text:
Nancy Tartaglione
Wild Bunch takes stake in Spanish distributor Vertigo
20-Sep-2011Vertigo's existing team will remain in place and will continue to be led by co-founder Andres Martin.
Boyer responds to "French attack" on Directors Fortnight selection
27-Jun-2011Boyer says 2011 selection was attacked by French press before films were even screened.
The Letter takes top prize in Cannes Cinéfondation
20-May-2011The Cannes Cinéfondation and Short Films Jury, presided over by Michel Gondry, awarded their prizes on Friday evening to three films chosen from 1,600 submissions.
Double win for The Giants in Directors Fortnight
20-May-2011Belgian director Bouli Lanners' third feature, The Giants, has been awarded two prizes at this evening's Directors' Fortnight closing ceremony.
Take Shelter wins top prize at Cannes Critics Week
20-May-2011Special mention goes to Snowtown; ACID/CCAS goes to Les Acacias.
SND reports strong sales on Livid
19-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: SND has done a raft of sales on Livid, a vampire fantasy from Inside directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury.
StudioCanal has hot Cannes with Romantics, Photograph
19-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: StudioCanal's Harold van Lier says the market has been "exceptional" for the company which has completed strong pre-sales on its titles – a majority of which are now English-language productions.
Wide closes deals on This Is Not A Film
19-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Jafar Panahi film picked up in Italy and France
Other Angle reports biggest market ever
19-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Company closes raft of territory sales at Cannes 2011
Power trip
18-May-2011Xavier Durringer tells Screen that Thiérry Fremaux's decision to include Durringer's film The Conquest, which charts Nicolas Sarkozy's rise to power, in the Cannes line-up was a "total surprise".
New Europa sales organisation announces objectives
18-May-2011Europa International sales agent organisation aims to "make sure our voice is heard in Brussels"
Gaumont has busiest market ever, including US deal for The Conquest
18-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Music Box plans ambitious release.
Films Distribution moves deals on House of Tolerance
18-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Bertrand Bonello's competition title House Of Tolerance continues to sell well.
PTZ International closes deals on Headwinds
17-May-2011Jalil Lespert's film stars Audrey Tautou and Benoit Magimel.
Malick misses out
16-May-2011Terrence Malick was not on hand for the Tree Of Life press call, press conference and red carpet today in Cannes.
Wild Bunch, Weinsteins confirm multi-territory deal on The Artist
16-May-2011TWC has taken the film in the US as well as the UK, Australia, South Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Bouchareb hires Sienna Miller as his woman for Doc & Film project
16-May-2011Sienna Miller, Golshifteh Farahani and frequent collaborator Roschdy Zem star in Just Like A Woman
On The Road travels to Greece, Canada, Scandinavia
15-May-2011MK2 closes more deals on Walter Salles' upcoming road movie.
Other Angle gets third hit Lie
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Other Angle Pictures will handle world sales on La Verité Si Je Mens 3, the third installment of the mega-successful French franchise.
Le Pacte travels to Amazonia with Ragobert
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: White Planet director Thierry Ragobert will commence the 3D nature extravaganza Amazonia beginning in September with Jean Labadie's Le Pacte handling world ...
Bac takes on Fouche's Memories Corner
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: The newly-revamped Bac Films has taken international rights to Audrey Fouche's debut feature, Memories Corner.
Ossard gets into the space race
14-May-2011Producers Chris Bolzli and Claudie Ossard are gearing up for their latest venture, Gagarin: Race For The Stars
Films Distribution heats up sales for Mia Hansen-Love's Goodbye
14-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Buyers include Artificial Eye for the UK and Palace for Australia.
Elle Driver takes on Will Ferrell-produced The Bachelorette
14-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Cast includes Kirsten Dunst and Adam Scott.
Wild Bunch takes on Lu's Chinese epic The Last Supper
14-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Wild Bunch has acquired The Last Supper from City Of Life And Death director Lu Chuan.
CNC, Film France tout results of French rebate
13-May-201131 projects have tapped the TRIP rebate
MK2 closes US deal on Something In The Air
13-May-2011IFC has picked up North American rights to Olivier Assayas' film.
PTZ takes on Eve Ensler's directorial debut starring Jane Fonda
13-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: PTZ International is packaging a new project from Vagina Monologues creator Eve Ensler
Wide takes on Donald Trump documentary
13-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: You've Been Trumped about mogul's controversial resort in Scotland
Elle Driver's slate ranges from royalty to grindhouse
12-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Cutting-edge French sales and finance outfit Elle Driver has boosted its Cannes slate with several new titles including new grindhouse picture Skinny Dip.
Wild Bunch heats up sales for Eva, Lay The Favorite
12-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: The Weinstein Company takes English-speaking territories on Eva; UK deals signed for The Angels' Share and Carnage.
Memento starts sales for Cantet's Foxfire
12-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Artificial eye takes UK, Golem takes Spain.
Wild Bunch's slate includes new films from Castellitto, Frears, Ozon
11-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Castellitto's Twice Born to star Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch; Frears' Lay The Favorite boasts Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hall; Ozon's
StudioCanal strikes big Block deal with Sony
11-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: StudioCanal has announced a 7-figure deal on Attack the Block with
Gaumont cooks up The Chef with Jean Reno
11-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: French major also announces two sales on Quad's buzzy Untouchable.
Wide takes on Panahi's This Is Not A Film
11-May-2011Wide Management takes on Cannes selection from Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb
MK2 shines to Hermanus' Beauty
11-May-2011MK2 has announced the acquisition of a handful of official selection titles including Oliver Hermanus' Un Certain Regard entry Beauty.
Other Angle takes on Back To Square One
9-May-2011France's Other Angle has announced the acquisition of Back To Square One, a comedy produced by Alain Goldman.
The French 50
6-May-2011France has a dynamic film industry with a global outlook, and its leading players will all be in Cannes. Screen profiles the industry insiders, producers, distributors, sales companies and financiers it pays to know
Film France members have record 25 features in Cannes
6-May-2011Film France, the national film commission which groups together a network of 40 regional commissions, has announced that a record number of films in this year's Cannes selection have been aided by its members throughout the country.
Cannes 2011 Market Buzz: UK and international sellers
5-May-2011Hot projects from UK and international sales companies include two Kevin Macdonald films, Mike Newell's Great Expectations, and Margaret Thatcher story The Iron Lady.
Abel Ferrara wraps shoot for 4:44 starring Willem Dafoe
4-May-2011Partners on film are Fabula, Funny Balloons and
Pretty Pictures takes French rights to Detachment
29-Apr-2011Tony Kaye's drama premiered earlier this week at Tribeca and boasts a star-studded cast of Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner, James Caan, Tim Blake Nelson, Bryan Cranston, William Petersen and newcomers Betty Kaye and Sami Gayle.
Cannes Classics lineup announced
26-Apr-2011Lineup includes retored prints of films by Bertolucci, Kubrick, Rosselini and Melies
The Lords, Nicostratos among Other Angle line-up for Cannes market
25-Apr-2011France's Other Angle has announced its line-up for the upcoming Cannes Film Market with hot new project The Lords leading the pack.
Directors Fortnight selections include new films from Antoniak, Téchiné, Runarsson
19-Apr-2011Twenty five titles selected for busy line-up, including six debut films and the first indigenous Palawanon film.
Cannes Critics Week includes Snowtown, The Slut, Take Shelter
18-Apr-2011Seven features selected; French special screenings will bookend the event (May 12-20).
Cannes 2011 analysis: Four women, two debuts in competition
14-Apr-2011Films in official selection are from 33 countries; total submissions were 1,715.
Cannes unveils Competition, Out of Competition, Un Certain Regard line-ups
14-Apr-2011Competitors include Almodovar, Ceylan, Dardennes, Kawase, Kaurismaki, Malick, Miike, Ramsay and more.
Bong Joon Ho to lead Cannes Camera d'Or jury
7-Apr-2011The jury selects best debut film from across Cannes official selection.
Lee Chang-dong, Jerzy Skolimowski to head Cannes Critics Week jury
7-Apr-2011Cannes Critics Week has announced the appointment of Lee Chang-dong and Jerzy Skolimowski as jury presidents for the 50th anniversary edition.
TF1 teams with EuropaCorp for miniseries Flight Of The Storks
1-Apr-2011TF1 International is teaming with EuropaCorp Television for a €10m miniseries based on Jean-Christophe Grangé's best-selling novel, The Flight Of The Storks.
Elmosnino, Chabat to start in TF1's War of The Buttons
15-Mar-2011TF1 International has locked in Eric Elmosnino and Alain Chabat to star in its version of War Of The Buttons.
Laetitia Casta joins Buttons for Barratier and Wild Bunch
3-Mar-2011Christophe Barratier directing The War Of The Buttons, with other cast including Kad Merad and Gerard Jugnot.
Of Gods And Men, Polanski triumph at Cesars
27-Feb-2011The Cesar Awards, France's equivalent to the Oscar, were handed out in Paris on Friday night [25] with Of Gods And Men taking the best film prize.
Other Angle takes on new trio
13-Feb-2011France's Other Angle has added three films to its Berlin slate. All Our Desires, from director Philippe Lioret, is an adaptation of Emmanuel Carrère's book, D'Autres Vies Que La Mienne, which matches Marie Gillain and Vincent Lindon as a novice and an experienced judge.
Cherien Dabis heads for Summer with Memento
12-Feb-2011May In The Summer will star Dabis and Hiam Abbas.
Wild Bunch goes full circle with Meirelles' 360
10-Feb-2011Busy Wild Bunch EFM slate also includes Pete Doherty's acting debut in Confession Of A Child Of The Century.
Coach14 closes first deal on Azazel Jacobs' Terri
7-Feb-2011Also, sales outfit takes on another Sundance title, On The Ice.
Memento takes on Pen-ek Ratanaruang's Headshot
31-Jan-2011Promo reel to launch at EFM.
Coach14 takes international rights to Azazel Jacobs' Terri
27-Jan-2011Sundance competitor will have private screenings during EFM.
Le Pogam leaves EuropaCorp but remains shareholder
27-Jan-2011EuropaCorp has announced the resignation of co-founding partner Pierre-Ange Le Pogam.
France's Orange plans to acquire video site Dailymotion
25-Jan-2011French telcom giant Orange has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire 49% of the capital of Dailymotion, the French video website.
Of Gods and Men leads Cesar nominees
21-Jan-2011Xavier Beauvois Cannes Grand Prix winner gets 11 nominations; Gainsbourg and The Ghost Writer follow with eight each.
France's Orange Cinema channels and TPS Star to merge
20-Jan-2011The strategic partnership will fuse the 5-channel bouquet and TPS Star under one roof which will be held in a 50-50 partnership by the two parent companies.
TF1 acquires world sales rights to War of The Buttons
19-Jan-2011TF1 International will begin shopping the project at next month's EFM with Yann Samuell on board to direct.
French film foreign admissions drop 18% in 2010
14-Jan-2011France's film export body, Unifrance, has reported export figures for 2010 with a 17.9% drop in foreign admissions from 2009.
TF1 adds two new comedies to slate
10-Jan-2011Unifrance Rendez Vous slates includes Wok The Kasbah and The Day I Saw Your Heart.
Wild Bunch's next Asterix to star Baer, Deneuve
7-Jan-2011Wild Bunch's Unifrance Rendez-Vous with French Cinema slate also includes Despentes' Bye Bye Blondie starring Emmanuelle Beart; and Philippe Garel's That Summer.
Robert De Niro to lead Cannes 2011 jury
6-Jan-2011De Niro starred in Palme d'Or winning Taxi Driver in 1976.
Wild Bunch takes on Asterix Chez Les Bretons
20-Dec-2010The $70m+ film has confirmed Gerard Depardieu reprising his role as Obelix.
Raoul Ruiz awarded Louis Delluc prize
17-Dec-2010The director has been awarded with France's prestigious Louis Delluc prize for his Mysteres De Lisbonne.
UGC announces cut-price ticket scheme
8-Dec-2010French distributor UGC will show 26 top titles from 2010 at a reduced rate of €3 for one week in January.
Haneke plans February start of shoot for Love
24-Nov-2010Michael Haneke is currently prepping his next project, Love, with stars Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva and frequent collaborator Isabelle Huppert.
Carlos, Of Gods and Men among Prix Louis Delluc shortlist
24-Nov-2010France's prestigious Prix Louis Delluc has announced its preliminary shortlist for this year's competition. Eight films will vie for the 73-year-old award which last year went to Jacques Audiard's A Prophet.
The Monk among strong AFM sellers for Memento Int'l
21-Nov-2010Memento Films International has announced strong sales following the AFM.
Chris Rock to co-star in Julie Delpy's 2 Days In New York
5-Nov-2010Rezo selling project, which is now shooting in New York for six weeks.
Coach 14 gets new investment from Olive's Arshad
5-Nov-2010French sales outfit Coach14 is teaming with investor Farhad Arshad to back acquisitions of new titles.
Wild Bunch comes on board for Cassavetes' Yellow, with new backing
5-Nov-2010Private equity partner rescues film from financial woes; shooting to start in December.
TF1 takes on two English-language thrillers
4-Nov-2010TF1 International has added two new English-language projects to its slate which it will be proffering at the AFM this week. Both films, 388 Arletta Avenue and Hobo With A Shotgun, hail from Canada.
Wild Bunch comes on board for Wong Kar Wai's Grandmasters
3-Nov-2010Wild Bunch's slate also includes Under The Hawthorn Tree, Arrietty, The Moth Diaries, The First Beautiful Thing and The Squad.
Open Water team moves into Silent House remake with Elle Driver
3-Nov-2010French sales outfit Elle Driver is moving into full-on financing with an English-language reimagining of Uruguayan horror film Silent House.
SND to start pre-sales on 3D Asterix
21-Oct-2010SND will launch pre-sales of Asterix: The Land Of The Gods at the upcoming AFM, the company said on Thursday.
EuropaCorp strikes deal with Universum for German-speaking Europe
27-Sep-2010EuropaCorp has entered into an agreement with Germany's Universum Film which will give the latter all media rights to the French studio's next 23 productions.
Sylvain Estibal starts shoot for debut feature
21-Sep-2010Principal photography has begun on When Pigs Have Wings, the feature directorial debut from Sylvain Estibal, France's Marilyn Productions announced.
