|
|
|
|
|
Unifrance presents the 23rd German-Franco Film Meetings
|
The 23rd Franco-German Film Meetings, organized by Unifrance, the Académie Franco-Allemande du Cinéma, and German Films, will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025 in Paris, and will bring together committed professionals from the French, German, and European film industries to discuss current developments in our sector and imagine new perspectives together.
|
For more than 20 years, this event has been an essential platform for producers, distributors, exporters, creatives, partners, financial institutions, decision-makers – and for all those who passionately contribute to Franco-German and European film exchanges. Information and program: https://www.das-rendez-vous.org/rdv-2025/ The registration form can be found here  The Franco-German Film Meetings offer participants exchanges with key players in the industry, exclusive insights into current projects, financing trends and creative processes, direct contacts for co-production, project development and financing, as well as a rich program including panels, keynotes, case studies, and networking time. The program (in construction) - Case study: The Little Sister – Franco-German co-production in Competition at Cannes, Best Actress Award. With Julie Billy (June Films / F) & Vanessa Ciszewski (Katuh Studio / ALL)
- Round table: Independent companies on the chessboard – Different perspectives. With Martin Danisch (Turbokultur), Alexandra Lebret (Axio – Together Fund), Cyrine Amor (Ampere Analysis)
- Presentation: From prompt to preview – AI in film production. With Franziska Hansel (Storybook Studios)
- Round table: Respectful production – regulatory frameworks in France and Germany for a healthy working environment. With Dr Andreas Bareiß (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), Louise Lebecq (SPI)
- Panel: Art, work, life – new answers to old questions. With representatives from Frahm Sisters Production (tbc)
- Panel: Sales Stories – what sells, how and to whom? With representatives from Lucky Number (tbc)
- Focus: Rethinking development – experimental, collaborative, market-oriented. With Helge Albers (MOIN Filmförderung), Antoine Le Bos (Le Groupe Ouest)
- Focus: Cross-Border Stories. With Agnès Olier (Arte France)
- Panel: Media chronology in France – two examples. With Antoine Boilley (Arcom)
- Keynote: Audiovisual policies in Brussels – between the internal market and cultural mission. With Juliette Prissard (Eurocinema)
- Panel: New Gravity – or how Europe can (re)become the film centre of the future. With Fabian Gasmia (Seven Elephants)
- Panel: Public funding of cinema in Germany – an update on the reform. With Katharina Hiersemenzel (Constantin Film AG (DE)), Peter Dinges (FFA Filmförderungsan
- Keynote: The CNC today – perspectives and priorities. With Gaëtan Bruel (CNC)
- Presentation: The new generation of European cinema. With representatives from OFAJ & Atelier Ludwigsburg Paris
 The evening of 8 October, the first day of the German-Franco Film Meetings, will conclude with a cocktail reception on a barge sailing on the clear waters of the capital, and with the opening of the German Film Festival in Paris, to which all participants are warmly invited.
|
|
|
|
|
All the French films at the 78th Locarno Film Festival
|
More than forty works produced or co-produced by France will be presented at this year's Locarno Film Festival ((August 6-16), including the final part to Abdellatif Kechiche's Mektoub, My Love trilogy, the only majority-French film in International Competition. The small town in the south of Switzerland, the cradle for this major festival dedicated to arthouse and experimental cinema, currently directed by Giona A. Nazzaro, will be the perfect setting for new films by Hafsia Herzi, Jean-Stéphane Bron, Maureen Fazendeiro, Tamara Stepanyan, Maxime Matray, Alexia Walther, and Jérôme Reybaud, most of which will have their world premiere there.
|
This will be a first for Abdellatif Kechiche at Locarno, as the director has always presented his films in Venice or Cannes. Mektoub My Love : Canto Due brings to a close a trilogy of which only the first opus (Mektoub, My Love : Canto Uno) was released theatrically eight years ago, the second having been presented only at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Four other minority-French co-productions will also be in the running for the precious Golden Leopard: the documentary Les Saisons, the second feature by Maureen Fazendeiro, a French filmmaker based in Lisbon; Mare's Nest by British experimental filmmaker Ben Rivers; Mosquitoes by the Italian duo Valentina Bertani and Nicole Bertani; and Sans l'aide de Dieu, the third feature by Croation film director Hana Jusic. Mosquitoes Out of Competion, Swiss Jean-Stéphane Bron will present Le Chantier, his documentary about Renzo Piano. This majority-French film is produced by Les Films Pelléas, as is the series The Deal, also directed by Jean-Stéphane Bron, whose first two episodes will be screened in the Piazza Grande. In this huge open-air screening area, much appreciated by the 8,000 spectators who are accommodated there, the Palme d'Or 2025, It Was Just an Accident by Jafar Panahi, will be shown, as will The Little Sister by Hafsia Herzi, also presented at Cannes, where its star Nadia Melliti won the Best Actress Award, and In the Land of Arto, by Armenian filmmaker Tamara Stepanyan, starring Zar Amir and Camille Cottin on the roads of Armenia. In the Land of Arto In the Cineasti del Presenti, the duo Maxime Matray and Alexia Walther (Blonde Animals) will come to present Affection Affection, while Jérôme Reybaud will be there for Un balcon à Limoges, nine years after his debut feature 4 Days in France. Affection Affection 10 French short films have been selected in the Pardi di Domani. (full list below) Happily ever after Last but not least, Rithy Panhh will be chairing this year's Concorso Internazionale Jury, and producer Judith Lou Lévy and filmmaker Patricia Mazuy are part of the First Feature jury.
