It has been a successful year for French cinema at the Venice International Film Festival. In addition to a record presence at the event in all festival sections, French films (including one minority co-production) have picked up a total of 6 awards.
Official Competition
Courted by Christian Vincent snatched two of the top prizes at the 72nd edition of the festival: Best Screenplay and the Volpi Cup for Best Actor awarded to Fabrice Luchini. Twenty-five years after receiving the Critics' Week award for The Discreet in 1990, this marks a fine comeback for Christian Vincent and his lead actor Luchini.
Frenzy by Emin Alper, a French co-production, won the Special Jury Prize.
The French author and screenwriter Emmanuel Carrère was a member of this year's jury.
Venice Days Section
The jury, led by the director Laurent Cantet, awarded prizes to two French films:
The debut film by Leyla Bouzid, As I Open My Eyes, was honored with the Europa Cinemas Label and the Audience Prize. Following the awards ceremony, the jury highlighted the fact that "at a time when, in Europe, we are all concerned by the refugee crisis, this film brings a sense of optimism and hope for renewed progress in this region of the world."
And finally, Lolo by Julie Delpy picked up the Laguna Sud Prize for Best Film.
Orrizonti Section
Land Legs by Samuel Collardey received the award for Best Actor for Dominique Leborne, while the short film E.T.E.R.N.I.T. by Giovanni Aloi was awarded the Venice Short Film Nomination for the European Film Awards 2015.
Venice Classics
The 1000 Eyes of Dr Maddin by Yves Montmayeur won the Venice Classics Prize for Best Documentary, awarded by 25 film school students.