Pathe names Ivernel chairman of exhibition circuit EuroPalaces
15-Sep-2010Further to the announcement earlier this week of changes to Pathe's directorship in France as well as additions to its board, Pathe UK on Wednesday [15] announced the appointment of the company's executive vice-president Francois Ivernel to the post of chairman of exhibition circuit EuroPalaces.
TF1 takes on Greed
14-Sep-2010TF1 International has acquired Greed by Eric Guirado and will begin world sales in Toronto.
Dany Boon and Lisa Axuelos to join Pathe executive board
13-Sep-2010Pathe has announced the appointment of two new members to its executive board.
Wild Bunch takes on The Last Furlong, The Girl Is In Trouble; Potiche a hot seller
13-Sep-2010Wild Bunch has acquired two new projects as Toronto rolls along this week.
Garcia's Mother and Child wins in Deauville
12-Sep-2010A week filled with several films about family wrapped up on a sunny note this weekend in Normandy where the Deauville Festival of American Film awarded its jury prize to Mother And Child.
Deauville to welcome David Chase, John C. Reilly, Zac Efron
13-Aug-2010The Deauville Festival of American Film this year will add a TV component for the first time.
Lagardere to launch IPO for 20% Canal Plus stake
2-Jul-2010The French company is moving ahead with plans after failing to reach an agreement with majority shareholder Vivendi.
Elle Driver sells strong on Rubber, Silent House, The Assault
1-Jun-2010French sales company has a busy Cannes market, also including Women Are Heroes and In Your Hands.
Wild Bunch reports hot Cannes sales on Of Gods and Men, Kaboom
24-May-2010The company has one if its best recent markets, with more deals for Burnt By The Sun 2, Godard's Film Socialisme, We Are What We Are and
Weerasethakul's Uncle Boonmee takes Palme d'Or
23-May-2010Grand Prize goes to Xavier Beauvois' Of Gods And Men; Amalric wins directing prize for On Tour.
Wide closes deals on Gigola, Nannerl
20-May-2010Gigola is set for an early-2011 release in Cananda.
Soldini's What More Do I Want? sells to five territories
20-May-2010Pyramide International has closed further deals on Silvio Soldini's film.
Films Distribution travels with Cleveland sales
20-May-2010Films Distribution has closed deals on three Directors' Fortnight titles including Cleveland Versus Wall Street (pictured).
Fabrice du Welz stirs up serial killers
18-May-2010The film will be based on the true story of 1940s serial killers Martha beck and Raymond Fernandez.
ARP takes French rights to Biutiful
18-May-2010ARP will distribute Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's competition entry Biutiful in France.
Icon strikes UK deal for The Pack
18-May-2010Icon takes UK rights to The Pack, further deals expected shortly.
Memento closes deals on Moll's The Monk
18-May-2010Deals done with Portugal (Ecofilmes), Hungary (Mokep), Czech Republic (North Video), Russia (Art Pictures) and Benelux (Lumiere) with the UK in talks.
Cannes selection adds Mammuth making-of doc
18-May-2010Fred Poulet's documentary is sold by Funny Balloons.
Mammuth heads to US for Funny Balloons
17-May-2010French sales company Funny Balloons has had a run on Berlin title Mammuth, which has been a runaway arthouse success in France.
Dizzy deals for Blonde, Wild Bunch
17-May-2010Buyers snap up a raft of Wild Bunch titles including Blonde and competition entries Of Gods And Men, Burnt By The Sun 2.
Gaumont strikes deals for Santapprentice, Twelve
17-May-2010Santapprentice is a 2D feature, co-produced in association with The Cartoon Saloon, about a reluctant-to-retire Santa searching for a replacement.
EuropaCorp ticks with HP for Boy With Cuckoo-Clock Heart
16-May-2010The companies will collaborate on technology for the animated featre.
Jessica Biel to star in SND's thriller The Tall Man
16-May-2010French director Pascal Laugier will make his English-language debut with the project.
Delpy, Films Distribution soar with Skylab
16-May-2010Delpy will direct and star in the project alongside Aure Atika and Noemie Lvovsky.
France's UMedia picks up Little Sparrows and Knifer
16-May-2010French outfit UMedia has picked up two new films to add to its lineup.
Pyramide wells Cosa widley, including US deal to Film Movement
15-May-2010France's Pyramide International has sold Silvio Soldini's Cosa Voglio Di Piu to Film Movement for North America, the company told Screen.
Bille August takes train to Lisbon
15-May-2010Perrine Teze's PTZ International is setting up and selling the $10m film, which will shoot early next year.
StudioCanal lines up Diane Kruger for chase thriller
15-May-2010The actress will play a French journalist kidnapped in Afganistan in StudioCanal's Forces Speciales.
Memento adds indie darlings project with So-Yong Kim
14-May-2010The slate also includes Juliette Binoche in Sponsoring and Cate Shortland's Lore.
Depardieu and Tahar Rahim join case of Lafosse film
14-May-2010MK2 has acquired and will co-produce the next film from Joachim Lafosse.
PTZ readies Nazi Officer's Wife with Rapace, Mikkelsen
14-May-2010Perrine Teze's PTZ International is putting together financing and handling sales on Barthelemy Grossmann's Nazi Officer's Wife.
Wide closes US deal on erotic drama Unfaithful
14-May-2010Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired all rights to Claude Peres' English-language film for the US.
Bouchareb hopes for 'spirit of mutual respect' for Hors La Loi Cannes screening
13-May-2010The Franco-Algerian director breaks his silence over the controversy surronding his Cannes competition title.
Rachid Bouchareb plans LA shoot for Belleville's Cop
13-May-2010The film was developed by Pathe and will shoot this summer in LA.
Naomi Watts to go Blonde with Wild Bunch, Andrew Dominik
13-May-2010Wild Bunch will handle international sales on Blonde, an adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' imaginary Marilyn Monroe memoir that Andrew Dominik is set to direct.
Coach 14 takes on Fortnight title All Good Children
13-May-2010The English language title, directed by Alicia Duffy, is screening in Director's Fortnight.
Films Distribution runs with The Pack
13-May-2010The film stars Yolande Moreau and Emilie Dequenne.
Zenovich plans Polanski follow-up documentary
12-May-2010Films Distribution will handle international sales (outside the US) on Marina Zenovich's follow-up to her hot-button Roman Polanski documentary, Roman Polanski : Wanted And Desired.
Cannes Market registration up 5% over 2009; 65 3D screenings planned
10-May-2010One notable hike comes from Latin America whose registrations are up 12%. First-time attendees include such territories as Qatar, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique and the Dominican Republic
Wild Bunch sees Enchantment from Microcosmos team
7-May-2010Wild Bunch has added The Field Of Enchantment, blending nature documentry and fiction love story, to its Cannes lineup.
Elle Driver announces three new titles ahead of Cannes
6-May-2010The French sales house also has five films in official selection, including The Silent House and Adrienn Pal.
Wild Bunch heads to Cannes with 9 official selection films
6-May-2010Cannes slate includes Beauvois' Of Gods and Men and Mikhalkov's Burnt By The Sun 2.
Wild Bunch lines up new films from Kusturica, Dardennes
5-May-2010Wild Bunch to handle Kusturica's Cool Water and an as-yet-untitled project project from the Dardenne brothers, both to shoot this summer.
Wild Bunch comes on board for Lou Ye's Love and Bruises
4-May-2010Shooting in France, the film stars A Prophet breakout Tahar Rahim; Wild Bunch will have the script in Cannes.
Le Pacte takes on La Terre Outragee, Dignitas and Just A Beginning
4-May-2010Le Pacte International has added the three titles to its slate in advance of the Cannes Film Festival.
Bertucelli's The Tree to close Cannes
29-Apr-2010English-language family drama stars Charlotte Gainsbourg with Marton Csokas and Aden Young.
Lily Sometimes to close Cannes Directors Fortnight
28-Apr-2010Fabienne Berthaud's film stars Diane Kruger and Ludivine Sagnier.
Kirsten Dunst, James Franco to close Critics' Week
22-Apr-2010Short films by the two actors will bring this year's Critics Week sidebar to a close on May 20.
Cannes unveils Critics Week selection
20-Apr-2010Seven films from first time directors will compete in main selection; Michel Leclerc's The Names Of Love, starring Jacques Gamblin, named as opening film.
Cannes Directors Fortnight line-up announced
20-Apr-2010Familiar names making the fortnight grade include Christoffer Boe and Louis Garrel
Carlos added to Cannes line-up
19-Apr-2010Olivier Assayas' biography of famed terrorist Ilich Ramierez Sanchez will feature out of competition.
Memento picks up The Monk
19-Apr-2010The gothic suspense thriller stars Vincent Cassel and Deborah Francois
Beckinsale, Del Toro to join Tim Burton on Cannes jury
15-Apr-2010Actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno and writer-director Emmanuel Carrere also confirmed.
Cannes Competition line-up unveiled
15-Apr-2010Screen brings you the 2010 Cannes Competition line-up, which includes Mike Leigh's Another Year and Mathieu Amalric's Tournee.
MK2 boards web piracy doc Hackonomics ahead of Cannes
13-Apr-2010MK2 has announced a new documentary, Hackonomics - No Hacking, No Surfing, which will go into production in autumn of this year.
Pont Chafer appointed head of sales at Coproduction Office
13-Apr-2010She replaces Sarah Calderon who has left to join Karma Films
France's Wide Management starts documentary arm
9-Apr-2010Wide Management has created a specialty arm, Wide House, devoted to production and sales of feature documentaries; Wide also announces slew of film sales.
31-Mar-2010Driven by US films with a few local gems, total admissions were the highest since 1982, with 200.9 million tickets sold.
The Hot List
24-Mar-2010Nancy Tartaglione profiles some of the major French films set for release in 2010
Turning a Prophet overseas
24-Mar-2010The success of Coco Before Chanel and A Prophet underlines the fact French cinema can score big internationally as well as at home. But what works overseas - and are distributors and audiences really hungry for French product? Nancy Tartaglione reports.
The Wild man
24-Mar-2010Wild Bunch co-founder Vincent Maraval outlines to Nancy Tartaglione some of the challenges he faces in selling French film overseas
Laws of attraction
24-Mar-2010After years of being bypassed by foreign productions — even those set in the territory — France is aiming to redress the balance. Nancy Tartaglione explores the impact the C2I international tax credit is having on attracting films to the country
Coproduction Office strikes six deals for Tetsuo: The Bullet Man
24-Mar-2010The Shinya Tsukamoto film will have the world premiere of its final cut at the Tribeca Film Festival next month.
6 appeal
23-Mar-2010M6-owned SND has risen swiftly to be one of France's most powerful film distributors. The company's president, Thierry Desmichelle, tells Nancy Tartaglione why he won't release more than 16 movies a year
Cannes Atelier participants to include Jaime Rosales, Edwin
22-Mar-2010Sixth edition of workshop will host 15 projects from 15 countries.
The Game Of Death sparks uproar in France
18-Mar-2010Rezo Films' The Game Of Death causes storm in French media after airing on France 2 on March 17.
France's CNC releases annual production report
10-Mar-2010The number of films produced in France dropped slightly in 2009 according to the CNC's annual report
MK2 secures multiple deals on Inferno
10-Mar-2010MK2 has sold Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno to several territories including the US, UK and Canada
SND secures multiple sales on Stranded
4-Mar-2010French horror film Stranded has been sold to multiple territories
A Prophet sweeps the board at France's Cesars
28-Feb-2010Jacques Audiard's Oscar nominated A Prophet won ten Cesar Awards in its home country of France on Saturday night.
Why Not's Pascal Caucheteux, Gregoire Solat win Toscan prize
23-Feb-2010The producers are awarded for their contribution to French cinema over the past year.
Wild Bunch reveals slew of EFM sales
23-Feb-2010Wild Bunch has concluded several deals on its slate following last week's European Film Market (EFM).
New projects benefit from France's new tax break
22-Feb-2010New French tax credit supports new projects, including new Woody Allen.
Other Angle seals raft of EFM deals
19-Feb-2010Other Angle Pictures has announced healthy sales on its slate following the EFM.
Greek Summer warms up Other Angle
15-Feb-2010France's Other Angle Pictures has picked up Greek Summer, a new project to be directed by Olivier Horlait.
Wild Bunch pitches Pancho, sells Zhang's Noodle Shop
13-Feb-2010Wild Bunch is set to reteam with Emir Kusturica for his upcoming Pancho Villa biopic, which it is rumoured will star Johnny Depp.
Rezo entices buyers with The Game Of Death
13-Feb-2010Rezo Films is launching sales on its new documentary The Game Of Death from directors Thomas Bornot, Alain-Michel Blanc and Gilles Amado.
Le Danse sets rhythm for Doc & Film
13-Feb-2010Paris-based Doc & Film International has closed further sales on the Cesar-nominated documentary La Danse,The Paris Opera Ballet.
Delpy, Rezo return for another 2 Days
12-Feb-2010Rezo Films and Julie Delpy are reteaming for a follow-up to Delpy's 2007 feature directing effort, 2 Days In Paris.
Wild Bunch head to EFM with Rebecca H
7-Feb-2010Wild Bunch has picked up the next project from director Lodge Kerrigan, Rebecca H. The film is the New York-born director's first since 2004's Keane (pictured).
Tim Burton named Cannes jury president
27-Jan-2010Tim Burton has been named as president of the jury for the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.
A Prophet leads Cesars with 13 nominations
23-Jan-2010France's Academie Des Arts Et Techniques Du Cinema announced the nominees for the Cesar awards in Paris on Friday.
Other Angle takes international sales on Raed Andoni's Fix Me
19-Jan-2010France's Other Angle has acquired Sundance competitor Fix Me for international sales.
French films attract 66m admissions internationally
17-Jan-2010As part of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous with French Cinema which wrapped up over the weekend, the organising body responsible for promoting French film around the world announced export figures for 2009.
Philippe Lioret's Welcome takes best film Lumiere Award
17-Jan-2010The Lumiere Awards were handed out in Paris on Friday [January 15] with the prize for best film going to Philippe Lioret's Welcome (pictured). The prizes are France's equivalent to the Golden Globes, given by foreign journalists covering French cinema.
Wild Bunch brings new Largo Winch tale to Rendez-Vous
14-Jan-2010Wild Bunch is kicking off the year at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous with the addition of six new titles to its line-up.
