Sydney
07.03 – 30.03
Melbourne
08.03 – 30.03
Canberra
09.03 – 04.04
Perth
15.03 – 05.04
Brisbane
16.03 – 09.04
Adelaide
30.03 – 23.04
Hobart
30.03 – 08.04
FESTIVAL REPORT
CONTENTS
04 Merci 05
A Look inside the French Film Industry
07
Key Information
08
Festival Highlights
09
Preview Screenings, Opening Nights and Closing Nights
10 Line-up 12
Special Events
14
Sponsorship Opportunities
16 Collateral 24
Online Communication
27
Younger viewers
28 Publicity 32 Statistics 35 Testimonials 36 Sponsors 37
Participating Alliances Franรงaises & Cinemas
39 Acknowledgements
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3
Canada 150 in Melbourne
Rebecca Zlotowski
MERCI 174,669 Attendees
Morgane Blondel
4
Opening Night in Brisbane
A LOOK INSIDE THE FRENCH FILM INDUSTRY
As Festival Manager of the Alliance Française French Film Festival, I am proud to announce yet another successful chapter in celebrating French Film within Australia. The 28th showing of the Festival showcased a selection of the most applauded French films in the last two years. Respectively, 45 captivating and stimulating films were handpicked and screened throughout 2,500 plus sessions nationwide. Outstandingly, more than 174,500 cinema tickets were sold among the 20 participating cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Hobart combined. The historical accomplishment of the Alliance Française French Film Festival can be attributed to the dedication of strong organisations and passionate individuals. This milestone within the Australian cultural calendar is brought by the Alliance Française in association with the Embassy of France in Australia and in partnership with Palace Cinemas. This year we also welcomed the support of Renault, joining a team of valuable Festival sponsors as a ‘Presenting Sponsor’. The prosperity of this event continues to be a direct link to its long-term benefactors and we thank you for this. The success of the Alliance Française French Film Festival is a great representation of affection for French culture within the Australian community. This wonderful support from Festival goers alike is what keeps the Festival so strong, making it one of the most awaited celebrations of foreign film in Australia. I would like to extend a big “Merci” to all our supporters that continue to make this event so special.
The French film industry is one of the most dynamic in the world, with more than 300 films produced yearly, including coproductions and documentaries. One of the main characteristics of French cinema is its diversity of genres. The 2017 line-up was particularly representative of this variety with a consistent balance between comedies, dramas, true stories, biopics, period films, social films, documentaries, big productions and arthouse projects, new talents and famous names, French and foreign actors and filmmakers. More than ever, thanks to an excellent and fruitful collaboration with our Australian partners, we could offer the best French cinema produced in 2016 and 2017 which received an excellent response from the public. Though edgier and demanding (as the industry itself), the 2017 line-up attracted a bigger audience than the previous year. Among the top 10 films of the 2017 box office, only one was a comedy. Counting films like Things to Come, The Odyssey, It’s Only the End of the World, Monsieur Chocolat, Planetarium, A Bag of Marbles and From the Land of the Moon among the top 15, shows that the Alliance Française French Film Festival audience is ready for a variety of films and for historical and intellectual substance to better understand our times. Along with our partners, we have to maintain high demands for the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2018. It is now obvious that Festival patrons want to be both entertained and challenged.
MORGANE BLONDEL National Festival Manager
PHILIPPE PLATEL Festival Artistic Director
Closing Night in Brisbane
Opening Night in Sydney
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KEY INFORMATION AND NUMBERS
28th edition 7 week duration
174,669
cinema seats filled in 2017 Highest record of admissions so far
45 films in 20 cinemas for 2,597 screenings. The audience was
78% Australian 74% Female
17% under 30 y.o. 34% 31-50 y.o. 48% 50+ y.o. Philippe Platel and Rebecca Zlotowski
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Opening Night in Brisbane
Opening Night in Sydney
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
OPENING NIGHTS
This year the Festival had the pleasure to host 3 guests who were a true representation of the spirit of the 2017 edition.
The 28th edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival successively travelled to 7 cities, where it was launched with glamourous Opening Nights, celebrating a vibrant and daring biopic based on Jacques-Yves Cousteau, The Odyssey. Overall, nationally, more than 2,800 patrons joined in these celebrations.
Emmanuelle Bercot (director of 150 Milligrams and Standing Tall) and Rebecca Zlotowski (director of Planetarium) perfectly embody a new wave of female directors, who were highly represented in the line-up with 17 films directed by women. Thanks to a very fruitful partnership with Unifrance, the Festival had the chance to welcome them in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. These stopovers were a fabulous opportunity to strengthen the high quality image of the Festival among the audience and among sponsors and partners as well as media partners. Rebecca Zlotowski ran a master class in the premises of one of Brisbane’s local partner, Griffith Film School. She had a public conversation with journalist Philippa Hawker at the ACMI in Melbourne, enhancing the relationship with this major institution of cinema. Both Rebecca Zlotowski and Emmanuelle Bercot were given the opportunity to promote their films through additional interviews and special screenings. Altogether they gave more than 20 major interviews resulting in a positive effect on the ticketing. We can estimate at 2 to 3 times the leverage of their visit on ticket sales for their films. We also had the pleasure to host singer and actress Inna Modja and her team in Sydney. She was promoting her film Wùlu and gave two special performances in Sydney, one for the Opening Night and one for a special screening of Wùlu. ABC Radio invited her on their peak time morning program for a live interview and a song with Wendy Harmer.
In Sydney, the Festival was honoured by the attendance of two Special Guests, Inna Modja and Rebecca Zlotowski whose film Planetarium was presented at Palace Verona. The 300 Festival guests first attended the Gala at the National Art School, where the Opening Night pre-party was held.
