Unifrance continued its ongoing support to French films in international territories in February.
Industry events
Unifrance promoted French cinema at the recent 58th Berlin International Film Festival, with representatives present at the event.
The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary this year from February 1 through 9. As is our tradition each year, Unifrance was in attendance to receive industry professionals.
On February 13, Unifrance provided support to the preview screening of Intimate Enemies in Algeria, organized by the film’s distributor MD Ciné.
From February 29 through March 9, Unifrance and the Film Society of Lincoln Center are presenting the 13th Rendez-Vous With French Cinema in New York.
Festivals/Delegations
This month, Unifrance assisted travel for 6 French artists presenting 35 feature films at two other international film festivals: the Belgrade International Film Festival and Mexico City’s International Festival of Contemporary Film.
Unifrance provided support to the screening of 17 films at 3 international short film festivals: Anima – Brussels Cartoon and Animated Film Festival, the Mons International Love Film Festival, and Fantasporto – Porto International Film Festival.
Festivals/Awards
Berlin International Film Festival international (Feature films)
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long) by Philippe Claudel – Ecumenical Award
Lemon Tree by Eran Riklis – Audience Award in the Panorama Section
Tous à l'Ouest, une aventure de Lucky Luke (Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure) by Olivier Jean-Marie – Grand Prize in the Generation Section
Anima – Brussels Cartoon and Animated Film Festival (Short films)
La Queue de la souris by Benjamin Renner – Audience Award and Best Student Film
Le Pont by Arnaud Demuynck – French Community Grand Prize and RTBF Award
L'Évasion by Arnaud Demuynck, Gilles Cuvelier, and Gabriel Jacquel – ACE Digital Group Award
Grants awarded for commercial release
Unifrance provided support to the release of 6 films in foreign markets, with travel grants awarded to 10 artists.
Olivier Assayas for the release of Boarding Gate in the USA
Philippe Ramos for the release of Captain Achab in Sweden
Nadine Labaki for the release of Caramel in Germany and the UK
Patrice Leconte for the release of My Best Friend in Japan
Jeanne Balibar for the release of Don't Touch the Axe in the USA
Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt for the release of Odette Toulemonde in Italy
Blutch, Pierre Di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattoti, and Marie Caillou for the release of Fear(s) of the Dark in Belgium
Luc Jacquet for the release of The Fox & the Child in Finland
Michel Blanc for the release of The Witnesses in Quebec
Faouzi Bensaïdi and Nezha Rahil for the release of What a Wonderful World in Sweden
