Festivals - The American French Film Festival 2024: A Closing Ceremony at SACEM’s Paris Headquarters

By Mulder, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Sacem, 08 november 2024

Today, the prestigious SACEM headquarters in Neuilly Sur Seine hosted the closing ceremony of the 28th American French Film Festival (TAFFF), a beloved celebration of Franco-American cinematic exchange. After a challenging year marked by industry-wide strikes that canceled the previous edition, TAFFF returned with renewed vigor and packed theaters. This year’s festival, running from October 29 to November 3 at the Director’s Guild of America theater complex in Los Angeles, saw an impressive 25% increase in attendance from the last held edition in 2022. Over 60 films and series were showcased, of which 59 competed for nine coveted awards, spanning categories in cinema, television, documentary, and short film.

At today’s closing event, members of the Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF) and the TAFFF Program Committee presented awards honoring creative brilliance and cultural storytelling. The FACF, a unique collaboration among the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Motion Picture Association (MPA), France’s SACEM, and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), underpins the festival's mission to bridge American and French film industries. It is further supported by notable sponsors such as Air Tahiti Nui, Netflix, L’Oréal, and Champagne Louis Roederer, with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Unifrance offering additional backing.

The top prize, the Audience Award for Best Film, was claimed by The Marching Band (En Fanfare), a film directed by Emmanuel Courcol, who co-wrote it with Irène Muscari. With an evocative score by Michel Petrossian and global sales managed by Playtime, this film resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting the festival's commitment to showcasing impactful, universally relatable stories.

The Critics' Award, presented by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), went to Souleyman’s Story (L’Histoire de Souleyman), directed by Boris Lojkine and written in collaboration with Delphine Agut. Pyramid International oversees its international sales, helping to bring Lojkine’s touching narrative to global audiences. The film captivated critics with its exploration of resilience and identity, themes that transcended cultural boundaries.

In the category for new filmmakers, Holy Cow (Vingt Dieux) directed by Louise Courvoisier received the First Film Award. Co-written with Théo Abadie and accompanied by an original score by Charlie and Linda Lavoisier, the film’s recognition is a promising nod to Courvoisier’s burgeoning talent. This cinematic debut, distributed internationally by Pyramide International, will reach U.S. audiences through Zeitgeist Films, in association with Kino Lorber, as the festival continues to spotlight new voices in film.

The Best Documentary Film Award celebrated Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand (Il état une fois Michel Legrand), directed by David Hertzog Dessites, a documentary honoring the legacy of the famed French composer Michel Legrand. Co-written with Willy Duraffourg, and featuring Legrand's music, the film is set for international release by Mediawan Rights. This award underscores TAFFF’s commitment to documentaries that preserve and celebrate the cultural contributions of creative legends.

A special recognition from American students, the American Students Award, was bestowed upon The Count of Monte Cristo (Le Comte de Monte Cristo) by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre De La Patellière. Their adaptation of the timeless classic, accompanied by Jérôme Rebotier's score, captivated younger audiences, an essential demographic for future cinematic appreciation. Pathé Films handles international distribution, with Samuel Goldwyn representing the film in the U.S., ensuring it reaches a wide audience.

In the television categories, The Blissful (Les Enchantés), directed and written by Stanislas Carré de Malberg with co-writer Raphaële Moussafir, received the Best TV Movie Award. With a moving score by Robin Court and global distribution through Film & Picture, this work showcased the power of storytelling on the small screen.

The Audience Award for Best TV Series was presented to Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, an imaginative, compelling look into the life of the iconic fashion designer. Created by Isaure Pisani-Ferry and Jennifer Have, and directed by Jérôme Salle and Audrey Estrougo, the series combines the talents of writers Dominique Baumard and Nathalie Hertzberg with the musical artistry of Sacha and Evgeni Galperine. With Disney+/Hulu overseeing U.S. distribution, the series is poised for broad international appeal.

The Jury Series Award celebrated Samber (Sambre), a gripping drama created and written by Alice Géraud, Marc Herpoux, and Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, with direction by de Lestrade. Scored by Raf Keunen and distributed by Federation Studios, this series represented the juried choice for its powerful narrative and nuanced storytelling.

The Short Film Award went to Suzanne, a film written and directed by Émilie de Monsabert, with an original score by Santiago Dolan. Distributed by Manifest, this award not only celebrates de Monsabert’s narrative craft but also highlights TAFFF’s encouragement of short-form storytelling, a medium often marked by innovation and conciseness.

At the ceremony, TAFFF’s director and programmer François Truffart spoke to the festival’s mission: “These awards are a powerful reflection of the diversity within our selection, and they represent the tastes of our audiences and juries. Every film and series presented was well received, and competition was fierce. We are thrilled to see that both mainstream and arthouse films and series are recognized. We hope these awards encourage distributors to bring these exceptional works to wider audiences, particularly those without U.S. representation.” Truffart’s remarks underscored the festival’s role as an advocate for French and American film culture.

Cecile Rap-Veber, President of the Franco-American Cultural Fund and CEO of SACEM, also reflected on the festival’s importance: “The success of this year’s festival, especially with increased attendance, solidifies TAFFF as a vital event for both professionals and the general public in Hollywood. TAFFF provides a unique platform for distributors and sales companies in North America. This year’s industry sessions, devoted to composers, writers, directors, and producers, added a new layer of relevance to the festival and drew upon the DNA of the fund’s members.”

The industry sessions, under the TAFFF Industry Program, offered invaluable opportunities for networking and collaboration, particularly for up-and-coming talent and independent filmmakers looking to connect with industry giants.

This year’s TAFFF edition was supported by a distinguished list of sponsors and partners, emphasizing the collaborative spirit behind its mission. Key sponsors included Air Tahiti Nui, the official sponsor of TAFFF; ELMA, L’Oréal, Champagne Louis Roederer, Variety, and Netflix, which supported the opening night. Additional support came from France Télévisions, The Hollywood Reporter, LAist 89.3, AmaWaterways, and many more, ensuring the festival’s vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.

Celebrating its 28th year, TAFFF has evolved into a key annual event for both Hollywood and French cinema, promoting cross-cultural cinematic dialogue. It provides a vital platform for films and series of all genres and scales, from indie gems to studio-backed blockbusters. Every year, the festival’s increasing attendance and enthusiastic reception solidify its standing as a must-attend event for industry insiders and cinema lovers alike.

As the curtain closes on another successful edition, the American French Film Festival not only celebrates the past year’s achievements in Franco-American film but also looks to the future, nurturing new voices and fostering lasting connections within the global film community.

With applause and gratitude for another year of cinematic excellence, TAFFF has once again underscored its role in bringing exceptional French and American narratives to new horizons, cementing its legacy as a beacon of cultural collaboration.

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Photos and videos : Sabine Chevrier / Mulderville

(Source : press release)