Le Pacte lines up trio of new titles for Rendez-Vous in Paris
12-Jan-2010Le Pacte will debut three new titles on its line-up for the Unifrance Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, which begins this week in Paris.
French Film-making legend Eric Rohmer dies at 89
11-Jan-2010French art-house legend Eric Rohmer has died, Agence France Presse reported Monday. The director passed away Monday morning in Paris at the age of 89 after being hospitalized last week.
French box office hit decade high in 2009
11-Jan-2010The French box office hit a high in 2009 with admissions rising by 5.7% on the previous year to 199.7m. It is a record for the decade, just ahead of 2004's 195.5m admissions.
Canal Plus increases spend on European film production
21-Dec-2009Canal Plus has announced the signature of a new accord with the French film industry that will see the pay-TV giant invest more of its annual revenue in film production.
A Prophet takes Prix Louis Delluc in France
11-Dec-2009Jacques Audiard's A Prophet has won France's Louis Delluc prize for 2009. The film is France's entry for the foreign language Oscar.
A French Legende
10-Dec-2009With new films from Olivier Dahan, Roselyne Bosch and Forest Whitaker in the pipeline, Alain Goldman — one of France's leading producers — tells Nancy Tartaglione his recipe for international film-making
Elle Driver closes sales on Warwick Thornton's Samson And Delilah
8-Dec-2009French sales outfit Elle Driver has done brisk sales on Warwick Thornton's Camera d'Or winner Samson And Delilah.
Three Cannes competition titles vie for Prix Louis Delluc
21-Nov-2009The shortlist for the Prix Louis Delluc has been announced with Cannes favorites among the eight films in line for the award.
Le Pacte finds international homes for Ozon's Le Refuge
18-Nov-2009Jean Labadie's Paris-based sales and distribution outfit Le Pacte has racked up a raft of international sales on Francois Ozon's Le Refuge.
Coach 14 to sell Castro's Daughter from Moresco
9-Nov-2009Coach 14 has picked up foreign sales rights to Bobby Moresco's Castro's Daughter. The film is the true story of Alina Fernandez, who was the product of a love affair between Fidel Castro and Cuban socialite Naty Revuelta.
Medem's Room In Rome finds US home with IFC
6-Nov-2009IFC has acquired US rights to Julio Medem's Room In Rome from Wild Bunch. The film is a remake of Chilean film En La Cama which was that country's foreign language Oscar submission for 2007.
Other Angle brings Five Brothers to buyers
5-Nov-2009After a strong start earlier this year, newcomer Other Angle has announced three fresh projects for the AFM. The first is a thriller directed and produced by Alexandre Arcady, Five Brothers.
France at AFM
4-Nov-2009A project with real bite, cabaret nights and seeing red.
Celluloid Dreams boards films from Gansel, Wiseman
4-Nov-2009Celluloid Dreams is entering the AFM with a pair of sexy new films. We Are The Night comes from The Wave director Dennis Gansel and Rat Pack Filmproduktion. The Berlin-based female vampire drama stars Karoline Herfurth, Nina Hoss, Jennifer Ulrich, Anna Fischer and Max Riemelt.
Alain Goldman mounts French Holocaust epic with Gaumont
4-Nov-2009Producer Alain Goldman has reteamed with Gaumont for his latest production, La Rafle (The Roundup). The $29.5m (€20m) film, directed by Roselyne Bosch, is what Goldman calls "the French Schindler's List."
Wild Bunch AFM roster boasts Tetro, Zhang Yimou, Gregg Araki
2-Nov-2009Wild Bunch is announcing three new projects heading into this week's AFM as well as international sales for Francis Ford Coppola's Tetro.
TF1 makes market debut selling merged slate
30-Oct-2009TFI International will make its market debut selling titles from both its own slate and UGC's at next week's AFM. The slate includes new projects such as Redheads, the first film from Costa Gavras' son, Romain.
Petit Nicolas sets sights on becoming biggest French hit of 2009
30-Oct-2009Laurent Tirard's Petit Nicolas is poised to become the most successful French film of 2009.
Clint Eastwood wins first Prix Lumiere
19-Oct-2009The inaugural Grand Lyon Film Festival closed this weekend following the presentation of the first Prix Lumiere to Clint Eastwood, who was in town for the event ahead of shooting part of his latest film in Lyon and Paris.
Pathe appoints Olivier Cottet-Puinel as senior VP of business affairs
15-Oct-2009Pathe has announced the appointment of Olivier Cottet-Puinel to the post of senior vice president business affairs for its production and distribution divisions.
Six film-makers selected for latest Cannes Residence
13-Oct-2009The Cannes Residence has announced participants for its autumn session, which runs from October 1 to February 15.
France at Mipcom
1-Oct-2009Screen International brings you the profiles of French broadcasters Canal Plus, France 2 and 3, M6 and TF1.
Wild Bunch pulls Chanel from Zurich after Polanski arrest
30-Sep-2009French sales company Wild Bunch has pulled Jan Kounen's Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky out of the Zurich Film Festival in protest against Roman Polanski's arrest en route to the festival last Saturday (September 26).
Labadie's Le Pacte opens library sales division
30-Sep-2009Jean Labadie's Paris-based sales and distribution outfit Le Pacte is launching a library sales division.
Leading film-makers join calls for Polanski's release
29-Sep-2009Pedro Almodovar, Walter Salles, Bertrand Tavernier and Fatih Akin are among the film-makers that have joined Harvey Weinstein in signing the petition calling for the release of Roman Polanski.
MK2 picks up Gondry's Thorn and Siddon's Turn It Loose
28-Sep-2009MK2 has announced a deal with Michel Gondry's Partizan Films to acquire international sales rights to Alastair Siddons' breakdance documentary Turn It Loose and Gondry's documentary The Thorn in the Heart.
France sends Jacques Audiard's A Prophet to the Oscars
17-Sep-2009Jacques Audiard's A Prophet will represent France as its submission for the foreign language Oscar this year.
MK2 acquires Pedro Gonzalez Rubio's To The Sea
14-Sep-2009MK2 has acquired rights to Pedro Gonzalez Rubio's To The Sea, which will premiere in the Toronto Vision section later this week.
The Messenger takes grand prize at Deauville
14-Sep-2009Oren Moverman's The Messenger was awarded the grand prize at the Deauville Festival of American Film which wrapped Sunday night. Moverman's war drama also picked up the critics prize.
TFI International take Jew Suss and Father's Guests to Toronto
9-Sep-2009Along with the gala presentation of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's highly-anticipated Micmacs, TF1 International will have two new films in its line-up at the Toronto Film Festival.
Wild Bunch takes Makhmalbaf's Green Days to Venice
1-Sep-2009Wild Bunch has picked up Iranian director Hana Makhmalbaf's latest film Green Days ahead of Venice.
Nathalie Bloch Laine lands at EuropaCorp as producer
31-Aug-2009Former Canal Plus executive Nathalie Bloch Laine has joined Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam's EuropaCorp. as a producer, the company announced on Monday.
France SND takes worldwide sales on Capotondi's La Doppia Ora
26-Aug-2009France's SND has taken world sales on Giuseppe Capotondi's La Doppia Ora. The film will premiere in the official selection at Venice and screen in the Contemporary World Cinema section of Toronto.
Indie distribution update 2009: France
21-Aug-2009Female-oriented films enjoy a good first-half in France at the expense of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
Vote on French "three-strikes" piracy law delayed to September
22-Jul-2009France's National Assembly has unanimously voted to adopt two amendments to the controversial Creation and Internet anti-piracy law, although a final vote on the heavily revised bill has been delayed until September.
Deauville reveals line up for 35th edition
21-Jul-2009The Deauville Festival of American Film has unveiled its line-up for the upcoming 35th edition.
Three strikes and you're out...sort of
9-Jul-2009Nancy Tartaglione examines the implications of France's controversial Internet and Creation Law.
EuropaCorp fined for Taxi 2 death
30-Jun-2009Luc Besson's EuropaCorp has been fined $141,219 (€100,000) for the death of cameraman Alain Dutartre, who was crushed by a car during the filming of Taxi 2 in 1999.
Sarkozy taps Frederic Mitterrand as culture minister
24-Jun-2009French president Nicolas Sarkozy has reshuffled his cabinet with at least one key change affecting the entertainment business.
StudioCanal makes changes to production department
15-Jun-2009StudioCanal has announced the creation of a co-production and acquisition arm as well as a development arm within its French and European production department.
Besson's Cite du Cinema to open in 2012
12-Jun-2009Luc Besson's long-gestating studio project is kicking into high gear. The Cite du Cinema (Cinema City) project - first discussed by Besson seven years ago - will break ground this year for a planned opening in the first trimester of 2012.
France's piracy law dealt crushing blow by Constitutional Court
10-Jun-2009France's top legislative court, the Constitutional Council, has decreed that a crucial element of the Creation and Internet piracy law passed on May 13 - the power to cut off Internet access to people caught downloading content illegally as part of a three strikes measure - is contrary to the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
Rap fans get digital preview of West Coast Theory
9-Jun-2009DVD distributor Potemkine is hoping to tantalize rap fans with an online preview of straight-to-DVD film West Coast Theory.
Kiarostami's Certified Copy begins shooting in Italy
8-Jun-2009MK2 has announced the start of production on the latest film from Abbas Kiarostami.
TF1 and SPHE launch video joint venture for French market
1-Jun-2009TF1 Video and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) are joining forces to distribute video in the French market.
Wild Bunch signs raft of Cannes deals
31-May-2009Wild Bunch has reported a raft sales on its Cannes line-up including US deals on Marina de Van's Don't Look Back, Bruno Podalydes' Park Benches and Lou Ye's Spring Fever.
Other Angle makes strong Cannes Marche debut
28-May-2009French sales company Other Angle reported robust business at its first Cannes Marche.
Heaven On Earth begins shooting in Croatia
25-May-2009Franco-Croatian co-production Heaven On Earth began shooting Wednesday (May 20) on the Adriatic coast of Croatia.
Top Un Certain Regard prize goes to Dogtooth
25-May-2009Un Certain Regard sidebar honoured Dogtooth by Greece's Yorgos Lanthimos with its Fondation Groupama Gan For Cinema prize on May 23 in Cannes.
Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon wins Palme d'Or
24-May-2009Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon won the Palme d'Or on Sunday night (May 24) in Cannes.
Ecumenical jury awards Looking for Eric
24-May-2009Ken Loach's Looking For Eric took top prize of the Ecumenical jury while special mention went to Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon.
Xavier Dolan's Mother sweeps up Directors' Fortnight prizes
23-May-2009Nineteen year old Canadian director Xavier Dolan swept the Directors' Fortnight prizes in Cannes Friday night for I Killed My Mother.
Cinefondation top prize goes to Baba
22-May-2009Zuzana Kirchnerova-Spidlova's short film Baba has been awarded the Cinefondation first prize.
Kounen to discover The Secret Histories Of The Dalai Lama
21-May-2009Returning to the Far East after his foray into the love life of fashion icon Coco Chanel, Jan Kounen will head to Tibet to shoot The Secret Histories Of The Dalai Lama.
Around The World drives strong Cannes for StudioCanal
20-May-2009As the market winds down, StudioCanal executive vice president Harold van Lier told ScreenDaily that the company has had the best Cannes in its history.
Wide signs co-production deals for Laure Charpentier's Gigola
20-May-2009Wide Management has concluded co-production deals with Spain and Belgium on its upcoming Gigola. The Marie Emilie Production for France has partnered with MG Films in Belgium and Mate Cantero in Spain.
Film Distribution closes deals on Happy Ever Afters at busy market
19-May-2009Films Distribution has reported a busy market concluding sales on Happy Ever Afters in Australia (Hopscotch) and Germany (Telepool) with US negotiations currently underway for the film, which stars Sally Hawkins.
Le Pacte to co-produce Nanni Moretti comedy We Have A Pope
19-May-2009Jean Labadie's Le Pacte will co-produce Nanni Moretti's next film, We Have A Pope. French sales company Wild Bunch will handle international sales.
Coach 14 sees The Way with Estevez and Sheen
18-May-2009Coach 14 has taken worldwide rights excluding Spain on the latest feature to be written and directed by Emilio Estevez, The Way.
StudioCanal sells Change of Plans
17-May-2009StudioCanal has sold Daniele Thompson's latest ensemble work Change Of Plans to IFC for US distribution.
UGC and TF1 eye merger
15-May-2009UGC International and TF1 International are planning a merger, ScreenDaily has learned.
Perrine Teze launches new sales venture
15-May-2009Former TF1 International/TFM Distribution chief Perrine Teze is back in business in Cannes with a new company, Perrine Teze International.
Rezo Films takes worldwide sales on Tsar, I Killed My Mother, Jaffa
15-May-2009Rezo Films has taken on world sales on three films in official selection this Cannes including Russian veteran Pavel Lungin's Tsar.
Other Angle sets sights on strong Cannes
14-May-2009New sales house Other Angle Pictures has been enjoying a bright run since its debut at the EFM in February.
Le Pacte takes Refuge with Ozon
14-May-2009After a first collabaration on Berlin competition entry Ricky, Le Pacte will reteam with director Francois Ozon for The Refuge.
Keanu Reeves to star in $25m action thriller Cartagena
14-May-2009Keanu Reeves will star in $25m (€18.4m) action-thriller Cartagena from Nick Wechsler Productions, 2929 Productions and Gaumont, who will also handle international sales.
Wild Bunch unleashes packed slate on Cannes
13-May-2009Wild Bunch has arrived in Cannes with a packed slate including Nikita Mikhalkov's $68.1m (€50m) follow up to Burnt By The Sun, and the next film from French master Jean-Luc Godard.
France in favour of adopting Creation and Internet law
12-May-2009France's lower house has voted 296 to 233 in favour of adopting the hotly-disputed Creation and Internet law.
Wild Bunch takes international rights on Ghobadi's Persian Cats
11-May-2009Wild Bunch will handle international sales on Bahman Ghobadi's No One Knows About Persian Cats.
Elle Driver adds Women Are Heroes to Cannes slate
11-May-2009Elle Driver, the Paris-based sales and acquisition outfit, has added a new project with the working title Women Are Heroes to its Cannes slate.
Dardenne Brothers to give Cannes Cinema Masterclass
8-May-2009The Dardenne brothers, Jean-Pierre and Luc, will give this year's Cinema Masterclass at the Cannes Film Festival.
