2016 French Film Festival Selection Announced

The 27^th iteration of the national festival will be showcasing 42 new contemporary features, one classic film and a new addition to the program: a showcase of five of France’s best television series. The selection of films has something for everyone with a smart balance of romance, comedy, drama, historical children’s and experimental features. As is the tradition for French film, almost all of the films focus on intense human connections. Rosalie Blum, a comedy-drama from renowned screenwriter Julien Rappeneau, in his directorial debut will be the festival’s opening film in its Australian debut. For filmgoers with stars in their eyes, there is a strong representation of French Film superstars in the programme, including Vincent Cassel in One Wild Moment and Mon Roi, Gerard Depardieu in Valley of Love, Juliette Binoche in The Wait and Marion Cotillard lending her voice to April and the Extraordinary World. And for those seeking something a little out of the ordinary, the festival has plenty to offer as well. Jean Luc Godard’s classic starring Brigitte Bardot, Contempt will be screening fully restored on closing night. La Belle Saison will examine France’s 1970s feminist movement in the context of its conservative past, while surreal director Michel Gondry brings Microbe & Gasoline, the story of two boys building a car from spare parts to travel across the French countryside. In a coup for the festival, Australian Director George Miller is on board as a patron of the event, joined by film reviewer, David Stratton. In a joint statement on the festival’s website, the pair note that the “annual French Film Festival has become the most popular national film event in Australia”. With films screening from Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April 24, the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas will once again host the festival. Alliance Francaise French Film Festival Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April 24 Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas affrenchfilmfestival.org