2015 Alliance Française French Film Festival by AFCanberra

FESTIVAL REPORT sydney 3-22 march melbourne 4 -22 march adelaide 5 -24 march canberra 6 -25 march brisbane 13 march -1 april perth 19 march -7 april byron bay 9 -14 april hobart 16 -21 april casula 9-10 april parramatta 10-12 april

2015 ALLIANCE FRANĂ&#x2021;AISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL REPORT

merci & bravo

key information & numbers

highlights & achievements

line-up 8 most popular films

events & screenings

collateral 12 online communication

YOUNGER VIEWERS

publicity 26 statistics 30 sponsors 35 acknowledgments 37 testimonials 38

contents

merci & bravo record season with

157,000+ attendees The current season of the Alliance Française French Film Festival has emerged as the most successful in the Festival’s proud 26-year history. With more than 1,900 sessions nationally and an impeccable line-up of 49 diverse French films, the 2015 season captivated audiences of all ages and tastes. 20 cinema locations in the 8 participating cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Perth and Hobart gathered a national attendance of 157,000+ attendees, indicating an increase of 20% from 2014. Presented by the Alliance Française in association with the Embassy of France in Australia, along with the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Peugeot and Exhibition partner Palace Cinemas, this event would not be possible without the dedicated efforts of many individuals and organisations. Wonderful team work and an excellent coordination between all partners contributed greatly to the success of the 2015 Festival. His Excellency, Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France to Australia, said, “The Festival has been a great success and an exceptional way of showcasing French creativity. In reaching over 157,000 spectators, this year has marked an historic achievement. And well beyond the realm of cinema, 2015 is an important year for the relations between our two countries, as we acknowledge the significance of Australia’s contribution in ensuring that the France of today is a free, sovereign and independent nation. Merci!” Also bringing their cinematic passion to proceedings were renowned movie critics, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, who were this year’s honoured Patrons. Australian audiences have long been great supporters of French cinema, and continued to celebrate it during the 2015 Festival in March and April.

isabelle faure

Chief Representative of Fondation Alliance Française in Australia

his excellency, mr christophe lecourtier, ambassador of france to australia, with isabelle faure

26th edition 8 week duration

130,520

cinema seats filled in 2014

157,484

cinema seats filled in 2015

+20.65% audience

most successful year 49 films 20 cinemas 1,916 screenings 82% australians 74% female 28% 30 y/o & UNDER 20% 31-40 y/o 40% 41-60 y/o

key info & numbers

opening night film, gemma bovery

innovation A Taste For

2015 Highlights

new venues AN EXPANDING FILM EVENT

opening night, hobart

After Byron Bay in 2014, Hobart (Tasmania) was added to the list of participating cities.

The Alliance Française French Film Festival strives each year to deliver the best celebration of French cinema outside of France, and has grown to become a true milestone in the cultural calendar of Australia.

Also, a selection of films was shown at Casula (Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre) and Parramatta (Riverside Theatres) in Western Sydney.

By remaining innovative, the Festival appeals to Australian, French and film lovers, convincing an ever-growing audience that French culture is rich and broad, vibrant, tasteful, chic, sophisticated, elegant and above all daring.

These new venues gathered 782 attendees.

margaret pomeranz & david stratton

THE SUPPORT OF ICONIC FILM CRITICS

margaret & david

short film competition

Beloved by movie aficionados throughout the country, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton lent their distinctive ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the Festival, by selecting their 7 favourite films – featured as their Festival Picks throughout the program.

critics prize

FROM DISTRIBUTION TO PRODUCTION

The best way to promote French cinema in Australia is, well, by encouraging Australians to create something French! Together with our Presenting Sponsor Peugeot, we’ve organised the first ever AF FFF Short Film Competition. Our Jury, whose members included leading figures of the Australian film industry, selected 3 films amongst the 25 entries. The winner, LOVE VELO by Jonathan Sulte, was selected after an online vote open to the public (1,000 votes).

critic’s prize winner: girlhood

THE CREATION OF AN AUSTRALIAN AWARD

We asked five Australian journalists to select their pick from the 2015 entries. Invited to Paris by uniFrance films (the organisation promoting French cinema worldwide), they attended screenings, met with and interviewed French talents. Members of the jury were Garry Maddox (Sydney Morning Herald), Jason Di Rosso (ABC Radio National), Cara Nash (FilmInk), Simon Weaving (Canberra Times) and Stephen A Russell (SBS, The New Daily, thelowdownunder.com and Joy 94.9 FM). The Alliance Française French Film Festival 2015 Critics Prize went to GIRLHOOD, by Céline Sciamma.