Elle Driver takes on vibrator comedy with Everett, Hawkins, Pryce
8-May-2009Paris-based sales company Elle Driver has acquired Hysteria, a new UK comedy from director Tanya Wexler starring Rupert Everett, Sally Hawkins, Jonathan Pryce and Ashley Jensen.
Celluloid Dreams picks up world sales on The Dolphin
7-May-2009Celluloid Dreams has acquired the computer animated The Dolphin - Story Of A Dreamer based on Sergio Bambaren Roggero's best-selling novel. It has been writted by Michal Wogh and Eduard Schuldt, who is also directing.
TF1 to show promo of Jeunet's Micmacs at Cannes
7-May-2009TF1 International has announced its Cannes line-up including world premiere screenings, new titles and the first images of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Micmacs
Cannes finalises jury line-up
4-May-2009The Cannes Film Festival has announced the final lists of jury members for the 62nd edition of the festival.
France reintroduces internet piracy bill
30-Apr-2009The anti-piracy Creation and Internet Law was reintroduced in the French Parliament yesterday (April 29) following its rejection earlier this month.
Fanny Ardant's debut film added to Cannes line-up
30-Apr-2009The Cannes Film Festival has added a special out of competition screening for the directorial debut by legendary French actress Fanny Ardant.
StudioCanal appoints key staff at Optimum and Kinowelt
29-Apr-2009StudioCanal has made a series of senior appointment at its affiliates Optimum Releasing and Kinowelt.
Frederic Boyer appointed as Directors' Fortnight artistic director
29-Apr-2009The Societe des Realisateurs de Films (SRF), the organisation behind Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, has appointed Frederic Boyer as artistic director.
Le Pacte acquires French rights to Spring Fever
29-Apr-2009Le Pacte has picked up the French distribution rights to Lou Ye's Spring Fever.
French animation Les Lascars receives Critics' Week slot
28-Apr-2009Albert Pereira-Lazaro and Emmanual Klotz's animated feature LesLascars will receive a special out of competition screening at Cannes Critics'Week, which runs from May 14 – 22.
Cannes announces Cinefondation and short films line-up
28-Apr-2009Cannes Film Festival organisers have announced the line-up for the Cinefondation and short films competition.
MK2 picks up Dogtooth, The Misfortunates, Rien De Personnel
27-Apr-2009MK2 has announced pick-ups of Yorgos Lanthimos' Dogtooth and Felix van Groeningen's The Misfortunates.
Coach 14 acquires international sales rights for Police, Adjective
27-Apr-2009French sales house Coach 14 has acquired Corneliu Porumboiu's Police, Adjective for internationalsales. The film is running in the Un Certain Regard section of next month's Cannes Film Festival.
Roissy closes sales deals for Singing Nun tale Soeur Sourire
27-Apr-2009Shortly after announcing it had acquired Soeur Sourire; Roissy Films has closed sales with Canada andSwitzerland.
Pretty Pictures acquires three Chinese features
27-Apr-2009French distributor Pretty Pictures has acquired three films produced by China's August First Studios: My Long March, The First Of August and Night Attack.
Cannes president reveals digital streaming initiative
23-Apr-2009Cannes Festival president Gilles Jacob has unveiled a new digital initiative aimed at encouraging more young people to go to the cinema.
Almodovar, Von Trier, Tarantino lead heavyweight Cannes line-up
23-Apr-2009Pedro Almodovar, Lars Von Trier and Quentin Tarantino are among the established names in aCannes competition line-up that contained few surprises.
EuropaCorp appoints Steve Rubin as international marketing chief
21-Apr-2009EuropaCorp, the French film company founded by Luc Besson, has appointed industry veteran SteveRubin to head a newly created international marketing division.
Rien De Personnel to open Cannes Critics' Week
20-Apr-2009Rien De Personnel, the first feature by Mathias Gokalp, will open the 48th edition of Cannes Critics'Week, organisers announced on Monday (April 20).
Guardans appointed as director of Spain's ICAA
12-Apr-2009Following last week's appointment of Angeles Gonzalez Sinde as Spain's culture minister, Ignasi Guardans will become the new director of the ICAA (Institute ofCinematography and Audiovisual Arts), the country's film and TV body.
Bayona, Fresnadillo named as godfathers to Cannes Critics Week
12-Apr-2009Directors Juan Antonio Bayona and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo will act as Godfathers to Cannes Critics' Week for the 2009 edition.
Distribution - Market Report - France
9-Apr-2009French and US films have long vied for dominance at the French box office. In 2008, there were 52 US films or co-productions in the top 100. France produced 43 films in the top 100 for the year, only two of which were co-productions: Babylon A.D. (with the US) and Survivre Avec Les Loups (with Belgium and Germany).
Distribution - Market Report - France - Marketing 'ad spend is constantly going up'
9-Apr-2009How is theatrical film marketing changing'
Elisabeth Perlier joins sales team at Bac Films
17-Jul-2007Former Gemini Films international sales manager Elisabeth Perlier has joined the international sales team at Bac Films.
Rezo's Cannes slate include Sokurov's competitor Alexandra
3-May-2007In its third Cannes, Rezo Films' sales division is gearing up for a busy market. Three films on its line up are official selection titles along with two works in Critics' Week and new market films. In the official competition, Alexander Sokurov marks a return with Alexandra about a grandmother who goes to visit her grandson who is an officer based in Chechnya. The film stars Russian opera legend Galina Vishnevskaya and has been ...
Mrs Henderson to kick off Marrakech festival
26-Oct-2005The 5th annual Marrakech International Film Festival willkick off on November 11 with Stephen Frears MrsHenderson Presents opening the festivities.
MPA fears UNESCO ruling may lead to film quotas
24-Oct-2005The 15th annual Beaune Film Forum wrapped on Sunday after aweekend rife with discussion and debate surrounding Thursday's UNESCO vote onthe Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of CulturalExpressions.
Europa Corp cranks up Harlan Coben adaptation
5-Oct-2005French actor Guillaume Canet is in the middle of productionon his latest directorial effort Tell NoOne, based on American writer Harlan Coben'sbestselling thriller.Thefilm is produced by Alain Attal with EuropaCorp., M6 and Les Productions duTresor on a Euros 15m budget. EuropaCorp. will commence ...
Rezo strikes deals on Brize's Loved
4-Oct-2005Following a strong showing at the recent San Sebastian FilmFestival, Stephane Brize's Not Here To BeLoved has closed a string of distribution deals.France'sRezo Films has sold the film to Spain's Alta, Canada's Seville Pictures,Victory in Benelux, Odeon in Greece, Mokep in Hungary, Columbia's Cinemac andSwitzerland's Xenix. Negotiations ...
France opts for Christmas as Oscar choice
19-Sep-2005France haschosen Christian Carion's Merry Christmas as this year's entry for thebest foreign language film Oscar, controversially overlooking box office smash MarchOf The Penguins.
Cannes names Demier as general manager
15-Sep-2005The Cannes Film Festival hasannounced the appointment of Catherine Demier to the post of general manager.
StudioCanal names new president, unveils acquisitions
8-Sep-2005StudioCanal has announcedthe appointment of a new president, Olivier Courson.
Deauville sees thaw in Franco-US film relations
8-Sep-2005Franco-US political relations may be strained, but one wouldbe hard-pressed to notice at this year's Deauville Festival of American Film (Sept2-11), held in the Normandy region of France.
Films Distribution strikes US deal on Live And Become
2-Sep-2005French sales house FilmsDistribution has acquired several new titles, formed a new alliance andmade some of high-profile sales.
Deauville unveils American film line-up
18-Aug-2005The Deauville Festival of American Film has announced itscomplete line up for the 31st edition which will run from September2-11 in the Normandy town.AlainCorneau will head up the jury surrounded by directors Dominik Moll, BrigitteRouan and actors Dominique Blanc and Melvil Poupaud among others.
Wong Kar-wai's Lady shoot moves back to autumn
27-Jul-2005Wong Kar-wai's upcoming ALady From Shanghai looks set to moveinto production in the early autumn instead of an originally projected startdate of July.
French DVD revenues plateau as prices plunge
27-Jul-2005French consumers spentEuros 770.3m on DVD and VHS purchases in the first half of 2005, a one percentfall on the same period last year.
Admissions plummet as heatwave plays part in Fete du Cinema
30-Jun-2005The 21st edition of France'sFete du Cinema has recorded a 25% drop in attendance from the previous year.The three-day event logged 3.2 million admissions across the country.
Colonna leaves CNC post after nine months
2-Jun-2005After a nine month stint, CNCpresident Catherine Colonna has been named deputy minister of European Affairsby president Jacques Chirac's government.The ...
French court upholds Engagement ruling
French court upholds Engagement ruling
1-Jun-2005The Paris court of appeals Wednesday upheld its decision to blockJean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement from benefiting from French subsidies.
Sony Classics grabs Palme winner, targets Dylan biopic
31-May-2005Cannes Palme d'Or winner TheChild (L'Enfant) has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics (SPC)for US distribution, French sales house Celluloid Dreams announced today.
Cannes Market reports 2005 attendance rise
24-May-2005The 46th Cannes FilmMarket has announced an 8% increase in attendance for the 2005 edition.
Belgian Child snatches Palme d'Or
22-May-2005It was a mix of old and new at the awards ceremony for the58th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday night. Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and LucDardenne (pictured here) walked off with the Palme d'Or for their gritty, bleak film TheChild (L'Enfant). At presstime, their film had yet to secure a North American distribution deal.
Un Certain Regard rewards Romanian Death
22-May-2005Un Certain Regard
Young film-makers win funding at Cannes project market
22-May-2005In its first outing, the Cannes Film Festival'sproject market for young film-makers - the Atelier - has had an impressive 50%success rate.
Pretty Pictures falls for The Great Ecstasy
20-May-2005Paris-based distributor Pretty Pictures has taken Frenchrights on controversial Critics' Week title, The Great Ecstasy OfRobert Carmichael. The Thomas Clay directedfilm has shocked viewers thanks to a graphic gang rape scene, although reviewshave been generally positive.
Merry Christmas to Sony Pictures Classics
19-May-2005Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) won a bidding war to takemulti-territory rights for Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) yesterday,the first US deal for a film in official selection to be announced here inCannes,
Pact, British Directors, Ille de France plan conference
TFI takes world rights to Ong-Bak follow-up
19-May-2005French sales house TF1International has taken world rights to Tom-Yum-Goong starring Ong-BakphenomenonTony Jaa and directed by Ong-Bak's Prachya Pinkaew.
Comstock shells out coin for Wild Bunch's Coin
18-May-2005Along with sales to The Weinstein Company on Nomad and Outlander,French sales and finance house Wild Bunch has secured a financial co-producerfor Michael Civetta's Coin Locker Babies in Japan'sComstock.Comstock has come on board the surreal coming-of-agetale which stars Liv Tyler ...
French culture minister addresses Engagement controversy
17-May-2005France's culture ministerRenaud Donnedieu de Vabres doesn't want his country "to cut itself off" byrefusing certain countries access to subsidies.
Louis Malle collection sells for Pyramide
17-May-2005Pyramide International'scollection of newly-remastered Louis Malle films has sold strongly at Cannes.
Cuaron, Del Toro enter Pan's Labyrinth
16-May-2005Mexican filmmakers Guillermodel Toro and Alfonso Cuaron will produce the Spanish-language Pan'sLabyrinth, to be directed by delToro. The two have set up a production shingle, OMM Films, with FridaTorresblanco to co-produce the film alongside Spain's Telecinco.
Ben Ammar moves into Besson's Cinema City
15-May-2005Producer-businessman Tarak Ben Ammar hasannounced plans to move most of his post-production facilities into Frenchfilmmaker Luc Besson's Cinema City complex just outside Paris.In the past few years, Ben Ammar has beenon a buying spree of most of the post-production and sound facilities in Franceincluding LTC, Ex-Machina, Les Audis de Joinville ...
France's Pretty Pictures embarks on doc buying spree
15-May-2005Frenchdistributor Pretty Pictures is on a documentary buying spree with threebrand-new pick ups.
Gold Circle snaps up remake rights to Soundless
15-May-2005Gold Circle Films hasacquired remake rights to Mennan Yapo's Soundless which screened in the German Cinema section of theBerlin Film Festival in 2004.
Weinstein Company boards Bodrov's Nomad
15-May-2005The WeinsteinCompany has acquired a second film from French sales and finance outfit WildBunch this week.
Noe to set English-language debut in Japan
14-May-2005Pathe will produce the nextfilm from controversial French director Gaspar Noe. Enter The Void is an English-language Euros 10m film which isgearing up to shoot late this year.
Stars warm up Frost production
Auster rounds out cast for Inner Life
14-May-2005Sopranos star Michael Imperioli and French actress IreneJacob have signed up to star in Paul Auster's upcoming The Inner Life OfMartin Frost. Manchurian Candidate star Liev Schreiber is tipped to join them.
French pair launch Borsalino with focus on Asian film
13-May-2005Wild Bunch salesexecutive Gael Nouaille and Laurent Baudens, formerly of Gemini Films, are inCannes christening a new company which will specialise in the distribution ofvideo and TV rights for Asian films.
Karmitz heads to China, son takes the reigns at MK2
13-May-2005Veteran jack of all filmtrades Marin Karmitz is turning over the bulk of his business to son Nathaniel.Karmitz told Screen it was"change, but with continuity".
UGC International embraces Family Hero
13-May-2005French sales outfit UGCInternational is to handle Family Hero, the new film from Une Vie A T'Attendre director Thierry Kilfa starring Catherine Deneuve,Gerard Lanvin, Miou-Miou, Geraldine Pailhas and Michael Cohen.
Japan's Toshiba snaps up Lady Chatterley
Rezo sales arm makes Croisette debut with Countdown
12-May-2005Rezo Films International, the sales arm of French producer-distributorRezo Films, is hitting its first Cannes market with Russian action title Countdown.
UGC confirms closure of UK distribution arm
12-May-2005Following the sell-off of its UK exhibition circuit in Dec 2004, Frenchmajor UGC has confirmed that it is closing its UK distribution outfit UGC FilmsUK.
Lemming jump starts Cannes festival
11-May-2005The 58th CannesFilm Festival gets underway today with the opening ceremony and competitionscreening of Dominik Moll's Lemmingat 19.30.