PREVIEW SCREENINGS At the beginning of February 2017, the Alliance Française French Film Festival presented its 2017 edition and outstanding line-up to more than 800 journalists and sponsors in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. This year, the films chosen from the selection for these special preview screenings were The Dancer, From the Land of the Moon and Saint Amour.
In Melbourne, 705 spectators celebrated the opening of the Festival at the magnificent Astor Theatre followed by a fantastic Gala on site. To launch the Festival, Canberra hosted an outstanding after-party attended by 420 guests at the Palace Electric Cinema. In Brisbane, 550 patrons enjoyed the Opening Night at Palace Barracks for the first time, and welcome the first event of the Festival: an elegant French inspired cocktail party. Cinema Paradiso in Perth welcomed the Opening Night screening. The evening continued with an after-party at Connections Night Club for 440 patrons. Adelaide launched the Festival at Palace Nova Cinemas where 320 guests were captivated by a mesmerising Opening Night party. The Opening Night in Hobart launched 9 days of French cinema at the State Cinema.
CLOSING NIGHTS For the Closing Night, the Alliance Française French Film Festival innovatively screened a light-hearted and popular comedy instead of the traditional classic film. And what a success! A Bun in the Oven’s screenings were almost all sold out with 2,450 nationwide cinema-goers joining us to close the Festival.
Overall, the presence of guests from France was a great asset and helped reach new medias, while reinforcing the identity of the Festival. Left to right: Philippe Platel, Rebecca Zlotowski, Jean-Baptiste Milcamps
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LINE-UP
MOST POPULAR FILMS RANKING BASED ON TOTAL ADMISSIONS
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
150 Milligrams A Bag of Marbles A Bun in the Oven A Journey Through French Cinema A Kid A Woman’s Life Adama Being 17 Daguerrotype Elementary Eternity Farewell, My Queen From the Land of the Moon Heal the Living In Bed with Victoria It’s Only the End of the World Just to Be Sure Kalinka Keeper Lost in Paris Max & Leon Mercenary Moka Monsieur Chocolat Mozart’s Sister Ogres One Man and His Cow Penny Pincher! Planetarium Polina Saint Amour Slack Bay Souvenir Standing Tall The Country Doctor The Dancer The First, the Last The Innocents The Midwife The Odyssey The Stopover The Unknown Girl Things to Come Tomorrow Wùlu
La fille de Brest Un sac de billes Le petit locataire Voyage à travers le cinéma français Le fils de Jean Une vie Adama Quand on à 17 ans Le secret de la chambre noire Primaire Éternité Les Adieux à la Reine Mal de pierres Réparer les vivants Victoria Juste la fin du monde Ôtez-moi d’un doute Au nom de ma fille Keeper Paris pieds nus La folle histoire de Max et Léon Mercenaire Moka Chocolat Nannerl, la soeur de Mozart Les ogres La vache Radin ! Planetarium Polina, danser sa vie Saint Amour Ma loute Souvenir La tête haute Médecin de campagne La danseuse Les premiers, les derniers Les innocentes Sage femme L’Odyssée Voir du pays La fille inconnue L’avenir Demain Wùlu
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The Odyssey 13,699 spectators
6
The Midwife 7,289 spectators
Things to Come 11,213 spectators
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Just to Be Sure 7,202 spectators
3
A Bag of Marbles 11,079 spectators
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Monsieur Chocolat 6,714 spectators
4
Penny Pincher! 7,917 spectators
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It’s Only the End of the World 6,531 spectators
5
The Dancer 7,633 spectators
10
From the Land of the Moon 6,465 spectators
RANKING BASED ON AVERAGE ADMISSIONS 1
A Bun in the Oven 365 spectators
6
Moka 104 spectators
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2
One Man and His Cow 183 spectators
7
A Bag of Marbles 102 spectators
3
Lost in Paris 147 spectators
8
The Odyssey 99 spectators
4
Mozart’s Sister 117 spectators
9
Things to Come 99 spectators
5
Souvenir 109 spectators
10
Polina 96 spectators
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Inna Modja performing before a screening of Wùlu
SPECIAL EVENTS In addition to the national sessions announced, the Festival featured some themed special events, film introductions, Q&As and live performances.
Ladies’ Night in Brisbane before a screening of The Dancer
MARCH 8 – PALACE NORTON STREET, SYDNEY
MARCH 23 – LUNA ON SX, PERTH
For the first special event in Sydney, actress-singer Inna Modja – considered one of the most important Malian contemporary artists – brought her unique style for a special performance at the Festival before a screening of Wùlu.
Screening in partnership with the Conservation Council of Western Australia, the Special Event “Reinvent Tomorrow” brought a new vision on the environmental issues of our time with the screening of the awardwinning film Tomorrow.
MARCH 9 – HAYDEN ORPHEUM CREMORNE, SYDNEY
MARCH 23 – PALACE ELECTRIC CINEMA, CANBERRA
Followed by a Q&A with Mark Ledbury, professor of Art History at the University of Sydney, this Special Event revisited the beauty of Versailles with the screening of Farewell, my Queen. This year, the Festival dedicated a category of its line-up to Versailles, in line with the sumptuous exhibition, Treasures from the Palace, hosted by the National Gallery of Australia.
Canberra, as well as other Festival cities, gave its audience the opportunity to travel through the French countryside with a fine selection of saucisson, pâté, cheese and wine, in line with the screening of the road trip comedy One Man and His Cow. This Special Event was presented by the Canberra Business Chamber. above: Pre-screening entertainment before The Dancer in Brisbane; below: Special Event for One Man and His Cow, Brisbane
above: Taste of France in Melbourne; below: Q&A following a screening of Farewell, My Queen at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
MARCH 14 – PALACE WESTGARTH, MELBOURNE
MARCH 24 – PALACE CENTRO, BRISBANE
Melbourne hosted a series of Q&As in participation with the ACMI and the University of Melbourne. The film from the 2016 Official Selection in Cannes, The Unknown Girl, was followed by a Q&A with James Hewison about “The air we breathe: The Dardenne Brothers’ universe of The Unknown Girl”.
