The 31st French Film Festival in Yokohama, organized by Unifrance with the support of the Ambassade de France, the City of Yokohama, and Nissan, will take place from March 20 to 24, 2024 in Yokohama's Minato Mirai district. Launched in 1993, the festival is now the longest-running event of its kind organized by Unifrance internationally, and remains the most important French film festival in Asia.
For this new edition, journalist and critic Kuriko Sato viewed 60 films, contributing to the following selection:
Along Came Love by Katell Quillévéré
Opening film
In the presence of cast members Anaïs Demoustier and Vincent Lacoste
Exporter: Charades
Àma Gloria by Marie Amachoukeli
In the presence of Marie Amachoukeli (director) and Louise Mauroy-Panzani (actress)
Distributor: Transformer, Inc. / Exporter: Pyramide International
Animal by Cyril Dion
In the presence of Cyril Dion (director)
Distributor: United People/ Exporter: Orange Studio
Les Indésirables by Ladj Ly
In the presence of Ladj Ly (director)
Distributor: Tohokushinsha Film Corporation (TFC)/ Exporter: Goodfellas
Good Work by Claire Denis
In the presence of Claire Denis (director)
Distributor: Twin/ Exporter: Mediawan
Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe by Martin Provost
In the presence of Martin Provost (director)
Distributor: Only Hearts/ Exporter: Memento International
Of Money and Blood by Xavier Giannoli
In the presence of Xavier Giannoli (director)
Exporter: STUDIOCANAL
The Beast by Bertrand Bonello
In the presence of Bertrand Bonello (director)
Exporter: Kinology
Consent by Vanessa Filho
In the presence of Vanessa Filho (director) and Kim Higelin (actress)
Distributor: The Klockworx Co Ltd/ Exporter: SND
Neneh Superstar by Ramzi Ben Sliman
In the presence of Ramzi Ben Sliman (director)
Distributor: Aeon Entertainment/ Exporter: Gaumont
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Pierre Földes
In the presence of Pierre Földes (director)
Distributor: Eurospace/ Exporter: The Match Factory
Sidonie in Japan by Élise Girard
In the presence of Élise Girard (director) and Tsuyoshi Ihara (actor)
Exporter: Indie Sales
Vermin by Sébastien Vaniček
In the presence of Sébastien Vaniček (director)
Distributor: Medallion Media Co./ Exporters: Charades & WTFilms
For the first time in the festival's history, a series will be premiered to Japanese audiences, Xavier Giannoli's Of Money and Blood, in the presence of the director. A parallel program dedicated to the work of Claire Denis will also be presented in partnership with the Institut Français of Japan and the Cinemarine movie theater in Yokohama.
Japanese star Yakusho Kôji is this year's Festival Ambassador. The lead actor in Perfect Days, he won Best Actor for his performance at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and the film has been nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Above, at the press conference held in Yokohama on 5 February.
From left to right: Emmanuel Pisarra, Unifrance; Joji Tagawa, Vice-President of Nissan; Koji Yakusho, Festival Special Ambassador; Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama; Philippe Setton, French Ambassador to Japan.
On Wednesday March 20, a public holiday in Japan, the festival will kick off with a cocktail reception at the Westin Yokohama, the delegation's hotel and partner for the event, before moving on to a major red carpet function in the heart of Yokohama, at Sakuragicho. This highlight will be followed by the opening screening at the Yokohama Burg 13 movie theater, the venue for this 31st edition.
Screenings will take place from March 20 to 24, followed by Q&A sessions with the public, and autograph sessions, which are very popular in Japan. Audiences will be invited to give their opinion about the film they have seen to determine the winner of the Audience Award 2024. A draw will be held at the end of the festival to select one spectator-voter who will receive a round-trip ticket between Japan and Paris, valid for two people, thanks to our partner Air France.
As is the case every year, several masterclasses will be organized in collaboration with the Tokyo University of the Arts, Yokohama campus, and Yokohama City University. Many of the latter's students will also be taking part in the festival as volunteers..
The festival's new visual identity has been created by merch. a studio founded by the creators of the Franco-Japanese brand Carne Bollente and responsible for campaigns for Mubi and the Fondation Cartier, among others. Goodies created by merch. – t-shirts, tote bags, posters, postcards – will be available for sale at the event.
On the market front
Prior to the festival, Unifrance is also organizing the French Film Market in Tokyo on March 18 and 19 at the brand-new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in the central Shinjuku district.
Twenty or so French film companies will participate: Artedis, Charades, Film Constellation, France tv distribution, Gaumont, Gebeka International, Goodfellas, Indie Sales, Kinology, Le Pacte, Les Films du Losange, Loco Films, Luxbox, mk2 films, Newen Connect a TF1 Group Company, Pulsar Content, Pyramide International, SND, STUDIOCANAL, The Bureau Sales, and Totem Films. A cocktail reception will be held in the evening of March 18.
For any queries, please contact emmanuel.pisarra@unifrance.org
Discover the trailer of this 31st edition!
Media Gallery