Woo and Wong boost StudioCanal slate
11-May-2005Adding to their big-ticket Wong Kar-wai film A Lady From Shanghai, StudioCanal hascome to Cannes boasting a new collaboration with John Woo and a line-up thatincludes films from RichardGrandpierre and directors Diane Kurys and Xavier Beauvois
France's Pyramide unveils Cannes slate
9-May-2005The newly-christened PyramideInternational is heading into Cannes with a strong line up that includesseveral competition titles and will begin pre-sales on new films from directorTony Gatlif, Jean-Pierre Ameris and Julie Lopes-Curval among others.The company has one film in themain competition, Arnaud and Jean-Marie Larrieu's Peindre Ou Faire L'Amourstarring Sabine Azema, Daniel Auteuil, ...
Gemini to sell Auster's Inner Life at Cannes
6-May-2005Paolo Branco's Gemini Filmswill begin sales on the latest film from author and director Paul Auster, TheInner Life Of Martin Frost, at Cannes next week, the company told ScreenDaily.com.The Euros 3.5m project will beginshooting in mid-September in the US with casting to be confirmed.
Wild Bunch unveils wide ranging Cannes slate
6-May-2005Frenchsales and finance outfit Wild Bunch is heading into Cannes with a dynamic slatethat includes everything from big-budget sci-fi to art-househeartstring-tuggers.
60% increase in films at Cannes Short Film Corner
Europa starts new pictures from Keshishian, Perez
5-May-2005Adding to theiralready highly-charged slate - which includes Tommy Lee Jones' competitiontitle The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada and market film Revolver from Guy Ritchie - EuropaCorp. willbegin sales at Cannes next week on the next film from Madonna: Truth Or Dare director Alek Keshishian as well as theEnglish-language directing debut of Vincent Perez
Wide takes on sales for Critics' Week opener Invisibles
4-May-2005French sales and production outfit Wide Managementhas acquired international rights to Thierry Jousse's Critics' Week opener LesInvisibles. The film stars Laurent Lucas, Michael Lonsdale and MargotAbascal in a story of fleeting romance set in the world of electronic music.
Cannes adds Hong's Cinema to competition line-up
3-May-2005The Cannes Film Festival hasannounced the addition of Hong Sang-soo's A Tale Of The Cinema (Geuk-Jang-Jeon) to its official selection. The film will compete forthe Palme D'Or along with the films originally announced on April 19.
Quinta to release Chromophobia in France
2-May-2005Quinta Distribution will release Cannes closing film Chromophobia in France, Quinta president Tarak Ben Ammarconfirmed last week. The company also has world rights to the film directed byMartha Fiennes; Ammar is also producer on the film.
Celluloid picks up Euro sales on Three Times
29-Apr-2005CelluloidDreams will handle European sales for Hou Hsiao-hsien's Cannes competition entryThree Times (pictured), the Paris company said yesterday, after striking a deal with the film's French producers Paradis Films andOrly Films.
Cannes Market registration numbers on the rise
28-Apr-2005The number ofparticipants registered for the Cannes Film Market (May 11- 22) hasrisen to 6790, up 8% from last year's6260.
Funny Balloons acquires world rights to Cannes trio
28-Apr-2005French sales outfit FunnyBalloons has acquired world rights to three titles selected in Un CertainRegard at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival: Amat Escalante's Sangre,Marcelo Gomes' Cinema, Aspirinas E Urubus and Delwende by S.Pierre Yameogo.
Films Distribution readies director driven Cannes slate
27-Apr-2005When he's not busy fielding a barrage of calls from distributorshoning in on Christian Carion's Merry Christmas - which is screening outof competition at Cannes - Films Distribution's Francois Yon and his team areputting together a mighty line up heading into the Cannes market. The French sales outfits slate includes the next filmfrom Etre Et Avoir director Nicolas ...
Bac Majestic posts Euros 5.3m loss for 2004
27-Apr-2005French distribution group BacMajestic has announced a loss of Euros 5.3m for 2004 on revenues of Euros33.8m. This is compares with a net loss of Euros 11.5m in 2003 on revenues ofEuros 53.2m.
Cannes unveils Directors' Fortnight line-up
26-Apr-2005Twenty-onefilms will screen in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar of the Cannes FilmFestival, it was announced today (April 26).
France's Memento launches sales arm with Cannes title
22-Apr-2005France's Memento Films haslaunched a new sales and acquisitions arm which will debut with Hiner Saleem'sCannes competition title Kilometre Zero.
Bardem, Hayek, Woo join Kusturica on Cannes jury
22-Apr-2005After an extended wait, theCannes Film Festival has announced the composition of the juries overseeing themain competition as well as various sidebars.
Oguri's Forest uproots to Directors' Fortnight
22-Apr-2005Japanese film-maker Kohei Oguri, whose The ForgottenForest (Umoregi)was originally announced to run in the Un Certain Regard section of the CannesFilm Festival, has chosen to move the film to the Directors' Fortnightsidebar.
Breaking News: Cannes Critics' Week line-up unveiled
Cannes Critics' Week unveils line-up
21-Apr-2005International Critics' Weekartistic director Jean-Christophe Berjon has announced the selection for theupcoming 44th edition of the sidebar which runs during the CannesFilm Festival next month.
Cannes prepares to unveil competition choices
Breaking News: Cannes competition line-up unveiled
19-Apr-2005The Cannes Film Festival(May 11-22) unveiled its line-up this morning, with a string of establishedarthouse directors such as Wim Wenders, Jim Jarmusch, Gus Van Sant, DavidCronenberg and Lars von Trier set to compete for the Palme d'Or.
Cannes Un Certain Regard line-up
19-Apr-2005Sangre, dir:Amat Escalante (Mexico)Cinema, Aspirinas E Urubus, dir: Marcelo Gomes(Brazil)Schlafer, dir Benjamin Heisenberg (Austria)Falscher Bekenner, dir: Christoph Hochhausler (Germany)Down In The Valley, dir: David Jacobson (US)Tawa Dura Yanna, dir: Vimukthi Jayasundara (Sri Lanka)Voksne Mennesker, dir: Dagur Kari (Denmark)Yek Shab, dir: Niki Karimi (Iran)Hwal, dir: Kim Ki-duk (South Korea)Jewboy, ...
Cannes unveils 'classical' competition line-up
19-Apr-2005Dominik Moll's Lemmingwill open the 58th edition of the Cannes Film Festival (May 11-22).
Newcomers dominate Un Certain Regard selection
19-Apr-2005Cannes's Un Certain Regardsidebar has unveiled a line-up dominated by festival newcomers - and a numberof high profile veterans. Of the 21 directors invited to UnCertain Regard, only four have ever been selected for Cannes before. Each ofthose four has had their previous work in the main competition.
Nice opening for French hit comedy
14-Apr-2005Director James Huth's BriceDe Nice has proved a breakout hit in French cinemas in its first week.
Cannes drafts in Yang, Iosseliani for sidebar duty
Cognac toasts Iglesia's El Crimen Ferpecto
11-Apr-2005Alex de la Iglesia's blackcomedy El Crimen Ferpecto was the big winner at the 23rdannual Cognac Thriller Festival which wrapped on Sunday night.
French admissions fall back in first quarter of 2005
8-Apr-2005France'sNational Cinema Federation (FNCF) has announced a drop in first quarter figuresfor 2005 against last year. In thefirst three months of the year, the box-office racked up 44.6 millionadmissions versus 50.1 million over the same period in 2004.The ...
France's Freshline revs up Forestier's Show
7-Apr-2005Paris-basedFreshline Production has announced a slate of films set for production laterthis year including the next feature from Dead Weight director FredericForestier.
European Producers Club unveils Cannes plans
7-Apr-2005The European Producers Clubhas announced its program for the upcoming Cannes Film Festival (May 11-22).
France's Bac continues to rebuild with new video label
7-Apr-2005Reactivated Frenchdistributor Bac Films has announced the creation of a video label, Bac Video.The new structure will release DVDs of Bac's films as well as those fromproducers Gedeon and Millimages. Bac is 51% owned by Millimages.
Pan-Europeenne snaps up Sin City for France
4-Apr-2005French sales and financing house, Wild Bunch, has acquiredFrench rights to Dimension's Sin Cityfor its new distribution arm, Pan-Europeenne Edition.
Goldman honoured at Monaco Cinema and Literature Forum
4-Apr-2005The fourth edition of theInternational Cinema and Literature Forum wrapped up Sunday night in Monacowith producer Alain Goldman picking up his second producing award in twostraight years at the event.
2004 French Soficas hit maximum allowable sum
1-Apr-2005France's Sofica tax sheltersraised Euros 46 million in 2004, the country's central film body CNC announced yesterday.The figure is the maximum allowable and outdid 2003's total of Euros 41million.
Spring sun dents France's Printemps cinema promotion
24-Mar-2005France's annual reducedticket-price scheme, Printemps Du Cinema, drew 12% fewer moviegoers than lastyear, according to the National Cinema Federation (FNCF).The scheme, which ran from Sundaythrough to Tuesday, brought in 2.2 million admissions at 5,300 participatingtheaters across the country. That is double the number of admissions in thesame period during the previous week.
Perrin issues statement about Chorus controversy
Cannes launches world cinema showcase
22-Mar-2005The Cannes Festival has launched anew initiative designed to showcase world cinema called Tous Les Cinemas DuMonde.
FRANCE 22 March
Cannes names de France as mistress of ceremonies
20-Mar-2005Belgian actress Cecile deFrance has been named mistress of ceremonies for this year's Cannes FilmFestival (May 11-22), reports Agence France Presse. De France will oversee theopening and closing ceremonies.
FRANCE 16 March
Coppola embarks on Marie-Antoinette shoot
15-Mar-2005Sofia Coppola's Marie-Antoinette has officiallybegun shooting at the Palace of Versailles just outside Paris.
Tarr's Man From London shuts down
15-Mar-2005The ManFrom London has been shut down in Corsica following three weeks ofshooting.
Deauville Asian festival enjoys Holiday Dreaming
14-Mar-2005Fu ChanHsu's Holiday Dreaming took the main prize at the 7th annual DeauvilleFestival of Asian Film which wrapped on Sunday.
Fourtou to step down from Vivendi Universal
11-Mar-2005Vivendi Universal chairmanJean-Rene Fourtou will leave his post this spring he affirmed Thursday during apress conference to report the company's 2004 results.
FRANCE 11 March
10-Mar-2005In itssecond week, the star studded Meet The Fockers knocked local comedy Iznogoudfrom its top perch. The filmsold an additional 425,793 tickets to bring it to a cumulative score of$8,647,434. JamieFoxx's Oscar earning turn in ...
France's CNC paints mixed picture of film investment
10-Mar-2005France's CNCreleased its 2004 survey of the local sector production on Wednesday, withheadline figures showing that the number of films produced in 2004 droppedslightly to 203 from 212 the previous year.
Wild Bunch launches Lennon's Locker Babies
9-Mar-2005French sales and financing outfitWild Bunch has announced the launch of a new project starring and written inpart by Sean Lennon, son of the late Beatle John Lennon, and produced by DonMurphy.
Les Choristes controversy erupts over soundtrack singers
9-Mar-2005The father of one of thesingers appearing on the soundtrack of France's biggest box office hit of 2004,Les Choristes, raised questionsTuesday as to the remuneration received by the film's young stars.
Cesar-winning director attacks French cinema circuits
4-Mar-2005GillesPorte, Cesar winning director of Quand La Mer Monte, has spoken outagainst major cinema circuits which have declined to program his film even inlight of its recent national awards.
Gaumont profits jump three-fold
1-Mar-2005Aftera few lackluster years, fortunes at French major Gaumont are on the rise.
France's 30th Cesar awards provide an evening of surprises
27-Feb-2005The 30th anniversary of France's Cesar awards proved to be an evening full of surprises with Abdellatif Kechiche's L'Esquive taking four prizes, including best picture and best director.
CNC creates public film archive at National Library
25-Feb-2005France's NationalLibrary and the French Film Commission (CNC) have signed an agreement to createa film archive at the library.
Gitai's Free Zone proves hot seller for Bac
25-Feb-2005Coming out of theEuropean Film Market, Bac International has announced fresh territorial saleson Amos Gitai's Free Zone, starring Oscar-nominee Natalie Portman.
Payne presides over Un Certain Regard jury
25-Feb-2005Oscarcontender Alexander Payne will preside over the jury for the Un Certain Regardsection of the 58th Cannes Film Festival (May 11-22), organizers said Thursday.
FRANCE 25 February
Nine titles to compete at Deauville Festival of Asian Film
24-Feb-2005The jury for the DeauvilleFestival of Asian Film will be presided over by French director Regis Wargnier,organisers announced Wednesday.
Fullenbach returns to Canal Plus
24-Feb-2005Former head of acquisitionsat the Canal Plus premium channel, Evi Fullenbach, will return to the foldafter a little over a year away.
FRANCE 17 February
France's foreign press sings Chorus's praises
17-Feb-2005Christophe Barratier's The Chorushas been voted Best Picture by France's foreign press. Organisers of theLumiere awards, the local equivalent to the Golden Globes, announced today.
The freeze is on at Cannes
16-Feb-2005Abreeze of good news from the Croisette should warm Berlinale hearts: Cannes'four-star hoteliers have come together to freeze hotel rates this year to 2004levels.
Rois Et Reine named French film of the year
15-Feb-2005The French critics union hasnamed Arnaud Desplechin's Rois Et Reine best French film of the year.
FRANCE 14 February
Wild Bunch enjoys Dirty Love with McCarthy
10-Feb-2005French sales and distribution outfit Wild Bunch has picked up Dirty Love,the screenwriting debut from model Jenny McCarthy.
French DVD market surges
8-Feb-2005The French Film Commission (CNC) has released video and DVDfigures for 2004 in conjunction with market research group GfK. The numberspoint to the continuing development of the DVD market while video salesdecline.
Bac takes on sales for Gitai's Free Zone
3-Feb-2005Frenchdistributor Bac Films has acquired the latest work from Israeli director AmosGitai, Free Zone, which stars Oscar nominee Natalie Portman.
Canal Plus extends DreamWorks deal
3-Feb-2005The Canal Plus Group hasextended its exclusive agreement with DreamWorks to cover the next forty titlesfrom the Hollywood studio.The agreement gives Canal Plusexclusive first window pay-per-view and Pay TV rights as well as exclusivesecond window airings on Canal Plus' thematic channels.