Unifrance's presence in Locarno On Sunday, August 9, Unifrance will organize a cocktail reception in honor of French cinema, in the presence of the Ambassadrice de France in Switzerland and the delegations of French films attending the festival (by invitation only). Furthermore, as part of its commitment to supporting the international development of emerging French producers, Unifrance has renewed its partnership with the festival, enabling three member companies to take part in the Match Me! program. This year they are: - Anne Berjon (Mondina Films)
- Nathalie Dennes (The Living)
- Manuel Romero (Eddy Cinema)
All the French films at the 78th Locarno Film Festival International Competition - Mektoub My Love : Canto Due by Abdellatif Kechiche
- Les Saisons by Maureen Fazendeiro (minority-French co-production)
- Mare's Nest by Ben Rivers (French co-production shares not specified)
- Mosquitoes by Valentina Bertani and Nicole Bertani (minority-French co-production)
- Sans l'aide de Dieu by Hana Jusic (minority-French co-production)
Out of Competition - Le Chantier by Jean-Stéphane Bron
- Exile by Mehdi Hmili (minority-French co-production)
- The Deal by Jean-Stéphane Bron (screening of the first two episodes)
Piazza Grande - The Little Sister by Hafsia Herzi
- In the Land of Arto by Tamara Stepanyan
- It Was Just an Accident by Jafar Panahi
- Gilgamesh's Dream by Mohamed Jabarah Al Daradji (French co-production shares not specified)
- Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier (minority-French co-production)
Cineasti del Presente - Un balcon à Limoges by Jérôme Reybaud
- Affection Affection by Maxime Matray and Alexia Walther
- Becoming by Zhannat Alshanova
- Balearic by Ion De Sosa (minority-French co-production)
- Don’t Let Me Die by Andrei Epure (French co-production shares not specified)
- Hair, Paper, Water... by Minh Quý Trương and Nicolas Graux (French co-production shares not specified)
- Hijo mayor by Cecilia Kang (French co-production shares not specified)
Semaine de la Critique - Silent Legacy by Jenni Kivistö, Jussi Rastas (French co-production shares not specified)
- She by Parsifal Reparato (French co-production shares not specified)
Histoire(s) du cinéma - Silent Light by Carlos Reygadas (minority-French co-production)
Locarno Kids - Arco by Ugo Bienvenu
- Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake by Irene Iborra (minority-French co-production)
- Fantastique by Marjolijn Prins (minority-French co-production)
Panorama Suisse - The Safe House by Lionel Baier (minority-French co-production)
Open Doors - So Long a Letter by Angèle Diabang (French co-production shares not specified)
- Ancestral Visions Of The Future by Lemohang Mosese (French co-production shares not specified)
- Nome by Sana Na N'Hada (minority-French co-production)
Histoire(s) du cinéma / Raimondo Rezzonico Award Abbout Productions - Costa Brava, Lebanon by Mounia Akl (minority-French co-production)
- Memory Box by Khalil Joreige and Joana Hadjithomas
Histoire(s) du cinéma - Premio Cinema Ticino Michele Dell'Ambrogio Histoire(s) du cinéma - Cinéma Suisse Redécouvert - L'Ogre by Simon Edelstein (minority-French co-production)
- Les Vilaines Manières by Simon Edelstein (minority-French co-production)
Short Films - Pardi di Domani (International Competition) - Boa by Alexandre Dostie
- El Dorado by Anton Bialas
- Goats! by Tonći Gaćina
- Happily ever after by Élodie Beaumont Tarillon
- Plancton by Irene Moray
- Still Playing by Mohamed Mesbah
- A sky so low by Joachim Michaux
- Yo Yo by Mohammadreza Mayghani
Short Films - Pardi di Domani (National Competition) - Yonne by Julietta Korbel and Yan Ciszewski
Short Films - Pardi di Domani (Corti d'Autore Competition) - A South Facing Window by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
|
|
|
French cinema in Rome with the 4th Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere
|
Music, encounters, and cinema were on the program for this 2025 edition, which was held from July 4 to 8, and which, as every year, brought together two simultaneous events: in Paris, Dolcevita-sur-Seine showcased Italian works, and in Rome, Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere highlighted a selection of recent French films, as well as two classic films. Laure Calamy and Rebecca Zlotowski attended the event and be on hand to chat with Italian audiences after the screening of their respective films.  French films screening: - Eternal Playground by Pablo Cotten and Joseph Rozé
- Other People's Children by Rebecca Zlotowski
- My Donkey, My Lover & I by Caroline Vignal
- Children of Paradise by Marcel Carné (opening film)
- The Party / La Boum by Claude Pinoteau (closing film)
In Rome, Unifrance showcased its 10 to Watch 2025 through an exhibition of portraits taken by photographer Marie Rouge on the occasion of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris. The vernissage was held at Casa del Cinema on July 4, the venue for the film screenings.  The festivities were rounded off on July 7 at the Villa Medicis by the awards ceremony for the Ristretto Short Film Competition, organized in conjunction with La fémis and the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC). The two winning films screened in the evening. The event's official website
|
|
|
|
Unifrance with French documentaries at Sheffield Doc Fest
|
A genuine crossroads for documentaries, the festival offers screenings, professional meetings, panels, markets, and masterclasses in a friendly, dynamic atmosphere. In this context, Unifrance organized a networking breakfast entitled “Love at First Pitch,” which enabled several French documentary projects in development to be presented to international decision-makers and partners. This initiative is part of Unifrance's mission to support the visibility and circulation of French documentaries worldwide. Daniela Elstner, Executive Director of Unifrance, also participated in the panel "Building Bridges, Backing Stories," alongside Simone Baumann (German Films) and Denitsa Yordanova (UK Global Screen Fund), to discuss strategies for supporting the co-production, distribution, and international promotion of documentaries. This high point highlighted the key role played by European institutions in supporting talent and structuring the sector internationally.  The French presence was also noted at the awards ceremony: - Grand Jury Award – International Competition: Welded Together by Anastasiya Miroshnichenko, co-produced by the French company Little Big Story, with The Netherlands and Belgium. The jury praised this "portrait of resilience and strength" and its "honest and delicate portrayal of a young woman desperately trying to hold her family 'welded together'" in the harsh realities of Belarussian society.