highlights & achievements

titres de film

in english en français FILM TITLES

3 hearts Almost friends Asterix-the Mansions of the gods Babysitting Barbecue Beauty and the beast Before the winter chill Breathe Captain Conan Chance Encounter Diplomacy Eden Elle l’adore Far from men French riviera Gemma Bovery Get well soon Girlhood Grand Illusion Handmade with love in France In the courtyard Love at first fight Marie’s story Moomins on the riviera My summer in Provence Nicholas on holiday Once upon a forest One of a kind Paper souls Paris, je t’aime Saint Laurent Samba Sex, love and therapy Summer nights Superchondriac The Bélier family The blue room The Connection The easy way out The Gate The Gazelles The last diamond The last hammer blow The list of my desires The new girlfriend The Officer’s Ward The ultimate accessory The yellow eyes of the crocodiles Tokyo Fiancée

line up

100% cachemire 3 cOEurs Astérix le domaine des Dieux Avant l'hiver Avis de mistral Babysitting Bande de filles Barbecue Bon rétablissement Capitaine Conan Dans la cour Diplomatie Eden Elle l'adore Gemma Bovery Il était une forêt La Belle et la bête La chambre bleue La chambre des officiers La famille Bélier La French La grande illusion La liste de mes envies L'art de la fugue LE dernier coup de marteau Le dernier diamant Le temps des aveux Le Temps Suspendu Les âmes de papier Les combattants Les Gazelles Les Moomins sur la Riviera Les nuits d'été Les vacances du petit Nicolas Les yeux jaunes des crocodiles L'homme qu'on aimait trop Loin des hommes Marie Heurtin Mon âme par toi guérie On a failli être amies Paris, je t'aime Respire Saint Laurent Samba Supercondriaque Tokyo Fiancée Tu veux ou tu veux pas Une nouvelle amie Une rencontre

ranking based on total admissions

ranking based on average admissions

1. 3 HEARTS

2. GEMMA BOVERY

1. PARIS, JE T’AIME

2. GEMMA BOVERY

3. THE BÉLIER FAMILY

4. DIPLOMACY

3. samba

4. tokyo fiancÉe

5. nicholas on holiday 6,981 spectators

6. FAR FROM MEN 6,468 spectators

5. 3 hearts

6. NICHOLAS ON HOLIDAY

7. FRENCH RIVIERA

8. SAMBA

7. the bÉlier familY

8. my summer in provence

9. CHANCE ENCOUNTER

10. BEFORE THE WINTER CHILL

9. the yellow eyes of the crocodiles

9. the gazelles

12,259 spectators

10,163 spectators

6,231 spectators

4,913 spectators

12,233 spectators

7,289 spectators

5,401 spectators

4,824 spectators

301 spectators

168 spectators

153 spectators

117 spectators

111 spectators

164 spectators

118 spectators

114 spectators

109 spectators

most popular films

opening night, melbourne

special events

national media launch

preview screenings

palace cinema como, melbourne

In addition to the sessions announced, the Festival brought some highlights to its audience through special themed events. Each city organised special screenings preceded by themed receptions related to the film or in collaboration with local sponsors.

On the 5th of February 2015, the Alliance Française French Film Festival presented its 26th edition and 2015 stellar line-up to 100+ journalists and sponsors at the Palace Verona. The presentation included a special preview screening of 3 HEARTS by Benoît Jacquot.

To mention a few, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney held special red-carpet and fashion events to add an extra glamourous experience to the screening of SAINT LAURENT.

The film was also screened in February and March 2015 in the cities of Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for the local press.

The comedy THE BELIER FAMILY, highlighting the emancipation of a teenager through music, was followed by singing contests in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Around 700 people across Australia attended these media launches.

melbourne event

Melbourne also organised in partnership with the University of Melbourne 3 special Q&As after the screenings of GRAND ILLUSION, THE LIST OF MY DESIRES AND GEMMA BOVERY in order to give the Festival audience a deeper understanding of these films. opening night gala, national art school, sydney

opening nights

closing nights

The 26th edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival successively travelled to 8 cities, where it was launched with glamorous Opening Nights.

For its 26th edition, the Alliance Française French Film Festival proposed an encore presentation of the portmanteau film PARIS, JE T’AIME, echoing with the Eiffel tower used as the 2015 Festival’s key artwork.