Palm acquires US rights to du Welz's Ordeal
3-Feb-2005Palm Pictures has acquired North American rights to FabriceDu Welz's The Ordeal (Calvaire).
Roissy Films to broker L'Entente Cordiale
3-Feb-2005Paris based sales outfitRoissy Films has acquired rights to comedy L'Entente Cordiale as itheads into the European Film Market.
Binoche, Whitaker line-up for Ferrara's Mary
2-Feb-2005Juliette Binoche, ForrestWhitaker, Heather Graham and Matthew Modine are to star in Abel Ferrara's nextfeature, Mary. French sales and distributioncompany Wild Bunch has taken rights to the film - outside North America andItaly - ahead of Berlin's European Film Maket.
FRANCE 31 January
Wild Bunch unveils European Film Market slate
28-Jan-2005French sales and distributionoutfit Wild Bunch has lined up several new titles ahead of next month'sEuropean Film Market in Berlin.
France's CNC unveils Euros 22m funding for film-makers
27-Jan-2005France's advance on receipts schemewill benefit from a budget of Euros 22m for 2005, the French Film Commission(CNC) said this week.
Jeunet's Engagement heads Cesar nominations
24-Jan-2005Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement leadsthis year's Cesar nominations with 12 nods including best picture, director andactress.
Buyers hit Paris for weekend Rendez-Vous
21-Jan-2005The 7th annualFrench Film Rendez-Vous opens today (Jan 21) with 350 foreign distributors and110 foreign journalists making the trek to Paris to get a taste of forthcomingFrench films.Organised by French export body Unifrance, the event runs until Mondayand is an intimate gathering where buyers are treated to screenings and meetand greets with local talent.Largely a European affair, the ...
Kusturica to preside over Cannes jury
20-Jan-2005Emir Kusturica will presideover the jury at this year's Cannes Film Festival organizers announcedWednesday.
French production levels dip in 2004
18-Jan-2005French filmproduction levels dropped slightly in 2004 according to new figures from localindustry body the CNC.
French journalists crown Rois Et Reine
18-Jan-2005France's Etoiles De LaPresse were handed out Monday evening in Paris with Arnaud Desplechin's RoisEt Reine taking prizes in four categories: best film, best director, andthe top acting awards for Emmanuelle Devos and Matheiu Amalric. The film wasalso recently given the Prix Louis Delluc.
Gerardmer names Levinson president of 12th edition
14-Jan-2005The 12th annual FantasticFilm Festival of Gerardmer has named Barry Levinson as its jury president. Thefestival, which brings together a mix of horror and fantasy films, will runfrom January 26 -30 in the French town of Vosges.
FRANCE 14 January
Gondry embarks on Science Of Sleep
Canal Plus strikes NBC Universal film deal
10-Jan-2005TheCanal Plus group and NBC Universal have concluded a long term exclusiveagreement which will see Canal's pay-TV service air all films emanating fromthe US studio.
StudioCanal acquires rights to Wong's Lady
7-Jan-2005France'sStudioCanal has acquired all rights outside the US and Asia on the next filmfrom director Wong Kar Wai, A Lady From Shanghai.
French box office hits 20-year high
5-Jan-2005The French box office for2004 was released Tuesday by France's exhibitors federation (FNCF). In what isthe best year of the past twenty, 196 million tickets were sold, a 12% increaseon 2003.
Wild Bunch sets out stall for Rendez-Vous
5-Jan-2005French sales anddistribution outfit Wild Bunch has announced a slew of new titles which arelikely to be the talk of the upcoming French Film Rendez-Vous organised byexport body Unifrance.
Celluloid dreams of local distribution
30-Dec-2004Paris-based sales house Celluloid Dreams will add theatricaldistribution to its sales and finance activities beginning in February 2005.According to Le Film Francais (an EMAP stablemate of Screen International) thesales outfit run by Hengameh Panahi has created a subsidiary to be known asCelluloid Dreams Distribution to be run by Stephane Auclaire.
2004: Farce and Passion in France
24-Dec-2004The year started brightly with the implementation of atax-credit scheme meant to bolster production at home - and ended bleaklywith the ruling that a film French to its Tricolore core, Jean-PierreJeunet's A Very Long Engagement,did not qualify for state subsidies.
Rois Et Reine wins France's Prix Louis Delluc
20-Dec-2004France's prestigious Prix Louis Delluc has been awarded toArnaud Desplechin's Rois Et Reine.
Global appetite wanes for French film
16-Dec-2004Some 330 French films werereleased in at least one territory around the world in the first eleven monthsof 2004, according to French film export body Unifrance. The films achieved 33 million admissionsaround the world, down 11% on the same period in 2003.
CNC calls for debate on French subsidy system
15-Dec-2004Heeding a request madeearlier this month by new culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, theFrench film board (CNC) has called a meeting of professionals for thisWednesday to discuss the possible opening of the local subsidy system tonon-European companies.
French parliament improves film tax credit scheme
13-Dec-2004The French parliament has amended the country's taxcredit scheme for cinema, boosting the maximum credit available to Euros 1m perfilm.
Marrakech names Sideways as best film
13-Dec-2004The fourth annual MarrakechFilm Festival drew to a close on Sunday with Alexander Payne's Sidewayswinning the top prize.
FRANCE 10 December
France, Switzerland sign co-production agreement
9-Dec-2004Franceand Switzerland have signed a co-production agreement with a view to "tightenthe bonds between the two cinematographic industries."Swissculture minister Pascal Couchepin was on hand with his French counterpartRenaud Donnedieu de Vabres in Paris for the signing of the new agreement whichreplaces and updates a 1977 accord. The new terms include a reduction in thenecessary participation to qualify as a minority producer from 20% to 10%.
Snoop Dogg joins Besson's Arthur
8-Dec-2004Rapper Snoop Dogg has joinedthe cast of Luc Besson's Euros 65m animated film Arthur and will voicethe role of Max.
Mesrine project on the rocks after producer assaults agent
6-Dec-2004The future of producerThomas Langmann's two-part project about career criminal Jacques Mesrine hasbeen called into question following the loss of its lead actor and analtercation between Langmann and agent Francois Samuelson.
FRANCE 3 December
French film-makers call for subsidy overhaul
2-Dec-2004French film industryprofessionals responded favorably on Wednesday to a request made by cultureminister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres calling for a dialogue on rules surroundingthe country's film subsidy system.On Tuesday, Donnedieu de Vabresasked Catherine Colonna, president of French film body the CNC, to opendiscussions with industry groups with the aim of allowing non-Europeanfinancing ...
...as French culture minister seeks to clarify support system
1-Dec-2004Culture minister RenaudDonnedieu de Vabres has asked France's Film Office, the CNC, to open a dialoguewith film industry professionals in order to better define the rulessurrounding the local support system.
French industry proposes VOD rules
30-Nov-2004Filmindustry professionals gathered last week to present proposals which would helpto regulate the local video on demand (VOD) market and keep piracy in check.Thememberships of the authors, directors, producers association (ARP), the writersguild (SACD), exhibition watchdog FNCF, and the video publishers union (SEV)along with internet service providers and terrestrial and cable broadcasterspresented a 'work in progress' document outlining ...
Paris film fest to get 20th edition makeover
FRANCE 22 November
FRANCE 16 November
Magimel tipped to star as career criminal Mesrine
10-Nov-2004Hot French star BenoitMagimel (The Piano Teacher) has beentipped to star as Jacques Mesrine in Barbet Schroeder's upcoming two-partadaptation of books written by the career criminal.
French protest at 9 Songs 'pornographic' rating
9-Nov-2004Michael Winterbottom'scontroversial 9 Songs has been given an 18 rating from France'sclassification board, essentially qualifying it as pornographic.Two filmindustry representative groups, the writers', directors', producers'association (ARP) and the Societe des Realisateurs de Films (SRF), which headsup Directors' Fortnight at Cannes, have both protested the decision.
French producers hit by Warner funding wrangle
9-Nov-2004In the ongoing battle between the local film industry and 2003Productions, some producers and France's film board, the CNC, are starting tofeel the pinch.
Eight films shortlisted for France's Prix Louis Delluc
1-Nov-2004Eight films have beenshortlisted for France's Prix Louis Delluc, considered one ofFrance's most prestigious cinema awards. Six other features have been shortlisted for the Prix LouisDelluc for a first feature effort.
Amazonas festival to open with ecological drama
29-Oct-2004TheAmazonas Film Festival (Nov 26 - Dec 1) will open with ecological adventuretale Taina 2 - A New Amazon Adventure by Mauro Lima in Manaus, Brazil.The filmis the story of a young Indian girl facing up to a dangerous gang who smuggle rare specimens of Amazon fauna.Thefestival was created by Lionel Chouchan of Le Public Systeme which organizesthe Deauville, Cognac, Gerardmer and Marrakech festivals among others, ...
FRANCE 29 October
French engage with Amelie follow-up
28-Oct-2004Jean-Pierre Jeunet's highlyanticipated Euros 45m A Very Long Engagement scored the fifth bestopening day of the year when it was released in France on Wednesday (Oct 27).
Parker to head Marrakech festival jury
26-Oct-2004Alan Parker is to head the jury at the fourth edition of theMarrakech Film Festival (Dec 6-12).
Glickman wins over French film-makers
25-Oct-2004The 14th annual Rencontres Cinematographiques de Beaunewrapped up on Sunday (Oct 24) after three days of debates which welcomed scores of Frenchand American talent as well as new MPAA president Dan Glickman.The Rencontres is organisedby French writers, directors and producers' association ARP, and eachyear reunites industry and political heavyweights in this Burgundy town todiscuss issues currently facing the film business at home, at the Europeanlevel and abroad.
FRANCE 21 October
Besson commits to $78m Arthur
19-Oct-2004Luc Besson will mark a return to directing with the 3-D animatedfilm, Arthur, which is now in production. Representing the biggestinvestment yet for Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam's four year-old EuropaCorp, Arthurhas a budget similar in scale to Shrek and is currently pegged at $78m(Euros65m). It will be ready for a 2006 release, Le Pogam confirmed yesterday.
FRANCE 18 October
Warner Bros faces French uncertainty
14-Oct-20042003 Productions - headed upby Warner Bros. France president Francis Boespflug - could again be faced withpossible refusal of its status as a French company.
Bac launches foreign sales arm
12-Oct-2004Frenchdistributor Bac Films has officially launched a new sales outfit to be calledBac Films International, the company announced Monday.
FRANCE 11 October
France outlines strategy to bring shoots back home
7-Oct-2004The newlyinstalled chief of France's National Film Commission, Patrick Lamassoure,presented his strategy for the coming year at this week's MIPCOM, putting afocus on bringing film shoots back home.France has suffered from a spate of runaway production inthe past few years. But, thanks to the country's recently implemented taxcredit scheme, the tide is turning.So ...
MGM wraps up Bond deal with France 2
7-Oct-2004Frenchnational broadcaster France 2 has announced the acquisition of the JamesBond catalogue of films from MGM.Thecatalogue represents 20 films which will begin airing in 2006. The deal marks areturn to France 2 for the Bond series which aired on the channelroughly ten years ago.In ...
Samurai, Hero take first MIPCOM DVD awards
7-Oct-2004The first ever Mipcom DVDawards were announced in Cannes on Wednesday evening (Oct 6).
Medienboard Berlin ups funding by Euros 3m
6-Oct-2004TheBerlin-Brandenburg Medienboard announced an increase in regional film fundingfor 2004 at Mipcom on Monday.
BVI unveils South African and Chinese TV deals
5-Oct-2004Buena Vista InternationalTelevision (BVITV) has announced a new accord with the South AfricanBroadcasting Corporation (SABC) for various series and features, as well asrenewing its features deal with China's CCTV. The deals were both announced atthe MIPCOM television market which is currently underway in Cannes.
FRANCE 30 September
30-Sep-2004Agnes Jaoui's Cannes crowd pleaser Comme Une Image opened with a stunning per screen average of $9,472 to debut at number one this week.
France allocates Euros 40m for film tax scheme
29-Sep-2004France has earmarked Euros 40m for its newlycreated tax credit scheme for the film and television sectors.
FRANCE 28 September
Bernal to star in Gondry's The Science Of Sleep
21-Sep-2004HotMexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal is to star in the next film by EternalSunshine Of The Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry.
Lelouch billed for free Parisiens screenings
21-Sep-200445,000people took advantage of free screenings of Claude Lelouch's Les Parisiensin France on Friday.The freescreenings were paid for by the director himself in an effort to combatdreadful reviews from most of France's leading media outlets.
FRANCE 20 September
French pin Oscar hopes on Les Choristes
16-Sep-2004France'sfilm council (CNC) has announced that Christophe Barratier's Les Choristes will represent the country as this year's submissionfor best foreign language Oscar.
Rousselet cranks up French crime caper
14-Sep-2004ProducerPhilippe Rousselet has begun production on his latest film, Les Parrains,in Paris. The film is directed by Frederic Forestier, who is best known for hiswork on hit film Dead Weight (Le Boulet)The Euros 12m comedy stars Jacques Villeret, Gerard Lanvinand Gerard Darmon as a trio of former mafioisi who come together for one last'project.' Shooting began on September6 and ...
Deauville graces Marston's Maria with prizes
13-Sep-2004The30th annual Deauville Festival of American film wrapped up last night with aslew of prizes for Joshua Marston's Maria Full Of Grace. The festival favourite already honored atSundance and Berlin among others - took home the Grand Prize, the AudienceAward and the International Critics' ...
Deauville praises Maria Full Of Grace
13-Sep-2004The 30th Deauville Festival of American film wrapped up Sunday night with a slew of prizes for Joshua Marston's Maria Full Of Grace. The festival favourite - already honoured at Sundance and Berlin among others - took home the Grand Prize, the Audience Award and the International Critics' Prize.
FRANCE 10 September
US star directors lead Deauville invasion
9-Sep-2004The 30th anniversary edition of theDeauville Festival of American Film has seen a troupe of Hollywood luminariespass through town over the past week - with the promise of more to come.While the festival is sometimesconsidered a poor cousin to the simultaneous Venice and Toronto ...
Colonna named as new CNC chief
8-Sep-2004Catherine Colonna will be confirmed as the new director ofthe French film council (CNC) on Wednesday according to sources close to thesituation. Colonna will take up her functions as of the 22nd of September whencurrent chief David Kessler will step down.
