view the festival schedule of screenings.

– Information provided by the VCU French Film Festival, 916 West Franklin Street, (804) 827-FILM (3456), E-mail: frenchfilm@vcu.edu