The Festival was honoured by the attendance of its 2015 esteemed patrons Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton in Sydney and Melbourne. Overall nationally, more than 3,000 patrons participated in those celebrations and left the night with a gift bag generously filled with goodies from our national and local sponsors. Sydney hosted the national launch with a two-hour red carpet gala at the National Art School. The 700 guests then continued their night at the Opening Night Screening at the Palace Verona.

opening night after party, the bakery, perth

PRIVATE SCREENING, FOR BNP PARIBAS, palace verona, sydney

Around 2,500 patrons nationwide said farewell to the 26th edition travelling through the 20th arrondissements of Paris with a star-studded cast.

melbourne event

In Melbourne, the 800 Festival guests celebrated the opening of the Festival at the Palace Cinema Como. Canberra held a memorable after-party for the 400 guests present at the Palace Electric cinema to welcome the start of the Festival. Brisbane’s Opening Night Screening and party took place the Palace Centro Cinema with 750 people in attendance. The Opening Night Screening at the Cinema Paradiso in Perth welcomed 600 guests who continued their night at the Bakery for the after-party. Adelaide launched the Festival at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas with 300 guests. Byron Bay and Hobart both hosted Opening Nights that launched a 6-day festival in each city.

events & screenings

NATIONAL POSTER 700 X 1000MM

festival program a6

700mm x 1000mm poster

national poster Nationally distributed. Posters are displayed in all participating Alliances and cinemas from the very busy Christmas period as well as distributed to sponsors and all cultural partners.

SYDNEY 3-22 MARCH

sydney 3-22 march melbourne 4 -22 march adelaide 5 -24 march canberra 6 -25 march brisbane 13 march -1 april perth 19 march -7 april byron bay 9 -14 april hobart 16 -21 april

National sponsors only Quantity: 550

AllianceFrançaise Australie

program a6 booklet

AllianceFrançaise

Australie

EXHIBITION PARTNER

FRONT ROW SPONSORS

RED CARPET SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

local Sydney.indd 1

16/01/2015 1:23:13 PM

festival program a6, DOUBLE-PAGE SPREAD

80 page programmes distributed to AF and Palace Cinemas’ customers, sponsors, cultural partners and other key locations.

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

National & local sponsors Quantity: 135,000

LOCAL POSTER A3

a3 poster

local poster Distributed to local sponsors and partners. Also displayed in cafés, restaurants and cultural spaces, with in-store distribution campaigns.

National & local sponsors Quantity: 2,500

festival program a6, DOUBLE-PAGE SPREAD

brisbane

13 march-1 april

exhibition partner

red carpet sponsors

festival partners

media partners

AFFFF2015_A3Poster_BRISBANE.indd 1

local sponsors

collateral

front row sponsors

27/01/2015 3:42:57 PM

envelopes front and back OPENING NIGHT INVITATION FRONT

envelopes

OPENING NIGHT

National & local sponsors

’ D’OUVERTURE SOIREE

opening night invitations

Used for all Festival correspondence.

National sponsors AFFFF2015 OPENING NIGHT INVITE.indd 2

Quantity: 1,800

22/01/2015 5:29:14 PM

The Alliance Française de Brisbane and Palace cinemas are pleased to invite

..............................................................

to the Opening Night of the 26th Alliance Française French Film Festival and the Brisbane Première of

GEMMA BOVERY

PRESENTING SPONSOR

ExHIBITION PARTNER

Quantity: 4,200

fESTIVAl PARTNERS

RED cARPET SPONSORS

fRIDAY 13 MARcH

OPeNiNG NiGhT GAlA

6.30pm DriNK ON ArrivAl 7pm FilM ScreeNiNG FOllOWeD By cOcKTAil PArTy WiTh live eNTerTAiNMeNT PAlAce ceNTrO 39 JAMeS STreeT, FOrTiTuDe vAlley

MEDIA PARTNERS

RSVP essential by Monday 2 March to Jean-Baptiste Viot at festival@afbrisbane.com or 07 3844 4460

lOcAl SPONSORS

ThiS iS AN iNviTATiON FOr 2. ThiS iNviTATiON iS NOT A TicKeT. ciNeMA TicKeTS MuST Be cOllecTeD FrOM The viP DeSK AT PAlAce ceNTrO FrOM 6PM ON FriDAy 13 MArch. iNviTATiON NOT TrANSFerABle. ADMiSSiON iS reSTricTeD TO GueSTS 18 yeArS AND Over.