French cinema admissions leap 22% during 2004
8-Sep-2004France's film council (CNC) has revealed very healthybox-office figures for the first eight months of the year. In total, 133.57 millioncinema tickets have been sold since the beginning of the year.
Wild Bunch acquires distributor Pan Europeene
7-Sep-2004French sales company Wild Bunch and French distributorPan-Europeenne Films are joining forces to create a new theatrical distributionoutfit to be known as Pan-Europeenne Edition.
Wild Bunch takes stake in French distributor Pan Europeene
7-Sep-2004French sales company Wild Bunch and French groupPan-Europeenne Films are joining forces through theatrical distributionoutfit Pan-Europeenne Edition.
Bacon's Loverboy drops out of Deauville competition
3-Sep-2004The Deauville Festival ofAmerican Film, which kicks off on Friday, has substituted one of itscompetition films.
FRANCE 2 September
Kessler quits as president of France's CNC
1-Sep-2004David Kessler, president ofthe French film support body, the CNC, will leave his current post for FranceTelevisions within the next few weeks, it was announced today (Sept 1).
Faivre embarks on double shoot
26-Aug-2004Shootinghas begun on a new project from producer Bertrand Faivre. Sauf Le Respect Que Je Vous Dois, whose English title is Burn Out, began principal photographylast month in Paris and will carry on for another four weeks in Paris and theprovinces.
French producers decry planned tax credit change
20-Aug-2004French producers are up in arms following news that fiscallegislators are proposing changes to the tax credit system which came intoeffect in January of this year.
FRANCE 20 August
Deauville unveils 30th anniversary programme
19-Aug-2004The Deauville Festival of American Film has announced itsprogramme for the upcoming 30th anniversary event.
FRANCE 18 August
New chief for French Film Commission
17-Aug-2004France's National FilmCommission (CNF), which promotes location filming in the country, will have anew president in mid-September.
Deauville reveals 30th anniversary details
2-Aug-2004Although its full official line up will not be announced until August 19, the Deauville Festival of American Film has provided some hints about the upcoming 30th anniversary event.
Kessler tipped to quit France's CNC in autumn
27-Jul-2004The French press is awashwith rumours that David Kessler, president of film support body the CNC, is tostep down this autumn to be replaced by Catherine Colonna, the spokesperson forthe Elysee Palace - France's equivalent to the White House.
FRANCE 9 July
France told to overhaul film advertising law
8-Jul-2004The European Commission hasformally demanded that France revisit its laws regarding advertising for filmsand books.France is one of the rare countriesto have legislation outlawing television adverts for films and books. TheCommission noted that the laws "violate the freedom of those who offer theseservices." Should France not respond favorably to the suggestions within thenext ...
Fahrenheit 9/11 heats up France
7-Jul-2004Frenchsales house Wild Bunch has announced that Fahrenheit 9/11 landed in 5th place for opening day scores so farthis year when the film debuted on Wednesday in France.
FRANCE 2 July
France's TPS pre-buys Esposito's Beaute
1-Jul-2004In keeping with its aggressive push towards pre-buys,satellite platform - and Canal Plus rival - TPS has pre-bought first windowrights to the next film from Le Coeur Des Hommes director Marc Esposito.
Impressive turnout for France's Fete du Cinema
1-Jul-2004France's Fete du Cinema tallied an impressive 4.3million admissions during its three day run which ended on Tuesday (June 29).The score is on a level with the previous record reached in 1999.The admissions suprassed last year's event by 43%.The 5,300 cinemas across France participated in the cut-rateticket scheme which allowed audiences to see films for Euros 1.50 following thepurchase of one full price entry.
Roaring start for France's Fete du Cinema
29-Jun-2004France's 20thannual Fete du Cinema promotion got off to a roaring start on Sunday with arecord score of 1.5 million admissions - up 60% over last year's first daytake.In Paris, 315,000 tickets were soldrepresenting the best opening day in the past decade. Despite beautiful weatheracross the entire country, moviegoers came out in force.
FRANCE 28 June
Critics' Week names new artistic director
25-Jun-2004The Critics' Week sidebar has announced the appointment of a new artistic director.
Millimages boss named as head of Bac Majestic
21-Jun-2004Roch Lerner, CEO of animation studio Millimages, has beennamed chairman and managing director of French distributor Bac Majestic. Millimagesrecently took a majority stake in the embattled distributor founded by JeanLabadie.
Former Vivendi chief Messier taken into custody
21-Jun-2004Former Vivendi Universalchief Jean-Marie Messier has been taken into custody by French police today(June 21) as part of a probe into stock manipulation.French magistrates are investigatinga massive share buyback in which Vivendi allegedly spent over Euros 1bn to propup its own share price in the weeks following the attacks of September 11,2001.
FRANCE 21 June
Moll plunges into Lemming shoot
18-Jun-2004In his first foray back behind the camera since 2000'scritical and box office success Harry He's Here To Help, Dominik Mollwill begin shooting Lemming this summer.Producer Diaphana Films confirmed that Moll will startprincipal photography in Paris and Toulouse on the Euros 5.3 millionpsychological thriller in early July.Lemming stars Harryveteran ...
Warner Bros swoops on RRRrrrr!!! remake rights
14-Jun-2004Asterix And Obelix: Mission Cleopatra director Alain Chabat has sold remake rights to hislatest film RRRrrrr!!! to WarnerBros. in the US. The film, released in January 2004, wracked up 1.7 million inadmissions.
FRANCE 10 June
Fahrenheit to be first doc released theatrically in Middle East
9-Jun-2004United Arab Emirates based Front Row Entertainment is planning to releaseMichael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 inthe Middle East beginning on July 14 according to managing director GianlucaChacra.
Fahrenheit 9/11 to open Paris Cinema festival
7-Jun-2004The organisers of Paris Cinema unveiled plans Friday for thefestival's second run from June 30 to July 13 in the capital. Thefestival is supported by the city of Paris and organized by formerDirectors' Fortnight artistic director Marie-Pierre Macia and filmmakerCosta-Gavras.
Magnolia takes Ong Bak for US
3-Jun-2004Thai action film Ong Bak has been acquired for the US byMagnolia Pictures.
Int'l doc market celebrates 15th anniversary
2-Jun-2004The international documentary market Sunny Side of the Docwill celebrate its fifteenth anniversary when it runs from June 19-22. Set inMarseille, the market will welcome 1,800 professionals from the world over andhas added a day in order to meet growing industry demand and interest.
FRANCE 1 June
Celluloid Dreams celebrates its 'most successful' Cannes
28-May-2004HengamehPanahi, head of French sales powerhouse Celluloid Dreams, has confirmed theacquisition of Todd Solondz's upcoming Palindromes.
Vivendi Universal reports improved Canal Plus results
28-May-2004The CanalPlus Group has reported first a quarter operating income of Euros 74m for 2004- a Euros 29m improvement on the first quarter of 2003. Figures were releasedThursday by parent company Vivendi Universal.
FRANCE 25 May
New film festival set for Amazon
20-May-2004In conjunction with thegovernment of Amazonas, Le Public Systeme has announced the creation of a newfilm festival in Amazonas, Brazil.
Calvaire producer lines up Coffin Island adaptation
Paris boosts film funding
18-May-2004France's Ile de Franceregion - the area that incorporates Paris and its environs - has announced itwill increase its available film funding by Euros 2m to Euros 12m next yearwith a view to bumping the total up to Euros 15M over the course of the next fewyears.
Blood on the Croisette
17-May-2004French television station France 3 said yesterday it wouldfile a complaint against the police for alledgedly injuring a cameramanfollowing a demonstration of disgruntled show business workers onSaturday. Meanwhile, several unionsrepresenting hotel workers have called a general strike in all of Cannes tobegin on Monday morning at 7am. For the past four days, workers at the Carltonhotel have been striking against unsatisfactory working conditions.
Pyramide stacks up with Warner Bros' Femme
Rousselet announces slate
Wild Bunch gets cash injection
14-May-2004French sales and productionoutfit Exception Wild Bunch has received a cash infusion from NY based DaedalusMedia Partners, with further capital being injected by Paris-based IrisCapital.
FRANCE 14 May
Assayas producer drums up starry slate
13-May-2004Producer Edouard Weil isbusy preparing new projects following his latest collaboration with OlivierAssayas on Cannes competition film Clean.
Assayas producer drums up starry slate
13-May-2004Producer Edouard Weil isbusy preparing new projects following his latest collaboration with OlivierAssayas on Cannes competition film Clean.
Beart joins Film Distribution slate
13-May-2004French sales house FilmsDistribution has announced four pick-ups coming into Cannes' market including anew feature from Train Of Life director Radu Mihaileanu and twoEmmanuelle Beart-starring films.
Beart joins Film Distribution slate
Last minute addition to Cannes competition
Last minute addition to Cannes competition
13-May-2004An eleventh-hour addition tothe Cannes competition line-up was announced Wednesday, just hours before thecurtain was set to go up on the opening ceremony.
Wild Bunch goes to Hell and beyond
13-May-2004France's Wild Bunch hasadded a crop of high-profile pictures to its slate including a $35m warriorepic from famed Czech director Ivan Passer, and Danis Tanovic's Hell,the second part of a trilogy originally written for late-director KrzysztofKieslowski.
Wild Bunch goes to Hell and beyond
Europa brings high-profile titles to Cannes
12-May-2004Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam's French mini-majorEuropaCorp enters the festival with a slew of hot titles ranging from thenewest Guy Ritchie to the first instalment of its latest franchise.
Funny Balloons takes Critics' Week title
Canal Plus seals new 5-year industry deals
11-May-2004Canal Plus has reached new five year agreements with thefilm industry set to go into effect on January 1, 2005 the company saidyesterday.
Cannes still facing potential disruptions
11-May-2004As the Cannes curtain raiser draws near, efforts are inprocess to dissuade disgruntled show-business workers - the Intermittents duspectacle - from wreaking havoc at the festival.
FRANCE 10 May
French protesters threaten daily disruption at Cannes
6-May-2004Protestorsstormed the newsroom of leading Frenchpay-TV network Canal Plus on Thursday, forcing the channel to abandonits afternoon and evening news broadcasts.
Canal Plus acquires MovieSystem
5-May-2004Canal Plus has acquired video-on-demand outfit MovieSystemit was announced Monday. Founded in 2000, MovieSystem is a leader in the VoDmarket and in 2001 established five-year VoD output deals with Pathe and LucBesson's Europa Corp. along with about 70 other French production companies.
France acts to ward off Cannes strike threats
5-May-2004French culture minister Renaud Donnedieude Vabres may have won a temporary stay against potential threats to the CannesFilm Festival when he proposed a series of measures intended to calm strikingshow business workers on Wednesday.
450 films for Cannes' Short Film Corner
3-May-2004The Cannes Market has announcedthe participation of 450 short films in its new Short Film Corner which debutsat this year's festival.
450 films for debut Short Film Corner
3-May-2004The Cannes Market has announcedthe participation of 450 short films in its new Short Film Corner which debutsat this year's festival.
Gaumont trails to Cannes with high-profile slate
3-May-2004French major Gaumont is heading to Cannes with a new film by Eric Valli, a promo reel for the $15 million Olivier Marchal-directed 36 and has confirmed that director Francis Veber is at work on an as-yet untitled project for the studio.
Canal Plus charges into video-on-demand
3-May-2004Movingaggressively into on-line distribution of movies, Canal Plus has acquiredvideo-on-demand outfit MovieSystem.
FRANCE 30 April
Klapisch readies L'Auberge Espagnole sequel
28-Apr-2004As a followup to his summer 2002 hit Pot Luck (L'Auberge Espagnole)), CedricKlapisch will begin shooting its sequel Russian Dolls (Poupees Russes))on June 1 in Paris.
Polanski unveils Oliver Twist cast
27-Apr-2004Roman Polanski introducedthe press to the lead actor for his upcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens' OliverTwist in Paris yesterday. After a search that included drama schoolsthroughout England, ten year-old Barney Clark will play Twist alongside Ben Kingsleyas Fagin.
Pere reveals his inaugural Directors' Fortnight selection
27-Apr-2004Making his debut as artisticdirector of Directors' Fortnight, Olivier Pere unveiled the line-up for thisyear's edition this morning in Paris.
Pere reveals his inaugural Quinzaine selection
27-Apr-2004Making his debut as artisticdirector of Directors' Fortnight, Olivier Pere unveiled the line-up for thisyear's edition this morning in Paris.
Fremaux defends Cannes' Ma Mere snub
26-Apr-2004Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremauxformally denied allegations Friday which had been lodged by producer PaoloBranco regarding the absence of his film, Ma Mere, in the officialselection.
Fremaux defends Ma Mere 'snub'
26-Apr-2004Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremauxformally denied allegations Friday which had been lodged by producer PaoloBranco regarding the absence of his film, Ma Mere, in the officialselection.
Critics' Week unveils competition line-up
22-Apr-2004The organisers of Cannes' Critics' Week announced their line-up on Thursday in Paris for the 57th Cannes Film Festival ( May 12-23).
Critics' Week unveils line-up
22-Apr-2004The organisers of Cannes' Critics' Week announced their line-up on Thursday in Paris for the 57th Cannes Film Festival ( May 12-23).
Princess Diana crash feature readied by French producers
22-Apr-2004French producers Pierre Kubel and Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar have purchased the rights to Laurence Cosse's award-winning novel The 31st of August 1997 (Le 31 Aout 1997) which they will adapt for the big screen in the coming year.
FRANCE 22 April
22-Apr-2004Jean-Jacques Annaud's tiger tale Two Brothers remains in the top spot this week with a mere 17% drop off from its first week. Along with the number two film Les Choristes - which jumped 4% on last week and whose soundtrack is selling on a par with that of 2001 blockbuster Amelie - strong screen averages are giving Pathe something to smile about.
L'Apres-midi opening for Cannes Critics' Week
19-Apr-2004L'Apres-midi de Monsieur Andesmas is set to open the 43rd annual Critic's Weeksidebar at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13.
L'Apres-Midi opening for Critics' Week
19-Apr-2004L'Apres-midi de Monsieur Andesmas is set to open the 43rd annual Critic's Weeksidebar at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13.
