The ninth edition of the Young French Cinema was launched in January 2023. The objective remained the same as in previous editions: to offer, through a simple and flexible system, a program of contemporary French films yet to find a distributor, to North American theaters, cinematheques, and universities, sometimes accompanied by masterclasses and debates, with the films' directors present.
Young French Cinema, organized by Unifrance and Villa Albertine, once again focuses on a young generation of filmmakers, who are at the helm of films that combine visual innovation and cultural influences.
Independent works, high-level documentaries, and unusual discoveries, the 2023 edition of Young French Cinema will highlight 11 feature films selected during 2022 in the world's key film festivals (Cannes, Toronto, Venice, etc.), in order to make them accessible to American audiences beyond New York and Los Angeles.
It should also be noted that of the 11 films in the selection, seven were directed by women, and two were co-produced by Switzerland, in partnership with SWISS FILMS.
The 2023 selection
- Atlantic Bar by Fanny Molins
- Bigger Than Us by Flore Vasseur
- Stuntwomen by Elena Avdija
- Love According to Dalva by Emmanuelle Nicot
- Freestyle by Didier Barcelo
- Until Tomorrow by Ali Asgari
- The Sixth Child by Léopold Legrand
- For My Country by Rachid Hami
- Three Nights a Week by Florent Gouëlou
- Mother and Son by Léonor Serraille
- See You Friday, Robinson by Mitra Farahani
Overview of the 2022 edition
Despite the context of the pandemic and the slow recovery in 2022, the YFC 2022 circulated well: more than 90 screenings took place in 2022 in about 30 venues (cinemas, cinematheques, universities, Alliances Françaises) in the different districts, generating about $19,000 in box office revenues for French sales agents and producers. The films were shown in sixteen American states.
With about 15 screenings since January, Robust is the title that generated the most interest from theaters and universities. It was closely followed by Above Water, Magnetic Beats, and The Horizon.
An American tour was organized for Aïssa Maïga for the presentation of Above Water in theaters and universities, as well as several Q&As / round tables (physical and virtual). Déborah Lukumuena, Anaïs Volpé, Émilie Carpentier, and Aurélia Georges were hence able to interact with the public and American students.