AFFFF2015 OPENING NIGHT INVITE.indd 5

www.hugel.com

fRONT ROw SPONSORS

hobart flyers front and back

22/01/2015 5:29:24 PM

flyers DOUBLE, & TWO-FOR-ONE PASSES

complimentary passes

screening

flyers Used to highlight special events and Festival patrons’ selection.

aDmit two

COMPLIMENTARY PASS

double passes

16-21 april

HOBART FLYERS.indd 1

13/03/2015 11:43:26 AM

LO V E . H AT E . L A U G H T E R . T E A R S .

french stories told beautifully

Quantity: 1,500

opening night film

National & local sponsors

GEMMA BOVERY

Quantity: 4,500 COMPLIMENTARY PASS.indd 1

When English couple, Gemma (Gemma Arterton) and Charles Bovery (Jason Flemyng), move to a Normandy village, local baker and resident Gustave Flaubert fan, Martin Joubert (Fabrice Luchini), becomes obsessed.

23/01/2015 1:58:21 PM

Here are two real-life people that seem to be reenacting the behaviour of his favourite fictional characters right before his eyes! Welcome drink on arrival, live entertainment followed by film screening.

TWO FOR ONE passes

OPENING NIGHT EVENT THURSDAY 16 APRIL, 6.00PM STATE CINEMA

at the festival

WITH MARGARET AND DAVID

National & local sponsors

Reunited for the first time since At The Movies, revered film critics Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton are the Alliance Française French Film Festival’s 2015 Patrons.

Quantity: 1,500

Beloved by movie aficionados throughout the country, Margaret and David lend their distinctive ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the Festival. They have cast their discerning eyes over the lineup and have chosen their “festival picks”. For Margaret they are 3 Hearts (showing on Friday 17 April), Far From Men (showing on Tuesday 21 April), and for David Diplomacy (showing on Friday 17 April), The Blue Room (showing on Monday 20 April).

the alliance française

A VIBRANT NETWORK

TWO FOR ONE

The Alliance Française was created in 1883 in Paris, by intellectuals and scientists such as Louis Pasteur, Jules Verne and Ferdinand de Lesseps. Since its inception, the Alliance Française has been striving to promote French language and culture around the world.

COMPLIMENTARY PASS

The first Australian Alliance Française was founded in Melbourne in 1890. Currently, the Australian network comprises of 30 centres, with more than 9,000 students enrolled each year. It hosts a large number of cultural events annually, the most successful of which being the Alliance Française French Film Festival. Created 26 years ago, it is showing for the first time in Hobart. CTC

HOBART FLYERS.indd 2

13/03/2015 11:43:27 AM

full-page advertisement in l’officiel

half-page advertisement in frankie magazine

alliance française presents the 26th annual

french film festival

affrenchfilmfestival.org

LOVE.HATE.LAUGHTER.TEARS.

french stories told beautifully IN CINEMAS NEAR YOU - MARCH & APRIL

lo v e . h at e . l au g h t e r . t e a r s

french stories told beautifully in cinemas near you - march & april

BENOÎT JACQUOT

advertising Tailored advertisements, to match each publications’ demographic. Time Out, Frankie Magazine, Provincial Living Magazine, L’Officiel, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Courier Mail, Spectrum Now...

MÉLANIE LAURENT

BERTRAND BONELLO

3 HEARTS

“THREE EUROPEAN FILM LEGENDS MAKE THIS LOVE TRIANGLE A COMPELLING ONE TO WATCH” VARIETY

SAINT LAURENT

BREATHE

“BERTRAND BONELLO’S GLOSSILY INTUITIVE VISION IS PURE HAUTE COUTURE” VARIETY

“BEAUTIFULLY SHOT, RADIANTLY ACTED AND ARTISTICALLY MADE” INDIEWIRE

full-page advertisement in provincial living lo v e . h at e . l au g h t e r . t e a r s

french stories told beautifully in cinemas near you - march & april

half-page advertisement in Adelaide review love . hate . laughter . tears.

french stories told beautifully palace nova eastend 5-24 march MIA HANSEN-LØVE

EDEN

SPECIAL EVENT: FRENCH TOUCH FRIDAY 20 MARCH DRINKS, DJ SET AND FILM

STEFAN LIBERSKI

TOKYO FIANCÉE

A DAVID STRATTON FESTIVAL PICK

pierre salvadori

in the courtyard

“manages to push everyday situations toward the absurd and comical” the hollywood reporter

