Founded in 1997 by the Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF), The American French Film Festival, formerly known as the COLCOA French Film Festival, was created through a unique partnership between the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, SACEM and the Writers Guild of America West. Today, it is the world’s largest festival dedicated to French film and television, as well as the second-oldest festival in Los Angeles. Since its launch, the festival has presented more than 1,200 French films and series to Hollywood.
An Anniversary Lineup
The 30th edition brings together 60 films, series and shorts, including Minotaur by Andrey Zvyagintsev, France’s entry for the 2027 Oscars, God Is Shy by Jocelyn Charles, One Day We’ll Make Love by Jérôme Bonnell, and Hélène Lam Trong’s documentary Inside Gaza. It will open on November 3 with In Waves, Phuong Mai Nguyen’s adaptation of AJ Dungo’s graphic novel, produced by Silex Films. It marks the first time an animated feature has opened TAFFF.
Of the 60 titles presented, 58 are running for the TAFFF Awards. Audiences will vote for three categories: film, television and shorts. For the 18th year, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) will present the Critics’ Choice Award as well as a Debut Film Award. A student jury will present the American Students Award, while two professional juries will select the best series and best short film. The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony on November 8 at the DGA.
Bringing Industry Professionals Together
The festival will also host the TAFFF Industry Program, in partnership with the CNC. Held at the Truffaut Theater from November 4 to 7, the program will bring industry professionals together for meetings and panel discussions on French - American creative collaboration. As part of this event, two panel discussions have been organized with the CNC:
- “Guarding the human touch: transatlantic perspectives on AI in creation” Wednesday, November 4, from 3:05 to 3:50p.m. - Truffaut Theater
- “Breaking the cliche: selling French films to a new generation of American viewers”
Thursday, November 5, from 3:15 to 4:00p.m. - Truffaut Theater
Both panel discussions will be followed by a networking event.
Alongside the festival, the CNC, through its department, Film France-CNC, will host the 4th edition of “U.S. Filmmaking in France: Living the French Experience,” on November 4, in partnership with Villa Albertine and Screen International.
The program will include : a presentation of France’s Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP); a panel showcasing the Emmy-nominated French visual effects work behind The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, as well as testimonials from international professionals who discovered France through Fam tours; and a discussion with Hacks executive producer Nate Young and production services company Meadow Pictures on filming the series’ grand finale in Paris.
CNC-Supported Productions at TAFFF: By the Numbers
- 45 of the 60 selected productions received CNC support, including 24 feature films, 12 series, 1 documentary and 8 short films.
- 13 films received support through the advance-on-receipt scheme, either before or after production.
- 6 animated films, all supported through CNC’s animation techniques funding scheme.
- 4 films received support through the Aide aux cinemas du monde funds
- 11 series received support through the CNC’s Audiovisual Support Fund.
