Perth / Sydney / Melbourne - from 02.26.12 to 03.10.12

Having just got back from the French Film Days in Budapest, here I am once again in a plane bound for Perth. After a few days with my family (my mother-in-law lives there), I'm off to Sydney, where I make the acquaintance of Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, the French cultural attachée, who is taking care of me during the The The Alliance Française French Film Festival - 2012. I've got to say that her organisation was flawless. The press was also very well organised and comprehensive (twenty interviews spread between Perth, Sydney and Melbourne).
In Melbourne we had time to meet the A Happy Event's distributors (Umbrella) and to also do a few interviews that will be used for the DVD release. The distributors were extremely motivated by the way the Australian public and press embraced the film. I therefore took the opportunity of talking to them about Zarafa... We'll see what happens. In conclusion, a very good festival, its only flaw is that it is a little bit far from home.

Buenos Aires - from 03.12.12 to 03.16.12

Unable to find a direct flight from Sydney to Buenos Aires, here I am clocking up hours of flying, stopping off briefly in Paris to do a load of washing.
In Buenos Aires, a private company is behind French film festival of Argentina (ex-Preview Screenings) - 2012 festival and manages its organisation. The town is extraordinary and I discover it on my lonesome.
Half a day of interviews, then a meeting with my excellent Argentinean distributors (CDI Films) and I am already on my way again.

Athens - from 03.25.12 to 03.27.12

For the second time, I am invited to the Festival du Film Francophone de Grèce - 2012, in Athens, organised by the Institut Français. And just like three years ago, the welcome and organization are fantastic. A total success.

Istanbul - from 04.02.12 to 04.04.12

A great impression also at the Istanbul International Short Film Festival - 2012, masterfully directed by French-speaking Turks Azize Tan and Kerem Ayan. Excellent organization, terrific welcome. Filma, the film's distributor, took care of the press, and I also took the opportunity of meeting Chantier Films, the Turkish distributor of Zarafa. Two very busy days. And getting to discover Istanbul. Magical!

Rémi Bezançon