- Tim Hetherington Award: Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb (France/Tunisia/Qatar), a powerful documentary tracing the hopes and tragedies of the Sudanese uprising in 2019.
- The Al Jazeera Documentary Channel Co-Production Award went to the French project Power, Elaine, directed by Mila Turajlic and produced by the Survivance (Carine Chichkowsky) production company, presented at MeetMarket.
These distinctions testify to the excellence and commitment of French documentary on the international scene, and confirm the relevance of the actions taken to strengthen its reach. All the French documentaries presented at the 32th Sheffield Doc/Fest Feature films - International Competition Feature films - Rebellions Feature films - Tim Hetherington Award Feature films - People & Community Journeys Memories Short films - Special Programs Immersives works - VR Cinema
|
|
|
|
"The Quiet Son" wins the Prix Palatine 2025
|
Presented in premiere screenings to over 900 high school students in ten Italian cities – from Rome to Turin, Milan to Bari, Bologna to Foggia – The Quiet Son (released in Italy with the title Noi e loro by I Wonder Pictures) aroused strong emotions and discussions. “We have wonderful memories of our exchanges with the high school students, and we are particularly touched that a film that defends democracy and humanist values has been received with such enthusiasm by young Italians,” said the directors Delphine and Muriel Coulin. The film moved the audience and sparked passionate debate about the its depiction of a close relationship between a father and his two sons, set against a backdrop of violence sparked by political extremes. "I may know the world and life better than you on a theoretical and intellectual level, because I have more experience,” said Vincent Lindon, addressing the Prix Palatine students. "But you know today's world better in an organic way. And it's you who will find the answers." The other French films in Competition in Italy were Stella in Love by Sylvie Verheyde (distributor No.Mad Entertainment) and Wild Diamond by Agathe Riedinger (distributor Academy Two). The films were selected in collaboration with the Rendez-vous – Nuovo cinema francese festival, organized by the Institut Français in Italy and Unifrance. Meanwhile, when it came to the Italian selection, The Time It Takes by Francesca Comencini was voted Best Italian Film by the French student jury. With over 50 screenings between the two countries and 40 high schools taking part, the Prix Palatine 2025 was a real success. Young people were able to debate with the filmmakers, vote for their favorite works, and take part in a short-film competition, which resulted in trips for students and teachers between Paris and Rome. The Prix Palatine's official website 
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 years of Terranoa: three documentaries to celebrate a catalog in motion
|
To mark Terranoa's 25th anniversary, Unifrance invited Gedeon Media Group's distribution subsidiary to highlight three recent documentaries from its catalog. The choice fell on The Lost City of Sanxingdui (co-produced by Imagissime for France 5 and BKM for CCTV); Mary, Queen of Scots - Cracking the Code (produced by Gedeon Programmes for ARTE France), and Collisions: Life and Death from Outer Space (co-produced by Nomades, Mélusine Productions, and A Table Productions). Through the presentation of these three programs, emblematic of the diversity and quality of Terranoa's catalog, Isabelle Graziadey, Executive Director International Coproductions, Sales & Acquisitions at Terranoa, reaffirms the strength of the group's synergies and its ability to adapt to the dynamics of a constantly evolving international market.
|
The Lost City of Sanxingdui 52’ & 90’ Unifrance: At what point did you become involved at Terranoa on this international project, which is part of the strengthening of your partnership strategy in Asia? Isabelle Graziadey Isabelle Graziadey: This project perfectly illustrates the winning synergies between a French producer and a distributor in search of foreign partners and international sales to consolidate the budget. We committed to this film at a very early stage, with a substantial MG, convinced that it ticked all the boxes for a successful title. This enabled us to move quickly in search of international pre-financing: Its main selling points: - An unprecedented subject: an exceptionally rich excavation site in Sichuan, revealing a lost city which, over the past 30 years, has continued to provide new insights into this little-known kingdom of ancient China, thanks to the latest archaeological tools.
- Privileged access: a co-production between France 5 - Science Grand Format and CCTV guaranteeing privileged access to the site, to national television archives (including Sichuan TV), and to the best Chinese historians on the subject.
- Imagissime's renowned artistic and production team, experienced in the demands of co-production, both in terms of content and form.
