For the 22nd year running, UniFrance will host the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris from January 16 through 20, 2020, the world's biggest film market and the biggest press junket dedicated exclusively to French films. 389 international buyers will be present this year (including distributors VOD buyers, and TV buyers) and 30 exhibitors from 49 countries, in addition to 44 sales companies and around 115 international journalists from 32 countries, and over 130 French actors and directors. Their meetings will focus on a grand total of 184 French productions and co-productions.
In keeping with annual traditions, this major industry event held in Paris over five days will bring together international distributors and exporters of French films, film journalists from around the world, and actors and directors from the films presented.
Film Market
The Film Market will open on the evening of January 16 with a special screening of How to be a Good Wife by Martin Provost, which is distributed and sold by Memento Films, held in the presence of the film's director and lead cast members Juliette Binoche and Noémie Lvovsky.
Over 80 films will be shown to international buyers at this year's market (including 57 market premieres), with 44 French sales companies in attendance.
Once again this year, a number of producers and distributors of immersive content will take part in the event on January 17 and 18, including Wide, VRrOOm, and Atlas V, who will present their in-house productions and latest acquisitions, as well as an app dedicated to film festivals.
Press Junket
Around 120 actors and directors who are behind the French films that will be lighting up screens around the world in 2020 will meet with the 115 accredited international journalists from 32 countries during four days of interviews held in the heart of Paris. Last year, just under 2,600 interviews at this event!
The styling of the artists interviewed will be entrusted to the partners of the Rendez-Vous 2020: Givenchy (under the direction of Nicolas Degennes) for makeup, and Massato Paris for hairstyling.
As was the case last year, Philippe Quaisse will be the event's official photographer. A selection of Quaisse's work will be published in Madame Figaro, partner of the event, in a special portfolio dedicated to French cinema, which will be released in English in a special collector's issue of the magazine.
Event Program (invitation only)
Thursday, January 16
12:00 p.m.: Unifrance press conference, with the announcement of the figures for the performance of French films abroad in 2019, a report on French films at international film festivals and on SVOD providers, and the official launch of MyFrenchFilmFestival 2020 at the French Ministry of Culture.
7:00 p.m.: Market premiere screening of How to be a Good Wife by Martin Provost, directed toward foreign distributors, in the presence of Martin Provost, Juliette Binoche, and Noémie Lvovsky.
8:30 p.m.: Cocktail reception to celebrate the film market's opening night
Thursday, January 16, to Saturday, January 19
- Film market with film screenings
Friday, January 17 to Monday, January 20
- International press junket
Sunday, January 19:
7:30 p.m.: "Foreign Press & French Talents" dinner and presentation of the French Cinema Award to Olivier Assayas