In Brisbane, the attendees of the Ladies Night entered the glamorous world of Dance with French catering and a glass of sparkling wine. The Dancer was screened and the audience enjoyed pre-screening entertainment.
MARCH 15 – KINO CINEMAS, MELBOURNE Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation and presented by the Consulate General of Canada, this Special Event brought A Kid to the big screen in different cities hosting the Festival including Melbourne.
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APRIL 13 – PALACE NOVA CINEMAS, ADELAIDE Adelaide hosted a Special Event taking patrons on a trip to one of the most popular tourist destinations of France – Brittany. The audience enjoyed a crepe and a glass of cider before watching Just to Be Sure, one of the World Premiered films of the Festival.
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
PRIVATE SCREENINGS
The Festival would not take place without the support of sponsors and partners.
EXPOSURE IN VENUES AND CINEMAS
Polyglot’s private screening
BNP Paribas’ private screening
BUY TICKETS
SEE THE SCHEDULE PROMOTIONS AND GIVEAWAYS
Top 10 French movies to stream at SBS On Demand
Transitions ad in cinemas
Avène & Klorane pull-up banner
Can't get enough of the Alliance Française French Film Festival? Curate your own festival at home with these must-see French movies streaming at SBS On Demand More info here
PRODUCT ACTIVATIONS MONDAY 20 MARCH - SUNDAY 26 MARCH BUY TICKETS Join us at one of our many Special Events and Q&As and enjoy the best and latest of French cinema.
Club Med, Facebook post
SEE THE SCHEDULE In Motion for the Planet - Q&A TOMORROW Get a chance to win your stay with every online purchase of 6 l'Escalier Merlot valued at $99 Top 10 French movies to stream at SBS On Demand Valid until 30th June 2017
Can't get enough of the Alliance Française French Film Festival? More info here Curate your own festival at home with these must-see French movies streaming at SBS On Demand More info here
M O D E R N F R E N C H S T Y L E WITH EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY A N D S UP E R B T E C H N O L O G Y.
A
Come and discuss the environmental issues of our time with a glass of French wine and crudités. AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Amandine Denis, Head of Research at ClimateWorks Australia
Renault Koleos, Opening Night Sydney
Monday 20 March Palace Westgarth
Directed by
PHILIPPE LIORET
Starring
COOKWARE
S MAR T APPLIANC ES
6.30pm Reception 7.00pm Tomorrow + Q&A BUY TICKETS
Pierre Deladonchamps Gabriel Arcand Timothé Vom Dorp Catherine de Léan LI NEN C AR E
‘A finely chiselled family drama that is at once new and familiar, immersive and deeply poignant.’ The Hollywood Reporter
Get a chance to win your stay with every online purchase of 6 l'Escalier Merlot valued at $99
L’Escalier du Ciel by Bordeaux & Beyond
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Bistrot Gavroche food hamper, Ladies’ Night Sydney
Franck Provost gift bags, Ladies’ Night Sydney
Bordeaux & Beyond, article in newsletter
Fr D w aw fa (W
In w p b w H fo b th h co Q
A th th em
Valid until 30th June 2017 More info here
D
tefal.com.au
En
Tefal, ad in the Programme
VOLUNTEER WITH US | CONTACT US
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COLLATERAL NATIONAL POSTER
PROGRAMME
700mm x 1000mm
A6 Booklet
Nationally displayed, the posters are displayed in all participating Alliances and cinemas from the beginning of the year. They are distributed to the national sponsors and all cultural partners. National Sponsors only Qty: 380
80 page programmes distributed to the Alliances and Palace Cinemas’ customers, cultural partners and other key locations. The programmes have a section that is specific to each city indicating special events and screening schedules. National & local sponsors Qty: 140,000
OPENING NIGHT INVITATION Electronic Invitation
National and local sponsors Qty: 1,200
LOCAL POSTER A3 For the local posters, the design is edited to be distributed in each city. They are distributed to local sponsors and partners and are also displayed in cafés, restaurants and cultural spaces.
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
COMPLIMENTARY PASSES Please present this pass at the box office to receive two tickets for the price of one full priced adult ticket. Valid at any Festival session of your choice at the listed venues.* Please check newspapers or online for session details.
Double Passes
National and local sponsors Qty: 2,250
National & local sponsors Quantity: 4,370
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
Sydney 07.03-30.03 Chauvel Cinema | Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace | Palace Norton Street | Palace Verona
2017
Melbourne 08.03-30.03 Palace Balwyn | Palace Brighton Bay | Palace Cinema Como | Kino Cinemas | Palace Westgarth | The Astor Theatre
Two for One Passes
Canberra 09.03-04.04 Palace Electric Cinema
National & local sponsors Qty: 1,730
Perth 15.03-05.04 Cinema Paradiso | Luna on SX | Windsor Cinema
2017
Brisbane 16.03-09.04 Palace Barracks Cinemas | Palace Centro Cinemas Adelaide 30.03-23.04 Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas *Conditions: Valid for one session only, subject to availability. Valid even with “no free tickets” listings. Not valid for opening/closing nights or any special events. Not transferable or redeemable for cash. Not valid on public holidays.