These points, combined with our early involvement in the project, enabled us to bring our editorial eye to bear right from the writing stage, with a focus on the form – in particular the place of 2D and 3D animation. In this way, we deployed a financing strategy targeting the major documentary slots dedicated to the history of lost civilizations. What is your international distribution strategy for this program? I.G.: The project was pitched at Sunny Side 2024, enabling us to conclude six pre-buys with PBS/WNET, SVT, VIASAT, RTVE, Ceska TV, and Toute l'Histoire. Today, one year later, with just one month to go before delivery of the 52-minute international version, we're confident about future sales, even to those who don't have a pre-buy budget. With several collaborations already under our belt in recent years, our Chinese partners recognize Terranoa's expertise in securing international financing. We have also signed a new mandate for another history series co-produced with CCTV. The Lost City of Sanxingdui ©Imagissime - BKM - CCTV - France 5
Mary, Queen of Scots - Cracking the Code 52’ & 90’ How does this documentary illustrate the success of the synergy within Gedeon Media Group, for which you oversee distribution? I.G.: In this project, too, we combined the expertise of Gedeon and Terranoa. At Gedeon, I was involved in setting up the agreement with the BBC (via Lion TV) as English co-producer, as well as co-productions with ZDF, PBS/WNET, and pre-buys from SVT and SBS. Terranoa then took over the final pre-buys and sales (RTVE, SRC, VIASAT), providing a MG to consolidate the financing plan. This historical documentary borrows from the codes of fiction, using live action reconstructions. Does this choice reflect a strong trend in today's market? Yes, the choice occurred very early on in the script, due to the nature of the story. The film blends investigation and deciphering of the letters discovered two years ago with the story of Mary Stuart's eventful life, revealed in a new light. It was this dual approach that won over broadcasters. Mary, Queen of Scots - Cracking the Code ©Gedeon Programmes
Collisions: Life and Death from Outer Space 52’ With sales of over €50,000 in just one year, this program about space is a real international success. How do you explain this? I.G.: The success of films dealing with the great mysteries of the cosmos is undeniable when they combine the latest scientific knowledge with top-of-the-range VFX visualizations to popularize this science. It's a fascinating, fast-moving field, and this film offers a contrasting, highly educational account of the dual nature of these celestial bodies: both carriers of the first building blocks of life, and potentially destructive to the Earth, due to the risk of collision. How are the program's international sales going? I.G.: The film has been sold to ZDF, Nippon TV, SVT, RTVE, RSI, YLE, Ushuaia tv, Canal+ Polska, Ceska tv, ERT, Al Asharq, and others. Collisions: Life and Death from Outer Space ©Nomades - A Table Productions - Mélusine Productions
|
|
|
|
|
French short films tour the world: June 2025
|
A look back at the international distribution of French short films in June, at festivals supported by Unifrance. A month rich in selections and awards!
|
🏆 Numerous prizes were awarded: ➡️ At Animafest Zagreb in Croatia, French films won top honors: - Hurikán by Jan Saska received the Audience Award
- Scars We Love by Raphaël Jouzeau received a Grand Competition Short Film Special Mention
- Lonely Dog by Marta Reis Andrade received a Grand Competition Short Film Special Mention
- S The Wolf by Sameh Alaa received the Films for Youth Competition Special Mention
➡️ In Norway, at the Norwegian Short Film Festival (Grimstad): - Trash by multiple directors received the Youth Jury Honorable Mention
- Apocalypse by Benoit Méry received the Honorable Mention for Short Documentary
➡️ At the Tribeca Film Festival in New York: - Playing God by Matteo Burani won the Best Animated Short Award
➡️ At the Festival Internacional de Cine de Huesca in Spain, French films triumphed: - Volcelest by Éric Briche won the Animation International Danzante
- Death of an Actor by Lucas Tothe won the International Debut Danzante awarded by the Anselmo Pié Sopena Foundation
- Across the Waters by Viv Li received a Special Mention
- Playing God by Matteo Burani received a Youth Jury Special Mention
- The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević received an International Competition Special Mention and a Best Script Special Mention
- Berthe Is Dead But It's Okay by Sacha Trilles received a Special Mention in the Documentary Competition
- Noon, the Bread from Tehran by Philippe Aussel received a Special Mention in the Documentary Competition.
➡️ At the Short Shorts Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan, Joe Wieland and Finn Constantine won the Global Spotlight Award for their film Marion. ➡️ While at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, Chico by Enzo Lorenzo won Best LGBTQ+ Short. Hakim Atoui won two awards with his two films programmed at the festival: Blood Ties carried off a Best Comedy Short Special Mention, and Goodbye Sun took home a Best International Short Special Mention. ➡️ Last but not least, as always, French short animated films shone brightly at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival: - Night Boots by Pierre-Luc Granjon won the Cristal for a Short Film, Audience Award, and the André Martin Award for a French Short Film
- Zootrope by Léna Martinez won the Cristal for a Graduation Film
