12th French Film Festival

June 7 to 17 in Shangri-La Plaza, Manila

June 22 to 24 in Cebu in Ayala Center, Cebu

The French Film Festival is one of the most popular events of the French Spring in Manila. Because cinema is a passion shared by the Filipinos and the French, it is an art form that provides an ideal vehicle for the promotion of understanding between cultures, through moving images on the silver screen.

On its twelfth year, the French Film Festival offers the Filipino movie-goers a selection of France’s contemporary film production, from drama to action thriller to comedy, and animation. The opening film, OSS 117, is a classic French parody of James Bond, which has become one of the biggest blockbusters in recent years. A second edition is currently under production.

Meanwhile, a few local film distributors have invested in French films. Three titles: Arthur and the Invisibles, Perfume: Story of a Murderer (Pioneer Films), and March of the Penguins (Unitel) have been acquired for commercial distribution in the Philippines.

The French Embassy in the Philippines has a mandate not limited to the promotion of French culture in the country, but rather focused on the support to the development of local cinema by the participation of Filipino films in festivals in France. To highlight the cooperation projects with Filipino directors, the Festival is paying tribute to Philippine cinema, on June 12, 2007, by the projection of the films of “Putot” by Jeck Cogama which was included in the official selection of  the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, as well as a retrospective of the films of Brillante Mendoza, the Filipino representative in the Directors’ Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival 2007.

Also, the French Film Festival is introducing an educational component for the benefit of film students, enthusiasts and young independent filmmakers. The French Embassy has invited Lionel Bailliu, director of “Fair Play” to introduce his film and conduct a Master class in Directing, in cooperation with the University of the Philippines Film Institute. Mr. Bailliu will also accompany his film to Cebu and conduct a seminar at the International Film and Television Academy of Bigfoot Entertainment.

The 12th French Film Festival is organized by:

the French Embassy in the Philippines and Alliance Française de Manille

In cooperation with

Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Center Cebu, the Arts Council of Cebu

And with the generous support of sponsors:

Globe, TOTAL, SDV, Asiatype, Sofitel Philippine Plaza,

and media partners:

the Philippine STAR, Cinema One, the Radio Partners, ABS-CBN Publishing

For inquiries, pls. call Martin Macalintal, Audiovisual Attaché, French Embassy, 857-6900

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