SEE IT IN STYLE
SEE IT IN STYLE SEE IT IN STYLE
SEE IT IN STYLE
SEE IT IN STYLE
SEE IT IN STYLE
P U R E B O TA N I C A L C A R E
TWO FOR ONE ,
complimentary pass
Local Sponsors
,
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ENVELOPE
Advertising
Used for all Festival correspondence. National sponsors Qty: 1,285
Tailored print and digital advertisements to match each publications’ demographic. Fashion Journal, Time Out, Le Petit Journal, FilmInk, QPAC, SBS, The Weekend Edition, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age. And outdoor advertisements with NonStop Media and Yarra Trams.
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
2017 SEE IT IN STYLE
SEE IT IN STYLE
P U R E B O TA N I C A L C A R E
,
FLYERS Used locally to highlight special events Qty: 5,800
SPECIAL EVENTS AT HAYDEN ORPHEUM PICTURE PALACE Opening Night
THE ODYSSEY L’ODYSSÉE Tuesday 07 March Set sail with us as the Festival opens with this mesmerising tale of Jacques Cousteau’s innovative discoveries. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and live music as we set the scene. 6:00pm Reception 6:30pm The Odyssey
An Evening in Versailles FAREWELL, MY QUEEN LES ADIEUX À LA REINE Thursday 09 March Enjoy a glass of wine and French delicacies before revisiting the beauty of Versailles with this award-winning film. 6:00pm Reception 6:30pm Farewell, My Queen + Q&A
Closing Night A BUN IN THE OVEN LE PETIT LOCATAIRE Thursday 30 March Sip a glass of sparkling and enjoy live entertainment as we close the Festival with this light-hearted comedy of midlife surprises. 6:00pm Reception 6:30pm A Bun in the Oven
Sydney 07.03 – 30.03
To browse the full Festival programme, session times and ticket prices, please visit affrenchfilmfestival.org.
STAY IN TOUCH /AFFrenchFilmFestivalAus
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@af_fff_aus
#af_fff_aus
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STREET BANNERS
CINEMA BANNERS
Sydney
Outside participating cinemas
110 banners 3 week campaign
Melbourne
41 banners + 3 signage hubs 3 week campaign
Perth
46 banners 2 week campaign
GIFT BAGS & T-SHIRTS GIFT BAGS
Distributed on Opening Nights and at Special Events. Qty: 4,200
T-SHIRTS
Worn by volunteers and staff Qty: 390
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CINEMA
TELEVISION
AF FFF 30’ TVC
SBS & SBS Viceland
Sponsor Ad Reel
World Movies
AF FFF 30’ TVC shown in a campaign of 238 spots during peak hours, broadcast nationally to 1,141,400 viewers. The advertisement was on air between 19 February and 29 April 2017.
The promotion of the Festival started on Boxing Day with a 30’ TVC screened in 19 cinema locations. The Festival trailer was played alongside other advertisements by the cinema.
Both 10 minute sponsor ad videos were played alternately and equally prior to the Festival screenings. The Sponsor ad reel features all national sponsors advertisements and local sponsors advertisement locally. No other advertisements were screened during the Festival.
AF FFF 30’ TVC shown in a campaign of 37 spots, broadcast nationally, 18.5 minutes on air between 19 February and 29 April 2017. Renault ad
Klorane ad
Aircalin ad
Alliance Française Australia ad
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Moments from the 2017 Festival trailer ad
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ONLINE COMMUNICATION The Festival website was a responsive design with an eyecatching and cinematic slideshow on the homepage for desktop and mobile. With a focus on clarity and functional navigation, the website displays information such as film synopses and photos, special events, schedules and information about the website competition.
WEBSITE PERFORMANCE & REPORT 15 DECEMBER 2016 – 15 APRIL 2017
360,000 visits +34% from 2016 195,400 unique visitors +31% from 2016 4.5 average number of pages viewed per visit 4.06 minutes – average visit duration
DATABASE & E-NEWS National and local e-newsletters with general and tailored information, such as Festival dates, films and events per city. 36,590 subscribers 9,916 website competition registrants 64 national and local newsletters 36% open rate
SOCIAL MEDIA Editorial content on the French Film Industry. Posts about Festival key dates, films and events Advertising campaign to optimise the reach and develop our database.
13,060 likes +13% from 2016 24th January post (Register to the AF FFF enews): 15,886 people reached 27th January post (Opening and Closing Nights announcement): 9,647 people reached 1st February post (Full line-up revealed): 42,084 people reached
1,577 followers
740 followers +64% from 2016
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CROSS PROMOTION
YOUNGER VIEWERS Reaching the audiences of tomorrow
Throughout the years, the Alliance Française French Film Festival and the six participating Alliances Françaises have built strong networks and developed partnerships, organising giveaways to spread the word about the Festival.
School screenings allow the Festival to promote the language education component of the Alliance Française. Teachers are offered 1 free ticket per 20 students and are provided with Teaching Kits to guide the discussion and study of the films.
1
Adama 2,849 Admissions, 28%
3
The Odyssey 2,798 Admissions, 27%
2
A Bag of Marbles 2,773 Admissions, 27%
4
Tales of the Night 1,107 Admissions, 11%
Total National Admissions: 10,629
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Bow by Zoë Croggon, 2013.
IA
RY
AA
RD
Edited by JESSICA MATTHEWS
BAZ
Untitled by William Eggleston, circa 1965–9.
From March
Melbourne’s NGV Festival of Photography showcases the likes of William Eggleston, Bill Henson and Zoë Croggon, while Who’s Afraid of Colour? — showing next door at Federation Square — spotlights indigenous Australian women artists; ngv.vic.gov.au.
March 1–19
Carla Zampatti, Dion Lee, Romance Was Born and macgraw are among the designers showing at the 2017 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival; vamff.com.au.
COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND DAINE SINGER, MELBOURNE © ZOË CROGGON; © EGGLESTON ARTISTIC TRUST; ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN; STEPHEN GOODENOUGH; © COURTESY OF KURUWARRIYINGATHI BIJARRB PAULA PAUL, MORNINGTON ISLAND ART, QLD & ALCASTON GALLERY, MELBOURNE
March 3–9
Adelaide Festival features artists from Rufus Wainwright to Rodin; adelaidefestival.com.au.
March 5
Martha Wainwright. Below: My Country by Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb Paula Paul, 2009.
Geena Davis discussing women in media. Julia Baird talking Queen Victoria. Lindy West on being hilarious and hated for it. Hear it all at Sydney’s All About Women festival; aaw.sydneyoperahouse.com.
March 7– April 23
See the latest films from Natalie Portman, Lily-Rose Depp and Marion Cotillard at the Alliance Française French Film Festival, showing around the country; affrenchfilmfestival.org.
March 8–24
Singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright is a must-see during her Australian tour; gaynorcrawford.com.
The Australian
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Shigeru Ban’s Transitional Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand.
PUBLICITY
March 23–April 9
Annette Smith Ned & Co Marketing and Publicity
March 25–July 1
The Alliance Française French Film Festival returned for its 28th year with a show-stopping line-up that showcased both established and emerging talent from France’s continually evolving and endlessly fascinating film industry. Despite the growth of VOD options that today’s consumers are bombarded with, in addition to the surfeit of other film festivals and ‘arts’ activities in the marketplace, this enduring event continues to grow and attract new admirers whilst retaining the love and loyalty of its regular patrons, as evidenced by the fact that 70% of this year’s audience was comprised of those who have enjoyed previous seasons, with 68% choosing to attend more than one Festival session. Australians have repeatedly illustrated that they have a great love of, and appreciation for, French culture, so it would be all too easy to become complacent about the Festival’s long-standing success. However, no event can afford to rest ‘on its laurels’ and this Festival is no exception. With a dynamic new Artistic Director (Philippe Platel) at this year’s helm, the 2017 programme was stimulating and engaging, with 45 critically acclaimed films encompassing a range of topics, genres and cinematic styles, resulting in approximately 174,600 admissions – an increase of more than 6,000 when compared with the previous year. The Festival was also proud to support the work of 17 female directors as well as the feature-debuts of exciting new filmmakers including Stéphanie di Giusto (The Dancer), Guillaume Senez (Keeper) and Sacha Wolff (Mercenary), whose features complimented those of renowned practitioners such as Emmanuelle Bercot, Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Nicole Garcia, Benoît Jacquot, Mia HansenLøve, Philippe Lioret, Martin Provost, Jérôme Salle, Bertrand Tavernier and Roschdy Zem. In keeping with the emphasis on female talent, we were thrilled to welcome directors Emmanuelle Bercot
Stretching over three weekends, Taste Great Southern in Western Australia is a feast of long, lazy lunches, culinary workshops, local wine experiences and gourmet markets; tastegreatsouthern.com.au.
Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban — known for his sublime contemporary structures and creative approaches to disaster relief — will build two innovative installations in Sydney; sherman-scaf.org.au.
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Harper’s Bazaar
Dion Lee pre-fall 2016. Julia Baird. Above: Natalie Portman in Planetarium.
H A R P E R S B A Z A A R . C O M . A U March 2017
(150 Milligrams, Standing Tall) and Rebecca Zlotowski (Planetarium) along with famed actor, singer, songwriter Inna Modja (Wùlu) as guests of the Festival. The publicity generated by their presence, along with their audience interaction at Special Event screenings also lifted the Festival’s public profile and added a further dimension of excitement to proceedings. With so many events taking place simultaneously, competition for publicity was intense, particularly in light of stringent economic measures that have seen many outlets cut back on staff and discontinue arts programming. It’s therefore gratifying to note that this year saw the Festival still covered by major media across print, radio, online and digital with the latter two continuing to provide a large percentage of exposure in keeping with the growth of the digital age and the shift away from the printed medium. Publicity coverage encompassed interviews, feature articles, reviews and listings across hundreds of outlets nationwide. Print highlights, which were also replicated across associated digital networks, included multiple articles within The Australian (plus the cover of their Saturday ‘Review’ supplement) along with features, reviews and listings within Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Sun Herald, Sunday Life Magazine, The Sunday Age, Courier Mail, The Advertiser, West Australian, Australian Financial Review, Time Out, Harper’s Bazaar, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Australian Jewish News, Weekly Review, Central Sydney Magazine and Wentworth Courier. Key online exposure incorporated websites such as The Huffington Post, The Guardian, The Blurb, Broadsheet, Concrete Playground, Culture Concept, Femail, Fourth Reel, The Reel Word The Music and News Limited’s flagship female site, WHIMN. Radio coverage included the ABC Network and SBS, along with an influential and varied mix of community ‘arts’ programs on a state-by-state basis.
http://todayspaper.smedia.com.au/theage/PrintPages.aspx?doc=AGE/2017/04/02&from=134&to=134
PageAge 1 of 1 Sunday Life Magazine, The
The Australian Review – Cover Story
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Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday, March 08, 2017, pages from 13 to 13
MOVIES
C’est magnifique! THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL IS BACK ON NORTON ST
March hits & misses At our local Inner West cinemas T HE SA L E S MA N ★★★★
The French Film Festival is now one of Palace Cinema’s most popular events. It’s no secret why – with 45 formidable films, the world’s best cinema and its hottest stars, what’s not to like?
ABOVE: Lily-Rose
Depp and Natalie Portman get wet and share a ciggie in Planetarium. LEFT Malian singer-songwriter Inna Modja will be a guest at Palace Norton Street. BELOW: Lea Séydoux (left) stars in Farewell My Queen.