- Entre les jours by Martin Bonnin won the Jury Award for a Graduation Film
- Naive New Beaters & Star Feminine Band - Ye Kou Si Kuo Watch & Dance by Lola Lefèvre won the Cristal for a Commissioned Film
----- ✈️ The following people received travel funding: - Alice Gervat to present her film Someone Special at Tokyo Short Shorts
- Guil Sela to present his film Montsouris Park at Tokyo Short Shorts
- Benoit Méry to present his film Apocalypse at Tokyo Short Shorts
- Pablo Léridon to present his film Les Petits Monstres at the Tribeca Festival in New York
- Thibault Martin to present his film Belted Up at the Norwegian Short Film Festival (Grimstad)
- La Fille Renne to present her film Chasing Whales at the Norwegian Short Film Festival (Grimstad)
- Coralie Watanabe Prosper to present her film Kotowari 断り at the Palm Springs International Shortfest
- Linda Lô to present her film We Had Fun at the Palm Springs International Shortfest
- Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi to present her film After the Very End at the Palm Springs International Shortfest
- Marie Vieillevie to present her film The Path at the Palm Springs International Shortfest
 Alice Gervat au Festival Tokyo Short Shorts et La Fille Renne au Festival De Grimstad
All the selections, all the awards At the beginning of the month, the Krakow Film Festival included 14 French productions or co-productions in its International Competition: - Amelia Starlight by Laura Thomassaint
- Autokar by Sylwia Szkiłądź
- Clamor by Salomé Da Souza
- Comme si la terre les avait avalées by Natalia León
- If the Sun Drowned Into an Ocean of Clouds by Wissam Charaf
- Fatmé by Diala Al Hindaoui
- The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević
- The Exploding Girl by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel
- Ardent Other by Alice Brygo
- Last Snows by Sarah Henochsberg
- Luna Rossa by Olga Pärn and Priit Pärn
- An Orange from Jaffa by Mohammed Almughanni
- Wander to Wonder by Nina Gantz
- Wassupkaylee by Pepi Ginsberg
Virtual Reality - Oto's Planet by Gwenaël François
- Emperor by Marion Burger and Ilan Cohen
🇭🇷 At Animafest Zagreb, nearly 50 short films were selected in various categories: Grand Competition - Lonely Dog by Marta Reis Andrade
- Burattino e la balena by Roberto Catani
- Comme si la terre les avait avalées by Natalia León
- Father's Letters by Alexey Evstigneev
- Hurikán by Jan Saska
- Scars We Love by Raphaël Jouzeau
- Mealitancy by Marie Royer and Zinia Scorier
- Sisowath Quay by Stéphanie Lansaque and François Leroy
- Shadows by Rand Beiruty
National Competition - Baking With Boris by Maša Avramović
Student Film Competition - Jeanne et Jean Jean by Thanys Martin
- Entre les jours by Martin Bonnin
- Hic svnt dracones by Justin Fayard
- Sublime by Marie Heribel, Candice Yernau, Juliette Buysschaert, Camille Leroy, Joséphine Vandeville, Martin Laurent, and Lucas Foutrier
- Trash by Gregory Bouzid, Maxime Crançon, Robin Delaporte, Mattéo Durand, Romain Fleischer, Alexis Le Ral, Margaux Lutz, and Fanny Vecchie
Films for Children and Youth Competition - S The Wolf by Sameh Alaa
- My Teenage Blackout by Basile Khatir
- The Night Tunnel by Annechien Strouven
- De caillou à caillou by Charlotte Annereau
- Méditerranée (Juniore) by Clément Soulmagnon
- The Legend of the Hummingbird by Morgan Devos
- The Carp and the Child by Morgane Simon and Arnaud Demuynck
- Night Boots by Pierre-Luc Granjon
World Panorama - The Monkey's Paw by Kayu Leung
- Dark Globe by Donato Sansone
- Ordinary Life by Yoriko Mizushiri
Special Programs - Nube by Christian Arredondo Narváez and Diego Alonso Sánchez de la Barquera Estrada
- Žarko, You Will Spoil the Child! by Veljko Popović and Milivoj Popović
- Misérable Miracle by Ryo Orikasa
- Corn Man Origin Theory by Alexandre Louvenaz
- Polka-dot Boy by Sarina Nihei
- Astéréotypie "Du vélo à St-Malo, du kayak à St-Briac" by Fabian Dores Pais
- The Miracle by Nienke Deutz
Family Program - Nube by Christian Arredondo Narváez and Diego Alonso Sánchez de la Barquera Estrada
- Žarko, You Will Spoil the Child! by Veljko Popović and Milivoj Popović
- Night Boots by Pierre-Luc Granjon
- The Miracle by Nienke Deutz
- The Night Tunnel by Annechien Strouven
- The Carp and the Child by Morgane Simon and Arnaud Demuynck
- Baking With Boris by Maša Avramović
Masters of Animation - Cyclists by Veljko Popović
- Žarko, You Will Spoil the Child! by Veljko Popović and Milivoj Popović
- Luna Rossa by Olga Pärn and Priit Pärn
- Tram by Michaela Pavlátová
Theme: The World is On Edge - Blind Spot by Lotfi Achour
- Unsung Women by Julie Gavras and Mathieu Decarli
- Margarethe 89 by Lucas Malbrun
- Uncanny Valley by Paul Wenninger
The Audience Award was given to Hurikán by Jan Saska! The Grand Competition Jury awarded two Special Mentions to Lonely Dog by Marta Reis Andrade and Scars We Love by Raphaël Jouzeau S The Wolf by Sameh Alaa received the Films for Youth Competition Special Mention. Hurikán
🇺🇸 In New York, four French films were selected at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival: Short Films Official Selection - Pirateland by Stavros Petropoulos
- Les Petits Monstres by Pablo Léridon
- Black Tide by Kim Yip Tong
- Playing God by Matteo Burani
And Playing God by Matteo Burani won the Best Animated Short Award! Playing God Pablo Léridon, who received Unifrance support to attend the festival and present his film Les Petits Monstres, had this to say: 🗣️"If I had to sum up my experience in one sentence, I'd say Spike Lee came up to me after a screening to tell me he'd found my film very funny. Which, so far, is the highlight of my career!"