FRANÇOIS OZON

THE NEW GIRLFRIEND

“A SKILLFULLY TRIANGULATED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER” VARIETY

presents the 26th annual

AFFFF2015_HALFPAGE_VERTICAL.indd 1

10/02/2015 1:05:12 PM

CÉDRIC JIMENEZ

THE CONNECTION “A MASTER STROKE” metro

AFFFF2015_FULLPAGEADV.indd 1

3/02/2015 6:39:17 PM

street banner, brisbane

street banner, sydney

full-page advertisement in time out melbourne

LO V E . H AT E . L AU G H T E R . T E A R S

french stories told beautifully IN CINEMAS NEAR YOU 4 - 22 MARCH

street banners Sydney 295 banners (165 City of Sydney, 130 North Sydney) 6 week campaign Melbourne 33 banners and 7 signage hubs 3 week campaign Brisbane 33 banners 4 week campaign

MÉLANIE LAURENT

BREATHE

“BEAUTIFULLY SHOT, RADIANTLY ACTED AND ARTISTICALLY MADE” INDIEWIRE

ÉRIC TOLEDANO, OLIVIER NAKACHE

SAMBA

“ADMIRERS OF THE INTOUCHABLES MAY YET FALL IN LOVE WITH SAMBA” METRO

ANNE FONTAINE

GEMMA BOVERY “A JEWEL OF HUMOUR AND INTELLIGENCE…BEAUTIFULLY PERFORMED” LA CROIX

BERTRAND BONELLO

SAINT LAURENT

“BERTRAND BONELLO’S GLOSSILY INTUITIVE VISION IS PURE HAUTE COUTURE” VARIETY

street banner, perth

Perth 41 banners 2 week campaign

CÉDRIC JIMENEZ

THE CONNECTION

street banner, perth

“A MASTER STROKE” METRO

CINEMA banner, PALACE VERONA, Sydney

“AT THE FESTIVAL WITH MARGARET AND DAVID” FESTIVAL PATRONS 2015

cinema banners Outside participating cinemas.

gift bags & t-shirts

gift bags & T-SHIRTS, opening night

GIFT BAGS

screen shot, affff2015 website for desktop

Distributed on Opening Nights. Quantity: 4,000

T-SHIRTS Worn by volunteers, staff and available for sale

website

Quantity: 450

screen shot, sponsor ad reel, peugeot

cinema

Design of a responsive website with a versatile slideshow. Display of films synopsis, images and trailer; special events; schedule etc.

AFFFF 30’ TVC Promotion of the Festival started on Boxing Day with a 30’ TVC shown in the 17 cinema locations. These Festival promos were played alongside other advertisements by the cinema. screen shot, affff2015 website for mobiles

Bonjour From The French Stars

A 2 minute video with extracts of interviews with French actors and directors played prior to all Festival screenings nationally.

screen shot, 30’ tvc

SPONSOR AD REEL 10 minute video played prior to all Festival screenings nationally and featuring all national sponsors advertisements and local sponsors advertisements locally. No other advertisements were played during the festival.

television

screen shot, sponsor ad reel, airfrance

sbs one & two AF FFF 30’ TVC shown in a campaign 536 SPOTS, BROADCAST NATIONALLY,

4 HR 20 MIN

ON AIR, 15 FEb - 21 MARCH 2015

world movies AF FFF 30’ TVC shown in a campaign 43 SPOTS, BROADCAST NATIONALLY, 21.5 MIN ON AIR, 15 FEB - 21 MARCH 2015 20

online communication

website performance & report

264,128+ 149,221

facebook

visits

9,620 likes +45% (from 2014)

unique visitors

4.34

AVERAGE NUMBER OF PAGES VIEWED PER VISIT

4:21

AVERAGE VISIT DURATION

twitter

1,371 followers +18% (from 2014)

social media

instagram ( new!)

177 followers

• 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

27,000

database & e-news

5,000

social media cross promotion with japan foundation

registrants in our database

WEBSITE COMPETITION REGISTRANTS

10+

national and local newsletters

34%

open rate

1ST BEST ADMISSION

CROSS PROMOTION WITH OPERA AUSTRALIA

cross promotion

REACHING THE AUDIENCES OF TOMORROW

school screenings

The Alliance Franรงaise French Film Festival and the 6 organising Alliances Franรงaises have built strong networks throughout the years. We have capitalised on these, organising giveaways and spreading the word out.