With over 165,000 admissions last year, the Alliance Française French Film Festival has almost gotten too big, pretty well taking over some of the hosting cinemas. But that’s hardly a problem for movie lovers, it just means there are plenty of sessions to choose from, all day and evening, and multiple opportunities all month to check out some of what festival artistic director Philippe Platel calls “the crème de la crème” of French cinema. He’s the man with the enviable job of choosing what we’ll see, and this year, the festival’s 28th, he begins it with a splash. The opening night’s The Odyssey is a biopic about oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, starring everyone’s favourite French actress Audrey Tautou as Cousteau’s wife. Plenty of big names follow, with Marion Cotillard starring in both It’s Only the End of the World and the romantic From the Land of the Moon, while Oscar nominated Isabelle Hubert also turns up twice (Things to Come and Souvenir). Natalie Portman gets into the bath with Lily-Rose Depp (above) in the exotic and haunting Planetarium, and inevitably the great Gerard Depardieu is back – this year in the genial road trip Saint Amour. A bonus this year is a retrospective focussing on the Palace of Versailles – 2011’s sexy and lush tale about Marie Antoinette Farewell My Queen, starring Léa Seydoux, and the sumptuous costume drama, Mozart’s Sister. Inna Modja, a musician, songwriter, and visual artist from Mali will be giving a special guest performance at Palace Norton St with the screening of Wùlu on March 8. With her unique style, mixing Desert Blues and Hip-hop, she’s now one of the most important Malian contemporary artists on
Take that Trump! No, it’s unfair to imply a political motive to the Academy’s nod to an Iranian film just because so many of those on stage were so anxious to score points. It deserved its win. Asghar Farhadi’s (A Separation) typically gut-wrenching domestic pot-boiler (above) is also a slow-burning exquisitely suspenseful thriller with a superb third act that is (literally) a heart stopper. M from Mar 9.
DAV I D STR AT TO N : A C I N E M AT IC LIFE ★★★★ Poor David. He fought for an end to censorship only to then have to review ultra-violent films he despised like Turkey Shoot. And who can forget the shock of his refusal to even rate Romper Stomper, and the explosive aftermath with director Geoffrey Wright? Sally Aitkin’s generous doco about the nicest man in the business reveals all, and is an absolute must for all Australian cinema-lovers. M from Mar 9.
B E F O R E I FA LL ★★ Sam (Zoey Deutsh) spends her last day on Earth ignoring her loving family, giggling inanely with her besties, taunting the school loner and then binge drinking with her truly horrible friends. She dies at precisely 12.38am, only to wake up on the same day – forever. Can she break the Groundhog Day loop and learn not to be mean to lesbians, her mum and little sister? Hope so before the sequel! M from Mar 2.
T HE E AG LE H U N TR E SS ★★★★★
the world scene. She also stars in Wùlu, a “gut-wrenching crime-filled drama” that’s been likened to Scarface. Sydney dates: Mar 7 – 30. www.affrenchfilmfestival.org
A million miles from the affluent and smug YAs of the Pacific North West (above), teenage girls in Mongolia face very different problems… Like not being allowed to hunt with eagles – traditionally a task only done by men. But 13-year-old Aisholpan proves she can, and more in Otto Bell’s moving doco. It’s a stunning, stirringly visual film – as heart warming as it is spectacular. G from Mar 16.
n W I N D O U B L E PASS E S
M O R E LO CAL C INEMA
Thanks to the Alliance Française French Film Festival, we have 10 double in season tickets to festival films to give away. Just email info@ciaomagazine.com.au with your name and address, letting us know where you found your copy of Ciao.
The Advertiser
Updates all month at www.ciaomagazine.com.au. And so that you don’t miss out on any of our regular giveways – subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Five must-sees for film buffs at this year’s French Film festival I T ’ S ON LY T H E E N D O F TH E WOR LD
Expect fireworks in Xavier Dolan’s explosive family melodrama about an estranged gay writer returning home to announce he is dying. The fantastic cast includes Lea Séydoux, Marion Cotillard and Vincent Cassel.
T H E UN K N OW N G IR L The acclaimed Belgian social realist masters the Dardenne
Brothers (Two Days, One Night) return to AFFF with a compelling Palme d’Or nominated murder mystery. As always it’s as tough-going as it is mesmerizing.
T HE I N N OCE N TS
Lauded with high praise at Sundance, Anne Fontaine’s (Coco Avant Chanel, Gemma Bovery) profoundly moving and morally complex drama is about a convent of nuns in post WW2 Poland,
many of whom are all, quite mysteriously, pregnant…
T HE DA N C E R
The very lovely Lily-Rose Depp (yep, you know who her dad is) plays a young Isadora Duncan alongside French singer actress Soko (right) in this spectacular and lushily staged bio-drama about rival pioneers of modern dance and theatrical performance in late 19th century Paris. -8-
Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, March 04, 2017, pages from 140 to 141
Ciao Magazine
Spectrum, The Sydney Morning Herald
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T H IN G S TO CO ME
The Guardian
The great Isabelle Huppert (Elle) gives yet another one of her dynamite performances in Mia Hansen-Løve’s eagerly-awaited new film. She plays a philosophy teacher whose life is dramatically upended when her husband walks out. That title is fortuitous, thankfully this will be getting a welcome wider release in April.
The Sydney Morning Herald
http://todayspaper.smedia.com.au/smh/PrintPages.aspx?doc=SMH/2017/03/08&from=13&to=13
Page 1 of 1
n Russell Edwards
Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, March 04, 2017, pages from 140 to 141
The Daily Telegraph
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STATISTICS
AUDIENCE PROFILE AND DEMOGRAPHICS Age
ATTENDANCE AND SCREENINGS MALE 26%
National attendance since 2008 168,017
FEMALE 74%
under 18 2%
Of the Festival audience surveyed
174,669
61+ 25%
7% were STUDENTS, 18% were RETIRED, 66% were WORKING & 6% were UNEMPLOYED.