🇳🇴 Ten French films were presented at the Norwegian Short Film Festival (Grimstad): International Competition - An Orange from Jaffa by Mohammed Almughanni
- Apocalypse by Benoit Méry
- Nemesio Blues by Alice Brygo and Louise Hallou
- Belted Up by Thibault Martin
- Chasing Whales by La Fille Renne
- Her Dance by Julián Córdoba
- The Man of Shit by Sorel França
- Sixty-Seven Milliseconds by Galdric Fleury and fleuryfontaine
- Trash by Gregory Bouzid, Maxime Crançon, Robin Delaporte, Mattéo Durand, Romain Fleischer, Alexis Le Ral, Margaux Lutz, and Fanny Vecchie
- Volcelest by Éric Briche
The Youth Jury Honorable Mention was awarded to Trash by Gregory Bouzid, Maxime Crançon, Robin Delaporte, Mattéo Durand, Romain Fleischer, Alexis Le Ral, Margaux Lutz, and Fanny Vecchie And Apocalypse by Benoit Méry received the Honorable Mention for Short Documentary Apocalypse La Fille Renne, who traveled to the festival with the support of Unifrance to present her film Chasing Whales, reports on a wonderful experience: 🗣️ “The activities apart from the film screenings, such as the professional meetings, the 9am swim in the sea in cold water with breakfast, the sailboat tour of the Grimstad fjord, the end-of-festival party... everything was organized so that every participant could experience a good festival. To sum up, I found this festival to be very human, gentle, and focused on encounters, no matter our position in the film industry. It's terrific to still have these spaces for culture and art.” 
🇪🇸 At the Cinema Jove in Valence, eight films were selected: International Competition - Les Amours électriques by Alois Sandner Díaz
- After the Very End by Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi
- Percebes by Alexandra Ramires and Laura Gonçalves
- Blanche by Joanne Rakotoarisoa
- To Become Ghost by Olivier Calautti
- Furious by Thomas Vernay
- God Save the Queen by Charlène Brimaud
- Les Fleurs bleues by Louis Douillez
- Ni Dieu ni père by Paul Kermarec
And the Luna de València for Best Short Film was awarded to Amours électriques by Alois Sandner Díaz. Les Amours électriques
🇺🇸 On the other side of the Atlantic, the Palm Springs International ShortFest featured 32 French films: International Competition - Goodbye Sun by Hakim Atoui
- After the Very End by Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi
- Automagic by Ashok Vish
- Cartagène by Léa Berbach, Fabien Bernard, Lou Buisson, Paola Couturier, Marine La Villa, Théo Nouare, Marie Pacreau, and Abla Saigh
- Chico by Enzo Lorenzo
- Comme si la terre les avait avalées by Natalia León
- We Had Fun by Linda Lô
- Forever by Théo Djekou, Pierre Ferrari, Cyrine Jouini, Pauline Philippart, and Anissa Terrier
- Gioia by Nixon Singa
- Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites by Chheangkea
- Hun Tun by Magdalena Hejzlarová
- Hurikán by Jan Saska
- My Teenage Blackout by Basile Khatir
- The Path by Marie Vieillevie
- Kotowari 断り by Coralie Watanabe Prosper
- L'Avance by Djiby Kebe
- The Man of Shit by Sorel França
- The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević
- La Voix des sirènes by Gianluigi Toccafondo
- Le Petit et le Géant by Isabela Costa
- The Hunters by David Pinheiro Vicente
- Blood Ties by Hakim Atoui
- Against One Another by Badroudine Saïd Abdallah and Mehdi Meklat
- Mango by Joan Iyiola
- Mont Noir by Erika Haglund and Jean-Baptiste Peltier
- Black Tide by Kim Yip Tong
- Playing God by Matteo Burani
- Real by Rodrigue Huart
- Un été bleu by Juliette Ragot
- Volcelest by Éric Briche
- Wassupkaylee by Pepi Ginsberg
- Water Hazard by
Alexander David Among the many prizes awarded by the festival juries, three French short films were honored: Chico by Enzo Lorenzo received the Best LGBTQ+ Short. Hakim Atoui received two awards for his films programmed by the festival: Best Comedy Short Special Mention for Blood Ties and Best International Short Special Mention for Goodbye Sun. Bravo Hakim! Chico
🇯🇵 In Tokyo, the Short Shorts Film Festival presented 20 French films: International Competition - There is Fire by Thibault Leclercq and Simon Leclercq
- The Boy With White Skin by Simon Panay
- Marion by Joe Wieland and Finn Constantine
- Montsouris Park by Guil Sela
Asia and Japan Competition - Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites by Chheangkea
Non-fiction Competition - Apocalypse by Benoit Méry
Animation Competition - Someone Special by Alice Gervat
- Todos los futuros by Bárbara Cerro
- Flatastic by Alice Saey
- Playing God by Matteo Burani
- Sisowath Quay by Stéphanie Lansaque and François Leroy
- Shadows by Rand Beiruty
Special Programs - Find The Boy by Paulin.e Goasmat
- Human stuff by Quentin Montant
- The Great Annual party of the Creatures of the Moon by Francis Desharnais
- The Path Of Sounds by Tom Raijasse and David Nguyen
- Reven by Hugo Barbey, Victor Barreaud, Line Bossard, Chloé Hurard, Coralie Monnier, Mathilde Morin, Lèna Ripoche, and Tanguy Salaün
- Karatéka by Florence Fauquet
- Les Petits Monstres by Pablo Léridon
- Ya Hanouni by Lyna Tadount and Sofian Chouaib
Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine won the Global Spotlight Award for their film Marion. Marion Alice Gervat attended the festival to present her film Someone Special. A journey that resonated with her film: 🗣️ “I'm delighted to have taken part in this event, which has enabled my graduation film to travel and meet a whole new audience. Japanese animation is one of the great inspirations for my work, so I'm more than delighted with this kind of return to my roots. It's an experience that has enriched me and, I hope, enriched the audience just as much, thanks in particular to the Q&A session but also through the discussions I was able to have throughout the festival. Through my film, I hope to open up discussion on certain subjects, notably LGBT rights, which are far from being a given in Japan, and that also means positive LGBT representation – in my case in animation – at festivals of this scale.” 