2nd BEST ADMISSION

nicholas on holiday 5,620 admissions, 58.6% asterix: the mansion of the gods 1,908 admissions, 19.9% far from men 672 admissions, 7%

total national admissions: 9,584

CROSS PROMOTION WITH BONDI OPEN AIR CINEMA

3rd BEST ADMISSION

younger viewers

MARIE CLAIRE MAGAZINE

annette smith NED & CO MARKETING & PUBLICITY

Since its inaugural season in 1990, the Alliance Française French Film Festival has emerged as the largest and most popular multi-cultural film event in Australia. Twenty-six years on, Australian audiences now have the choice of attending film festivals that showcase an incredible array of cultures, but the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival was the first and remains the one that has set the ‘benchmark’ of excellence for those that have followed. Given the proliferation of film festivals in today’s crowded marketplace, media have become highly selective with regards to those that they choose to cover. Arts editorial space, across all mediums, is limited and the demand for inclusion extends beyond the realm of cinema, as we are a nation that is spoilt when it comes to cultural activities. But despite the increasingly competitive environment, this is one Festival that media are drawn to cover. France’s film industry has always been at the forefront of international cinema and responsible for many trends and innovations that have influenced filmmakers the world over. This pedigree, combined with the timeless romance that the mere mention of France evokes, makes for a potent combination. As such, media and audiences regard the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival as the pre-eminent multi-cultural film event of the year; it exerts an attraction that few other celebrations of this nature enjoy. The landscape of media has also changed radically during the last decade. With the growth of the Internet, online coverage has emerged as a major component of any publicity campaign. From bloggers and social media to established arts websites and podcasts, online coverage is now the first ‘port of call’ for many people when being exposed to, or sourcing information. As such, the Festival’s 2015 publicity coverage included features, reviews and listings across hundreds of media outlets. Print highlights include Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Weekend Financial Review, Courier Mail, mX, The Big Issue, Time Out, Provincial Living Magazine and Marie-Claire, whilst high-profile online exposure incorporated websites such as Arts Hub, The Blurb, Broadsheet, Filmink, Gay News Network, The Guardian, Junkee, The Music, Style M Magazine, The New Daily, Queensland Magazine, Urban Cinefile and The Thousands. Radio coverage extended across the ABC Network and also incorporated a vibrant mix of community radio programs throughout the country. The Festival was also featured in the Qantas Travel Insider In-Flight Diary, which was screened across their domestic fleet, throughout March.

HERALD SUN, MELBOURNE

“ the festival’s 2015 publicity coverage included features, reviews and listings across hundreds of media outlets ” time out, sydney

Alliance Française French Film Festival 2015 - Around Sydney - Film - Time Out Sydney

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Erstwhile At the Movies presenters David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz are patrons of this year’s festival. We asked David for his take on the 2015 lineup and on French cinema in general

THE ADELAIDE REVIEW, ADELAIDE David, how did you and Margaret come to be involved in the 26 Alliance Française th

French Film Festival?

Margaret and I have been great fans of French cinema for a long time. The French were very generous – some years ago they made me a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. That’s a very nice honour. So when we were approached to become patrons of this year’s French Film Festival of course we said yes. ItÕs a big event in the Þlm calendar in Sydney. I have to point out that we had no say in the selection of the Þlms. But youÕve made recommendations on some of the Þlms that youÕve seen, right? Yes. I think The Blue Room is really outstanding. This is the second Þlm directed by the actor Mathieu Amalric, and itÕs a very tasty thriller based on a book by a very proliÞc Belgian crime writer George Simenon. It’s done in a very classical way even to the point where it has a standard Þlm size the old 4:3 screen ratio. I saw it in Cannes last year. You’re also giving the thumbs up to Diplomacy I believe. Diplomacy is based on a play and it doesn’t make much attempt to open it out, in fact it hardly makes any attempt, but it works because it’s got two fantastic actors, André Dussollier and http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/Þlm/events/42204/alliance-francaise-french-Þlm-festival-2015

publicity

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Also on at Around Sydney 1. Pop-Tarts’ #CRAZYGOOD caravan tour - Sun 01 Mar Monday Night Detox - Mon 02 Mar Tuesday Night Date Night - Tue 03 Mar NSW Food and Wine Festival - 07 Feb-01 Mar Lunar Feasts - 13 Feb-01 Mar

2. 3. 4. 5.