133,466
2008
51–60 23%
87% BEEN TO FRANCE 2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
NATIVE FRENCH SPEAKERS 8%
2017
Number of screenings per city
720 660 336 280 263
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
PERTH
187
CANBERRA
ADELAIDE
10
NON-NATIVE FRENCH SPEAKERS 34%
26–30 8%
31–40 17%
of the Festival audience had
77,670
18–25 8%
41–50 17%
Of the Festival audience surveyed
77% were AUSTRALIAN, 9% were EUROPEAN & 5% were FRENCH.
NON FRENCH SPEAKERS 58%
HOBART
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE CONNECTION Attendance per city Previous Alliance Française events attended
ADELAIDE 13,719
French classes
22%
BRISBANE 22, 716 First event
3%
SYDNEY 52,655
52%
Talks and/or Conferences
CANBERRA 18,063
HOBART 649
PERTH 13,906
would like to
LEARN FRENCH
7%
with the Alliance Française
Bastille Day
11%
AF French Film Festival
53%
AF Classic Film Festival
MELBOURNE 52,961
32
5%
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TESTIMONIALS
THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE Of the Festival audience surveyed
Planned film Viewings
65% had been attending for up to 5 YEARS , 13% for 6-9 YEARS & 22% for more than 10 YEARS.
2–5 films 68%
30% FIRST TIME
Hello. Last night I saw A Bun in the Oven which was fantastic! Thanks, regards, Sandra Valimberti A great day with many French language students at the Alliance Française French Film Festival today. Great way to experience the language you're learning. Patrick Swanson
were attending for the
6–10 films 16% 10+ films 5%
1 film 11%
Katia Beaugeais – feeling emotional. “Sad to see this end – some great movies at Alliance Française French Film Festival. Until next year!” Carlo Diluca “17 movies down and about half dozen to go. Been an amazing festival as always. Great work”
FEEDBACK
100
95%
93%
Not so great
98%
96%
93%
73%
@thecinemum: Spending a glorious afternoon at the Alliance Française French Film Festival watching Planetarium followed by Q&A with director Rebecca Zlotowski and festival artistic director Philippe Platel.
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@ulaniluise: Loving the @af_fff_aus! Highly recommend seeing @Demainlefilm #zerowaste #af_fff_aus
27%
@caligula00: #JustineTriet’s #InBedWithVictoria 2016 funny & perceptive. #VirginieEfira, a force of nature. Merci beaucoup @af_fff_aus @RiversideParra
20 7%
5% 2%
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Michelle Roberts Hassan Merci! I've seen 10 films but then from the trailers I realised there are two more I really want to see, and now I can!
@vonkita: And that’s a wrap for the Alliance Française French Film Festival in Melbourne for another year! We had an absolutely amazing time, and I want to give a huge shout to @ palacecinemas @af_fff_aus @alliancefrancaise_melbourne for throwing such a perfect event.
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0
Mike Moros Thanks for the films, gang! We've seen 5 so far and hope to squeeze in 2-3 more. It's Only the End of the World was stunning and Penny Pincher was hilarious.
Great
@alanaaldeamusic: I saw L'Odyssée at @af_fff_aus yesterday... tellement magnifique !!!! What a fantastic way to open the festival Merci beaucoup @alliancefrancaise_melbourne @palacecinemas
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I have seen 3 so far: One Man and His Cow, fabulous movie. I loved it, suit the whole family, lovely story, great message. The Dancer was mesmerising. The Midwife was great-loved it. great story, really enjoyable. Looking forward to other bookings for the Alliance Française French Film Festival. We go every year and love it. Suzanne Jones
Special Events
Location
Price
Schedule
4%
The Line up
7%
@capey: Thanks for the macaroons @AnarchyPR and @af_fff_aus Can’t wait for the festival to open next week #af_fff_aus
Website
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NATIONAL SPONSORS Presenting Sponsor
PARTICIPATING ALLIANCES FRANÇAISES
Exhibition Partner
Festival Partner
SEE IT IN STYLE
SEE IT IN STYLE
Red Carpet Sponsors
SYDNEY
CANBERRA
PERTH
257 Clarence St, Sydney Tel: 02 9292 5700 enquiries@afsydney.com.au afsydney.com.au
66 McCaughey St, Turner Tel: 02 6257 6696 enquiries@afcanberra.com.au afcanberra.com.au
75 Broadway, Nedlands Tel: 08 9386 7921 info@afperth.com.au afperth.com.au
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
ADELAIDE
51 Grey St, St Kilda Tel: 03 9525 3463 info@afmelbourne.com.au afmelbourne.com.au
262 Montague Rd, West End Tel: 07 3844 4460 culture@afbrisbane.com afbrisbane.com
319 Young St, Wayville Tel: 08 8272 4281 adelaide@af.org.au af.org.au
P U R E B O TA N I C A L C A R E
PARTICIPATING CINEMAS Front Row Sponsors
Media Partners
,
SYDNEY
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
Chauvel Cinema
The Astor Theatre
Palace Barracks Cinemas
Palace Norton St Cinemas
Palace Balwyn Cinema
Palace Verona
Palace Brighton Bay
Cnr Oatley Rd & Oxford St, Paddington
LOCAL SPONSORS SYDNEY
Franck Provost, Lycée Condorcet, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Nonstop Media, City of Sydney, Consulate General of Canada Sydney, National Art School, Four Frogs, La Planchette, Fine French Food, Frenchies Bistrot, French Fare Catering, Bistrot Gavroche
MELBOURNE
Yarra Trams, Sofitel, Cacao, The French Brasserie, Simone Pérèle Paris, Simon Jonson, Wood Frog Bakery, Frenchies Logistics, La Parisienne Pâté
CANBERRA
Pialligo Estate Canberra, Canberra International Music Festival, Travel Makers, Nonstop Media, Canberra Business Chamber, The High Commission of Canada in Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Arum Floral Design