🇪🇸 In Spain, 15 French films were selected at the Festival Internacional de Cine de Huesca: International Competition - Mon Fils by Romain Lafargue and Thibault Lafargue
- The Border by Daria Sliusarenko
- Across the Waters by Viv Li
- Antheor by Patrice Joseph Blanc
- Changing Rooms by Violette Gitton
- The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević
- The Slip-Up by Aurélien Laplace
- Society of Clothes by Dahee Jeong
- Death of an Actor by Ambroise Rateau
- Playing God by Matteo Burani
- Saint-Honoré by Mohamed Seddiki and Christopher Caulier
- Volcelest by Éric Briche
IberoAmericanCompetition - The Hunters by David Pinheiro Vicente
Documentary Competition - Berthe Is Dead But It's Okay by Sacha Trilles
- Noon, the Bread from Tehran by Roshan Roshanak
And French works were showered with awards: Animation International Danzante (for Best Animated Short): Volcelest by Éric Briche International Debut Danzante awarded by the Anselmo Pié Sopena Foundation: Death of an Actor by Ambroise Rateau International Competition Special Mention: Across the Waters by Viv Li and The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević Youth Jury Special Mention: Playing God by Matteo Burani Documentary Competition Special Mention: Berthe Is Dead But It's Okay by Sacha Trilles and Noon, the Bread from Tehran by Roshan Roshanak Best Script Special Mention: The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević Volcelest
🇫🇷 Last but not least, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival presented a broad selection of French productions and co-productions with 41 titles across the various strands: Short Films - Official Competition - Atomik Tour by Bruno Collet
- Burattino e la balena by Roberto Catani
- Carcassonne-Acapulco by Marjorie Caup and Olivier Héraud
- The Exploding Girl by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel
- Life With an Idiot by Theodore Ushev
- Le Magicien by Bogdan Muresanu
- Night Boots by Pierre-Luc Granjon
- Love by Réka Bucsi
- Luna Rossa by Olga Pärn and Priit Pärn
- My Brother, My Brother by Abdelrahman Dnewar and Saad Dnewar
- Ordinary Life by Yoriko Mizushiri
- Sisowath Quay by Stéphanie Lansaque and François Leroy
- Shadows by Rand Beiruty
- Signal by Mathilde Parquet and Emma Carré
- Sulaimani by Vinnie Ann Bose
Short Films - Perspective Competition Short Films - Young Audiences Competition - The Carp and the Child by Morgane Simon and Arnaud Demuynck
- The Night Tunnel by Annechien Strouven
- Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit
Short Films - Graduation Films Competition - Rayons by Jachym Bouzek
- De caillou à caillou by Charlotte Annereau
- Entre les jours by Martin Bonnin
- Sublime by Marie Heribel, Candice Yernau, Juliette Buysschaert, Camille Leroy, Joséphine Vandeville, Martin Laurent, and Lucas Foutrier
- Chair Cemetery by Alicia Lévy
- Zootrope by Léna Martinez
Short Films - Commissioned Films Competition - Arnold Turboust "Les Lettres de Krakovie" by Antoine Dahan, Clément Delaby, and Rayan Takhedmit
- Enedis "Les Oiseaux" by Jean-Charles Kerninon
- Ichon - Il faut by Williams and Vilain
- Melanie Martinez "Play Date" by Clavel Gris
- Mon Algorithme à moi by Balázs Turai and Benjamin Efrati
- Moving Back Moving Up by Lucile Leroy
- Naive New Beaters & Star Feminine Band - Ye Kou Si Kuo Watch & Dance by Lola Lefèvre
- Naruto x Oasis by Milli
- Pantagruel by Lucia Auge
- Starpets Teaser by Stéphane Berla
- Ubu roi by Romane Tulli Houzet
VR Competition - Impulse: Playing With Reality by Barry Gene Murphy and May Abdalla
- Ito Meikyu by Boris Labbé
- Jack & Flo by Amaury Campion
- Less Than 5gr of Saffron by Négar Motevalymeidanshah
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom by Kenichi Suzuki
Many French works received awards, led by Night Boots by Pierre-Luc Granjon, which won the Cristal for a Short Film, the Audience Award, and the André Martin Award! Zootrope by Léna Martinez won the Cristal for a Graduation film. The Jury Award for a Graduation Film went to Entre les jours by Martin Bonnin And the Cristal for a Commissioned Film was awarded to Naive New Beaters & Star Feminine Band - Ye Kou Si Kuo Watch & Dance by Lola Lefèvre
|
|
|
MyFrenchShort #31: "Olla"
|
Olla, originally from Eastern Europe, answers an ad on a dating site and moves in with Pierre and his elderly mother, who live in the French provinces. But domestic life takes an unexpected... and explosive turn. In Olla, actress Ariane Labed paints a vitriolic portrait of the domestic sphere in her acidic, subversive first short film, shot in Nevers. The film won three awards at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and has been shown worldwide, including at the Sundance Film Festival. To watch the film (with English subtitles), click on the image below 
|
|
|
|
MyFrenchShorts #32: "The Odyssey of Abou Sangaré"
|
Entirely imagined and produced by the young students as part of the Classe Image program – a national initiative to promote cinema education in priority schools – the film traces Abou Sangare's journey with creativity and attention to detail, using the stop-motion technique. Guided by filmmaker Simon Astié and sound engineer Gwenn Labarta, the students wrote, illustrated, and shot the film themselves. The Odyssey of Abou Sangaré was screened at the 16th Premiers Petits Plans festival in Angers, which honors young people and cinematic storytelling. To watch the film (with English subtitles), click on the image below 
|
|
|
|
Short French films out in force at the 31st Palm Springs International ShortFest
|
