The American French Film Festival (TAFFF), which was forced to cancel its 2023 edition due to the Hollywood strikes, has unveiled its 2024 dates.
The Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF), which oversees the event (formerly known as Colcoa), said the festival would return to the Directors Guild Of America Theater from October 29 to November 3.
“It is with great excitement that we can look forward to hosting The American French Film Festival this year,” said Cécile Rap-Veber, President of the Franco-American Cultural Fund and CEO of partner body Sacem.
“2023 was a very challenging year for the film and television business because of the strikes, but now we can move forward and celebrate the talent and films that this festival showcases every year.”
The event, which is billed as the largest festival devoted to French cinema taking place in the U.S., was create in 1996.
Over the years, it has earned the reputation for being a launchpad for French films, filmmakers and actors in America.
In 2022, films like Final Cut (Kino Lorber), A Family For 1640 Days (Distrib Films US) and The Super 8 Years (Kino Lorber) were picked up for distribution after screening at the festival, while 43 filmmakers had their films’ US, international or world premieres at the edition.
Five-time Oscar nominated film Anatomy of a Fall was among the 23 other films, 10 series, four TV movies, and 17 short films selected for the 2023 program prior to its cancellation.
“TAFFF has become an increasingly important international event for French filmmakers and talent to gain exposure in the Hollywood film community,” notes François Truffart, Executive Producer and Programmer, TAFFF.
“By providing opportunities for international sales companies and US distributors – including digital platforms – to convene and screen French-language films and series before the start of the Awards Season is pivotal to their overall sales and marketing strategies.”
TAFFF will also continue its educational program which provides 3,000 high school students with the opportunity to attend a screening and discussion with filmmakers at the DGA Theater.
“At a time when everyone is on their phones and in-person interactions are declining, The American French Film Festival Education Program inspires students to truly engage,” said Anouchka van Riel, Deputy Director of TAFFF.
“Through our screenings and Q&As with French actors and filmmakers at the DGA Theater, as well as the in-class materials we develop with educators, this effective annual program continues to encourage thoughtful discussion and nurture a new generation of French film enthusiasts.”
The American French Film Festival was created and is produced by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a collaboration between the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Motion Picture Association (MPA), France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW).
The event is also supported by Unifrance, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France’s Society of Authors, Directors and Producers (l’ARP), Air Tahiti Nui, ELMA, Champagne Fleur de Miraval, L’Oréal, TV5 Monde, and Variety. The American French Film Festival Education Program is supported by ELMA.
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