99 Norton St, Leichhardt
PERTH
Novotel, Resolute, The University of Western Australia, The West Australian, Le Petit Journal, La Pâtisserie South Perth, Louis Boeglin Pâtisserie, Martineaus Pâtisserie, Atlas Pearls and Perfumes, Conservation Council of West Australia
BRISBANE
BBS Communication Group, Griffith Film School, Screen Queensland, Queensland Government, France Gourmet, Lutèce Bistro, Queensland Performing Art Centre, TAFE Brisbane, Sofitel Brisbane Central, Chouquette, Black Pearl Epicure, Vieille Branche
ADELAIDE
South Australia, Government of South Australia, The Advertiser, Bottega Rotolo, La Lorientaise Crêperie Croydon
Cnr Oxford & Verona Streets, Paddington
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace 380 Military Road, Cremorne
Riverside Theatres
Cnr Church & Market Streets, Parramatta
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula
Cnr Chapel St & Dandenong Rd, St Kilda
231 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn
294 Bay St, Brighton
Palace Cinema Como
Cnr Toorak Rd & Chapel St, Sth Yarra
Palace Westgarth Cinemas 89 High St, Northcote
Kino Cinemas
45 Collins St, Melbourne
CANBERRA Palace Electric Cinema
NewActon Nishi, 2 Phillip Law St, Canberra
61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
Palace Centro Cinemas
39 James St, Fortitude Valley
PERTH Cinema Paradiso
164 James St, Northbridge
Luna on SX
13 Essex St, Fremantle
Windsor Cinema
98 Stirling Highway, Nedlands
ADELAIDE Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas 3 Cinema Place, Adelaide
HOBART State Cinema
375 Elizabeth St, North Hobart
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Alliance Française French Film Festival is the result of collaboration between the Alliances Françaises of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth and the cultural services of the French Embassy in Australia: ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE SYDNEY Jean-Baptiste Milcamps, General Manager | Laurie-Anne Pecqueux, Deputy General Manager | Morgane Blondel, National Festival Manager | Dominique Giovanangeli, Finance & Administration Manager | Mathieu Plubeau, Festival Coordinator | Victoria Dominé, Festival Assistant | Camille Comtat & Olivia Modesti, Marketing Managers ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE MELBOURNE Michel Richard, Director | Françoise Libotte, Deputy Director & Festival Logistics Coordinator | Marion Nouvel, School Screenings | Mathieu Vendeville, Designer | Samuel Paton, Alice Fardel, Hélène Lavenir, Laure Mouttapa & Jeanne Canus Lacoste, Festival Interns ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE CANBERRA Patrice Gilles, Director and Chief Representative of Fondation Alliance Française in Australia | Isabelle Faure, Festival Coordinator | Jessica Choquet, Deputy Director | Vincent Brousse, Business Development Manager ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE BRISBANE Jacques Bounin, Director | Mélanie Blanquine, Marketing, Communications & Events Manager | Chloé Reynaud, Marketing & Festival Assistant ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE D’ADELAIDE Laurent Pointud, Director | Ilona Solinska, Operations Manager | Nell Szyndler, Coordinator ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE PERTH Carine Bougnague, Managing Director | Valériane Mathieu, PR & Events Manager | Delphine Gauthier, Festival Assistant | Yann Le Flour, Education Coordinator FRENCH EMBASSY IN AUSTRALIA H.E. Mr Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France to Australia | Bertrand Pous, Cooperation and Cultural Counsellor | Philippe Platel, Cultural and Audiovisual Attaché, Artistic Director of the Festival We would like to take this opportunity to say Merci to our valued Festival partners. To all National and Local Sponsors without your financial and in-kind support, the Festival would not be possible. UNIFRANCE FILMS AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS Curious Film, Madman Entertainment, Palace Films, Rialto Distribution, Sharmill Films, Studiocanal, Transmission Films, Umbrella Entertainment, Vendetta Films FRENCH DISTRIBUTORS Be for Films, Celluloid Dreams, Films Distribution, Indie Sales, Institut Français, Le Pacte, MK2, Pathé, Pyramide Distribution, Studiocanal, TF1 International, Wild Bunch EXHIBITION PARTNER PALACE CINEMAS Antonio Zeccola, Benjamin Zeccola, Elysia Zeccola, Antony Zeccola, Stephanie Zeccola, Paulette Arvizu, Kim Petalas, Ingrid van den Berghe, Lucy Gibson, Georgina Stegman, Charley Greaves, Jade O’Loughlin, Kimberley Allan, Renato Fonti, Karen Karpinski, Laura Emerick, Alice McShane, Gina Rubiano, Jade Ward, Caroline Whiteway, Kayla Mather, Sarah Lewis and Yolanda Sulser FESTIVAL PARTNER EXHIBITORS Paul Dravet, Rachell Baker, Robert Love, Michelle Kotevski, Elizabeth L Kleinberg, Craig Donarski, Nikki Akbar and John Kelly SPECIAL THANKS to Rebecca Zlotowski, Emmanuelle Bercot, Inna Modja, Marco Conti, Seyba Sissoko, Irwin Granier, Sylvain Chenevier THANKS TO ALL FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Catherine Spinks WEBSITE Tip Top Web PUBLICITY Annette Smith (Ned & Co), Angela Tolley, Neil Ward, Coralie Wood and Adriana Begovich
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CONTACT MORGANE BLONDEL
National Festival Manager Alliance Franรงaise de Sydney 257 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2200 e morganeb@afsydney.com.au t (02) 9292 5741 m 0405 766 503