The 2025 selection brings together over 300 films from some sixty countries. While the United States leads the way in terms of the number of films programmed, France proudly occupies second place with 28 titles spread across the different strands. French shorts at the 31st Palm Springs International ShortFest: - Against One Another by Badroudine Saïd Abdallah and Mehdi Meklat
- Goodbye Sun by Hakim Atoui
- After the Very End by Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi
- Cartagène by Léa Berbach, Fabien Bernard, Lou Buisson, Paola Couturier, Marine La Villa, Théo Nouare, Marie Pacreau, and Abla Saigh
- Chico by Enzo Lorenzo
- Comme si la terre les avait avalées by Natalia León
- We Had Fun by Linda Lô
- Forever by Théo Djekou, Pierre Ferrari, Cyrine Jouini, Pauline Philippart, and Anissa Terrier
- Gioia by Nixon Singa
- Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites by Chheangkea
- Hun Tun by Magdalena Hejzlarová
- Hurikán by Jan Saska
- My Teenage Blackout by Basile Khatir
- The Path by Marie Vieillevie
- Kotowari 断り by Coralie Watanabe Prosper
- L'Avance by Djiby Kebe
- The Man of Shit by Sorel França
- The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent by Nebojša Slijepčević
- La Voix des sirènes by Gianluigi Toccafondo
- Le Petit et le Géant by Isabela Costa
- Blood Ties by Hakim Atoui
- Mont Noir by Erika Haglund and Jean-Baptiste Peltier
- Black Tide by Kim Yip Tong
- Playing God by Matteo Burani
- Real by Rodrigue Huart
- Un été bleu by Juliette Ragot
- Volcelest by Éric Briche
- Wassupkaylee by Pepi Ginsberg
Unifrance, partner of the festival, is this year supporting a fine French delegation to attend the festival: - Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi for After the Very End
- Linda Lô for We Had Fun
- Marie Vieillevie for The Path
- Coralie Watanabe Prosper for Kotowari 断り
- Nixon Singa for Gioia
With each screening followed by a Q&A session, all the filmmakers have the opportunity to tell the audience about their films' behind-the-scenes creative process. More than just a festival, ShortFest is an event where filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals come together to celebrate the art of short film. The ShortFest Forum offers classes, roundtables, and networking events where filmmakers can get advice from the industry's leading experts. Whether you're here to showcase your work, unearth new talent, or simply enjoy some incredible films, ShortFest is where relationships are forged and careers are built.
|
|
|
|
Short film: the Oscars 2026 race is on!
|
As of now, if you have one or more short films eligible for the Oscars, Unifrance is delighted to provide you with an exclusive document covering the history, issues, procedures, and workings of the Academy. We commissioned this document, a veritable bible for getting started in the famous “Oscar race,” from Benoît Berthe Siward, whose company The Animation Showcase accompanies producers and their animated shorts through the process every year. A non-downloadable link can be sent to you as of now, on request to the following contact: courtmetrage@unifrance.org In September, for short films shortlisted at the Oscars, Unifrance will organize a meeting with Benoit Berthe Siward to answer your questions, fine-tune your approach, and benefit from his experience. This meeting will be completed by a presentation of Unifrance's support methods at key stages of the campaign, from shortlist to nomination. For more information, you can contact Unifrance's short film service.
|
|
|
|
International box office results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International press roundup
|
|
|
International press roundup: June 2025
|
What does the international press have to say about our cinema and audiovisual works? Here's a broad overview of the articles we've collected for the month of June 2025.
|
On the audiovisual front: Women at War, "the French series that has conquered the world," arrives in Greece, Digital TV Info reports. ➡️ Read the article online  Drama Quarterly published an interview with Tatiana-Margaux Bonhomme, screenwriter of A Night to Live. ➡️ Read the article online Terranoa will present 30 hours of new content at Sunny Side 2025, Señal News announced. ➡️ Read the article online Drugged and Abused: No More Shame, the documentary about the Pélicot case, has been sold to more than a 100 territories, we could read on C21 Media. ➡️ Read the article online  On Deadline we learnt that world rights to Pil have been acquired by Folivari. ➡️ Read the article online And again on Señal News, it was announced that Season 2 of Edmond and Lucy is slated for broadcast on December 26 on France Télévisions. ➡️ Read the article online
On the festival and awards front: Animation Magazine threw the spotlight on French animation, which reaped awards at the latest Annecy International Animation Film Festival. ➡️ Read the article online  And in Spain, Kinótico reported on the succes of the film That Summer in Paris at the Cinema Jove Festival in Valencia. ➡️ Read the article online 
And in foreign movie theaters… In Europe In Lithuania, LRT wrote about The Divine Sarah Bernhardt: "A theatre legend ahead of her time." ➡️ Read the article online  In Romania, Emmanuel Courcol declared, in an interview for Cinemagia magazine, published for the release of The Marching Band: "We are all puppets in the hands of fate." ➡️ Read the article online In Sweden, the Göteborgs Posten published an interview with Frédéric Farrucci about The Mohican, "a drama about gangsters in an exploited Corsica." ➡️ Read the article online  In Latin America El Noticiero Digital announced the release of the film Out of Season in Argentina. ➡️ Read the article online "A powerful and raw film" is how No Somos Nonos described the film Wild Diamond, which released in Mexico. ➡️ Read the article online
|
|
|
|