More events at Around Sydney

Films showing now 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Kingsman: The Secret Service American Sniper Selma Jupiter Ascending A Most Violent Year

More Þlms showing now

sponsors

The Canberra Times, Travelmakers, Arum Floral Design

participating

alliances françaises

merci

SYDNEY

BRISBANE

ADELAIDE

257 Clarence St, Sydney Tel: 02 9292 5700 enquiries@afsydney.com.au www.afsydney.com.au

262 Montague Rd, West End Tel: 07 3844 4460 culture@afbrisbane.com www.afbrisbane.com

319 Young Street, Wayville Tel: 08 8272 4281 adelaide@af.org.au www.af.org.au

MELBOURNE

CANBERRA

PERTH

51 Grey St, St Kilda Tel: 03 9525 3463 info@afmelbourne.com.au www.afmelbourne.com.au

66 McCaughey St, Turner Tel: 02 6247 5027 enquiries@afcanberra.com.au www.afcanberra.com.au

75 Broadway, Nedlands Tel: 08 9386 7921 info@afperth.com.au www.afperth.com.au

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 l Anne Leonetti, Deputy General Manager l Patricia Noeppel-Detmold, National Festival Manager l Dominique Giovanangeli, Finance & Administration Manager l Sébastien Donnadieu, Festival Officer l LucieRousseau, Festival Assistant | Olivia Modesti, Marketing Manager ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE MELBOURNE: Saliha Lefevre, Director | Françoise Libotte, Deputy Director & Festival Logistics Coordinator | Aurélie Pierre, Course Manager | Marion Nouvel, School Program Coordinator | Elise Froumson, Course Assistant | Mathieu Vendeville, Designer ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE CANBERRA: Isabelle Faure, Director and Chief Representative of Fondation Alliance Française in Australia | Vincent Brousse, Deputy Director ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE BRISBANE: Jacques Bounin, Director | Anne Perales, Communication and Events Manager | Jean-Baptiste Viot, Festival Assistant ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE D’ADELAIDE: Jean-Christophe Trentinella, Director | Sandra Szondi, Marketing & Communications Coordinator | Céline Bernard, Events Coordinator | Rebecca Cooke, Administrator ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE PERTH: Carine Bougnague, Managing Director | Natacha Delsinne, PR & Events Manager | Yann Le Flour, Education Coordinator | Camille Poli & Leopoldine Hallynck, Festival Assistants

participating

FRENCH EMBASSY IN AUSTRALIA: H.E. Mr Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France to Australia

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CULTURAL OFFICE: Eric Soulier, Cooperation and Cultural Counsellor | Chloé Pradal-Morand,Assistant | Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, Cultural Attachée and Artistic Director of the Festival We would like to take this opportunity to say merci to our valued Festival partners!

SYDNEY

BRISBANE

PERTH

CHAUVEL CINEMA Cnr Oatley Rd & Oxford St, Paddington

PALACE BARRACKS CINEMAS 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane

CINEMA PARADISO 164 James St, Northbridge

PALACE NORTON STREET CINEMAS 99 Norton St, Leichhardt

PALACE CENTRO CINEMAS 39 James St, Fortitude Valley

LUNA ON SX 13 Essex St, Fremantle

PALACE VERONA Cnr Oxford & Verona Streets, Paddington

MELBOURNE

WINDSOR CINEMA 98 Stirling Highway, Nedlands

HAYDEN ORPHEUM PICTURE PALACE 380 Military Road, Cremorne

PALACE BALWYN CINEMA 231 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn

HOBART

RIVERSIDE THEATRES Cnr Church & Market Streets, Parramatta

PALACE BRIGHTON BAY 294 Bay St, Brighton

STATE CINEMA 375 Elizabeth St, North Hobart

CASULA POWERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula

PALACE CINEMA COMO Cnr Toorak Rd & Chapel St, Sth Yarra

CANBERRA

PALACE WESTGARTH CINEMAS 89 High St, Northcote

PALACE ELECTRIC CINEMA NewActon Nishi, 2 Phillip Law St, Canberra

BYRON BAY PALACE BYRON BAY CINEMA 108 -110 Jonson St, Byron Bay

KINO CINEMAS 45 Collins St, Melbourne

ADELAIDE

ALL NATIONAL AND LOCAL SPONSORS: without your financial and in-kind support the Festival would not be possible. UNIFRANCE FILMS and the DÉPARTEMENT CINÉMA De L’INSTITUT FRANÇAIS AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS: Curious Film, Entertainment One, Madman Entertainment, NewVision Films, Palace Films, Regency Media, Rialto Distribution, Studiocanal, Transmission Films, Umbrella Entertainment, Vendetta Films FRENCH DISTRIBUTORS: ARP, Be for films, Elle Driver, Films Distribution, Gaumont, Le Pacte, Other Angle Pictures, Pathé, Realitism Films, The Festival Agency, Wild Bunch EXHIBITION PARTNER PALACE CINEMAS: Antonio Zeccola, Benjamin Zeccola, Elysia Zeccola Hill, Antony Zeccola, Stephanie Zeccola, Genevieve Kelly, Paulette Arvizu, Kim Petalas, Joanne Wust, Ingrid van den Berghe, Anna Kouts, Georgina Stegman, Kimberley Allan, Renato Fonti, Karen Karpinski and Yolanda Sulser FESTIVAL PARTNER EXHIBITORS: Adam Blackshaw, Tracey Langner, Paul Dravet and Rachell Baker SPECIAL THANKS to Festival Patrons Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, Sarah Reese, FATS Digital, Big Words, Max Flint, and Carbon8 SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SHORT FILM COMPETITION JURY: Robin de Michelena, Dimitri Andreatidis, Antonio Zeccola, Sandy George, Veronica Gleeson and Professor Herman Van Eyken Thanks to all Festival volunteers. ARTWORK: Caitlin Burden GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Melissa Keogh WEBSITE: Tip Top Web PUBLICITY: Annette Smith (Ned & Co), Steven Watt, Felipe Benabo, Adriana Bergovich

PALACE NOVA EASTEND CINEMAS 3 Cinema Place, Adelaide

acknowledgments

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Good Morning Sir/Madam,

festival sponsors private screening

I would like to thank your Team for the French Film Festival 2015. I saw 8 French Movies this year and it was of high quality.

festival program 2015

Keep up the great work. Kind Regards, Rosemary M

Bonjour,

@J_A_Pritchard: Have seen some amazing films @AFFFF2015 Thanks @AFMelbourne1 and @ palacemelbourne !

@dickiegee: @AFFFF2015 Mon dieu, Melanie Laurent’s Breathe is intense! France is leading the way for women film directors

@AdeleClack: Saw a @AFFFF2015 film finally, loved it & I didn’t even cry! Samba is brilliant! Never would’ve thought a refugee story could be a comedy!

@keough_william: Had a great nite last night @ AFFFF2015 Saw ‘Gemma Bovary’. Félicitations pour un excellent festival Je vous souhaite une très belle journée.

@mightymy9: Off to my final #AFFrenchFilmFest movie, #TheNewGirlfriend. Been a great festival @AFFFF2015!!!

@buckle22: If you were thinking of seeing GIRLHOOD at the @AFFFF2015 but haven’t yet, you should. It is outstanding. The superior ‘-hood’.

@fuzzylogic1206: Chaque année I forget how popular @ AFFFF2015 is, book at the dernière minute only to find there are all of deux seats left in Row B #sigh

I just love French Films and what a delight the French Film Festival was (yet again) this year in 2015. I saw 5 films and loved every one of them. Next year I will purchase a 5 or more film ticket to make it easier, I wanted to see more! Thank you for organizing the French Film Festival 2015 and keep on doing it, as it can only get bigger and better.

@dickiegee: Full house for Before the Winter Chill @ AFFFF2015 today. Great film. Luxembourg and Kristin Scott Thomas look stunning. #FrenchFilmFestival

private screening, new caledonia tourism

Regards, Sandra

sponsors facebook

private screening, avene

Barb Whiter Wonderful film - saw it last night in Melb Balwyn Palace - all the talk coming out was of how fantastic the casting, the songs etc were. Go! Judy Goldsmith just saw Tokyo Fiancee. It made me laugh & cry & reminded me just how much j’adore Japan. A wonderful movie. Merci!

In 2015, Michelin has decided to come back as a Red Carpet Sponsor of the French Festival... The quality of the venues and the movies which have been selected this year were above our expectations! And thanks to the professionalism of the Alliance Francaise Team, we will obviously be part of the journey next year! Congratulations for this nice event which contributes heavily to the promotion of the French Cultural Exception! Cédric Binoit Managing Director Michelin Oceania

New Caledonia Tourism is proud to have been a sponsor of the 26th edition of the French Film Festival. We were very pleased with the exposure and the quality of the total package, especially the 30 second ads before screenings, and the chance to organize a private screening for our key contacts. The demographics of the French Film Festival are very much aligned with the ones New Caledonia Tourism is reaching out to making the relationship a no-brainer. But just as important is the professionalism and commitment of the French Film Festival / Alliance Francaise staff. A fantastic team focusing on providing returns to all those they are associated with. Caroline Brunel Account Director Australia – New Zealand, New Caledonia Tourism

testimonials

à l’année prochaine see you in 2016

contact

Patricia Noeppel - Detmold

NATIONAL Festival Manager Alliance Française de Sydney 257 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000 E: patrician@afsydney.com.au T: (02) 9292 5741 M: 0452 530 307