Wild Bunch takes over Bac video outfit
19-Apr-2004French sales house Exception Wild Bunch is set to take overWild Side Video and Wild Side Films from embattled distributor Bac Majestic.
Cannes faces up to showbiz strike threat
16-Apr-2004France's striking showbiz workers have threatened to disrupt next month's Cannes Film Festival to draw attention to their cause.
Festival faces up to showbiz strike threat
16-Apr-2004France's striking showbiz workers have threatened to disrupt next month's Cannes Film Festival to draw attention to their cause.
Thai boxing drama takes French box office by storm
16-Apr-2004Luc Besson's Europa Corp scored a notable box office coup this week when its Thai action film Ong Bak opened in the fifth spot in the French charts.
French admissions rise on back of local hits
15-Apr-2004Admissions at French cinemas rose slightly in the first quarter of 2004, according to new figures from France's national cinema federation (FNCF).
13-Apr-2004For the third week in a row French heartstring tugger Les Choristes, to be released in the US by Miramax, is at the top spot with a total gross of just over $15m.
Godard's latest gets official screening at Cannes
12-Apr-2004Master French auteurJean-Luc Godard's latest film Notre Musique will be screened in the official selection but outof competition at Cannes Film Festival, according to organisers, who also enigmatically promised a surprise for Godard on the night of the film's screening.
Godard's latest gets official screening out of competition
12-Apr-2004Master French auteurJean-Luc Godard's latest film Notre Musique will be screened in the official selection but outof competition at Cannes Film Festival, according to organisers, who also enigmatically promised a surprise for Godard on the night of the film's screening.
Memories sweeps prizes at Cognac thriller fest
12-Apr-2004The 22nd annualCognac thriller festival wrapped up on Sunday night with Bong Joon-Ho's MemoriesOf Murder the hands down winner. TheKorean film took the grand prize, the special police prize conferred byprofessional law enforcement agents the Premiere magazine prize and theMediatheques prize.
French show healthy Passion for Gibson epic
7-Apr-2004Despite boycotts and lawsuits in the lead up to its French release, The Passion Of The Christ has had a healthy first five days at the local box office.
French cinema looks to boost profile in China
6-Apr-2004For the first time ever, Unifrance is to organise a French film Panorama in Beijing (April 8-11) with the aim of boosting the profile of French cinema in China.
Haneke plans Paris shoot for Cache
5-Apr-2004Director Michael Haneke will begin shooting his latest film,Cache, in Paris on July 5, moving on toAustria where it will be completed in early September.
France gets new Culture Minister
2-Apr-2004Following France's recent elections which saw the upheaval of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's government and a resurgence of the conservative right, culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon is on his way out after only two years in office.
Wild Bunch ready to drop lawsuit over revolutionised Che
2-Apr-2004WithSteven Soderbergh stepping to replace Terrence Malick as the director of Che, this re-written biopic about the Cubanrevolutionary Che Guevara may prove an easier sell on the international market,believes its relieved Paris-based sales agent Wild Bunch.
Goldman to produce Crimson Rivers III
1-Apr-2004During his acceptance speech as French producer of the year, Alain Goldman confirmed that he will be producing a third instalment in the successful Crimson Rivers franchise, to be directed by Florent Emilio Siri who is currently working on Bruce Willis vehicle Hostage.
... but faces opposition in France
29-Mar-2004French exhibitor MK2 has refused to program Mel Gibson's The Passion Of The Christ when it is released by Quinta Distribution on Wednesday. Marin Karmitz, president of the successful cinema circuit, told Agence France Presse that he considers the film "fascist, antisemitic and of an unheard violence."
29-Mar-2004The Jacques Perrin produced Les Choristes opened in the number one spot scoring nearly 1 million admissions in its first week. The film is a sort of Mr Holland's Opus starring Gerard Jugnot which Miramax will handle stateside. Malabar Princess jumped to number 2 from the third spot last week but lost over 50% of its audience while Along Came Polly took a precipitous slide down 60% on the previous week.
Lescure to head Equinoxe workshop
24-Mar-2004Former Canal Plus chief Pierre Lescure will act as president of the upcoming Equinoxe screenwriters' workshop in Marrakech from April 26-May 3. Former president Jeanne Moreau will take up the role of honorary president.
22-Mar-2004Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller opened strong in Along Came Polly this week with nearly half a million tickets sold - narrowly beating out French romance Une Vie A T'Attendre which did nearly as well on slightly fewer screens. The Thierry Klifa directed film boasts a stellar cast with Nathalie Baye and Patrick Bruel as long lost lovers.
Unifrance returns to UK with French Film Season
22-Mar-2004French film export body Unifrance has unveiled the programme for its annual promotional event in the UK, the Renault French Film Season.
Jet Set producers ready cult French surf comedy
15-Mar-2004DirectorJames Huth will begin shooting comedy Brice De Nice in mid-April in Nice and Biarritz.The film is based on a character created by comedian Jean Dujardin who hasbecome something of a cult figure in France in recent years.
11-Mar-2004The top three titles this week were barely a breath apart with a strong opening for Warner Bros.' Malabar Princess which lands in the top spot with a healthy $8,692 per screen.
French cinema admissions show early strength
10-Mar-2004With 34.82 million tickets sold since the beginning of the year, the French box-office is up 4.8% on 2003 according to figures released by the CNC this week.
Malick's Che decision deals morale-denting blow to indie sector
10-Mar-2004Terence Malick's surprise decision to pull out of Che, a $40m picture about the life of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara that he had co-written, has dented the pride and perhaps the finances of sales house Wild Bunch - but the blow is unlikely to be fatal either to the French seller or to the wider independent film sector.
French directors call for curbs on film print numbers
8-Mar-2004About 200 filmmakers have signed an open letter in Frenchdaily Le Monde calling for a limit tothe number of prints sent out to theatres on a film's release.
8-Mar-2004The top two films at the French box office traded places last week with three week old hit comedy Podium shooting back up to number one from second position knocking last week's winner The Crimson Rivers: Angels Of The Apocalypse down a notch.
StudioCanal parts company with Schmidt
5-Mar-2004Michel Schmidt, deputymanager of France's StudioCanal, has left the company.
France appoints new national ratings chief
4-Mar-2004France's film council (CNC) has announced the appointment of Sylvie Hubac to the post of president of the national ratings board known as the Commission de Classification.
Gaumont revamps senior management team
1-Mar-2004French major Gaumont, which has seen its films struggle tomake a significant impact at the local box office over the past two years, hasannounced a re-organisation of its management structure.
27-Feb-2004In a strong week at the French box office Crimson Rivers 2 : Angels Of The Apocalypse opened to nearly one million admissions in its first week. The sequel to 2000's hit Crimson Rivers changed directors and one of its leads but that didn't hurt it any - with critics also giving it the thumbs up.
French wine flows into production sector
25-Feb-2004French wine producers have begun actively sponsoring French production in return for their wines being prominently displayed in films.
Cannes firms up closing weekend changes
23-Feb-2004The Cannes Film Festival has announced its schedule for the closing weekend of May 22 and 23.
Barbarian plunders top Cesar prizes
22-Feb-2004Denys Arcand's The Barbarian Invasions (LesInvasions Barbares) scooped three key Cesarawards on Saturday night in Paris winning in the best picture, best directorand best screenplay categories.The film, which won acting and writing awards at Cannes last year, is alsonominated for two Oscars next Sunday in the best foreign film and best originalscreenplay races.With 11 nominations heading into the Cesars - the French equivalent to theOscars - Jean-Paul Rappenneau's ...
Almodovar's Educacion to open Cannes
20-Feb-2004Pedro Almodovar's Bad Education (La Mala Educacion) will open the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May 12 organisers announced on Friday.
19-Feb-2004A smash in its first week out, Podium cracked the one million admissions mark to earn over $8m on 554 screens. The film, which stars Benoit Poelvoorde, handily beat out the Jan Kounen directed Blueberry which opened in fourth place.
Belleville wins best film prize at France's Lumieres.
Tarantino to preside over Cannes jury 2004...
14-Feb-2004Quentin Tarantino will preside over the jury at the 57th CannesFilm Festival this May organizers announced Friday. The director follows in thefootsteps of Patrice Chereau, David Lynch, Liv Ullman and Luc Besson who have toppedthe jury respectively back to 2000.
13-Feb-2004Comedy Les 11 Commandements heads the box office this week nearly breaking the 1 million admissions barrier with its Jackass-inspired stunts pushing local caveman romp RRRrrrr !!! down to number 3.
Arte France Cinema creates subsid to raise film funds
9-Feb-2004The film arm of Franco-German channel Arte, Arte France Cinema, has created its own subsidiary Arte/Cofinova - designed to increase Arte's ability to fund film production.
6-Feb-2004Local boy makes good! Alain Chabat's unpronounceable caveman comedy RRRrrrr!!! opens in first position beating Disney's heavily hyped Brother Bear with nearly 1 million admissions in its first week.
France gets first production Observatory
6-Feb-2004France's culture minister Jean-Jacaques Aillagon officially opened the first Observatory for Cinematic Production in the French capital on Tuesday.
France reverses Ken Park rating
6-Feb-2004This week, France's state council reversed the rating originally given to Larry Clark's controversial Ken Park released in theatres last October. While the film was initially stamped with a 'no children under 16 rating' the board said the cut off age should be upped to 18.
Funny Balloons takes Belgian comedy
6-Feb-2004Newly created Paris-based sales agent Funny Balloons has acquired Aaltra from directors Benoit Delepine and Gustave Kervern. The Belgian road comedy, which was also written by the director/stars was a contender for a Tiger Award at the recent Rotterdam Festival.
Quinta takes control of French SFX house
3-Feb-2004Majority control of Parisian special effects house Duran Duboi has officially shifted to Tarak Ben Ammar's Quinta Communication.
A Tale Of Two Sisters takes top prize at Gerardmer festival
2-Feb-2004The 11th annual FantasticFilm Festival of Gerardmer drew to a close Sunday night with A Tale Of TwoSisters taking the Grand Jury Prize.
2-Feb-2004The combination of Julia Roberts and La Joconde weren't enough this week to unseat Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai now in its second week at number one.
France's CNC outlines Soficas spending for 2004
30-Jan-2004France's national cinema centre, the CNC, has announced figures for Sofica funds to be pumped into production in 2004.
Gaumont realigns with Columbia TriStar for French distribution alliance
30-Jan-2004Columbia TriStar Films France and French studio Gaumont haveformed Gaumont Columbia TriStar Films in a deal that will see the new entitydistribute in France all films produced and acquired for France by SonyPictures Entertainment, Columbia TriStar and Gaumont.
France Television slashes film sales arm
23-Jan-2004France Television Distribution Cinema, the film sales and acquisitions arm of public broadcaster France Television, is to cease its international sales activities in the coming weeks according to sources close to the situation.
23-Jan-2004As expected, Tom Cruise vehicle The Last Samurai slashed its way to the number one spot this week coming close to the one million admissions barrier and taking in over $5m in its first week.
Godard loses copyright case in Paris court
23-Jan-2004Paris' high court has ruled against filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard for copyright infringement in his 1987 film King Lear.
Rappeneau races ahead with Bon Voyage at Cesars
23-Jan-2004Jean-Paul Rappeneau's Bon Voyage has emerged as the front-runner for France's Oscar equivalent, the Cesars, with 11 nominations.
Depardieu, Auteuil team for French cop drama
22-Jan-2004French stars Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu are pairing up for a new film by Oliver Marchal entitled 36.
Chomet, Resnais share Golden Star
21-Jan-2004The French awards season got underway on Monday with the Etoiles d'Or conferred by local film journalists. In a tie, best picture went to Sylvain Chomet's Les Triplettes De Belleville and Alain Resnais' Pas Sur La Bouche.
Besson's Parisian studio plan wins gov't backing
20-Jan-2004Luc Besson's Cinema City project received a shot in the arm late last week when it was listed among France's 50 priority development projects by prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.
Bollore increases stake in France's Gaumont
19-Jan-2004The Bollore Group has upped its stake in French major Gaumont to 10.06%.
Admissions to French films slip back in 2003
15-Jan-2004Reflecting the downturn at the French box office in 2003, French films took 60.6m admissions during the year - a 6.2% drop from 2002.
Vivendi reduces stake in UGC
13-Jan-2004As expected, Vivendi Universal has reduced its stake inFrench major UGC.
Femme named as Warner's second French feature
12-Jan-20042003 Productions has announced its second project, the upcoming L'Ex Femme De Ma Vie, to be directed by Josiane Balasko.
Besson's Paris studio complex gets greenlight
9-Jan-2004Luc Besson's proposed "cinema city" was given its first public green light today by the deputy mayor of Parisian suburb St Denis.
9-Jan-2004The French box office in the early stages of the year shows little change from the last few weeks of 2003. Although grosses dropped off from the previous week - in many cases by at least 50% - thanks to the New Year's holiday, Lord Of The Rings remained at number 1 after three weeks followed by Finding Nemo which ranks as the most successful release of 2003 even though it was only released in November.
Terzian takes over as French Academy president
8-Jan-2004Producer Alain Terzian has been appointed president of France's Academie des Arts et Techniques du Cinema - the local equivalent of AMPAS.
Asian flavour for Gerardmer Fantastic line-up
8-Jan-2004This year's edition of the Gerardmer Fantastic Film Festival will have a decidedly Asian flavour. The horror film gathering will run from Jan 28 to Feb 1 in the frosty Vosges region of France with Paul Verhoeven overseeing the competition jury.
French film production hits record high in 2003
8-Jan-2004Film production hit a record high in France in 2003, up by more than 5% compared to 2002.
Besson voices fears for French cinema
7-Jan-2004In a rare interview, Luc Besson went on the record in French daily Le Figaro last week to voice his fears about the current state of French cinema.
Deneuve, Depardieu reteam for Techine's Temps
7-Jan-2004Paolo Branco and his company Gemini Films are preparing two new high-profile projects, one from veteran Andre Techine and the other a third film from Rodolphe Marconi.
French blame first half for poor 2003 result
7-Jan-2004France's exhibition watchdog, the FNCF, has announced a 5% fall in admissions for 2003 - most of which was concentrated in the first half of the year.
Polanski's Twist wins European support
7-Jan-2004Roman Polanski's upcoming Oliver Twist is gaining steam in Europe with partners in place and casting underway.
Messier lands without a parachute
29-Dec-2003Former Vivendi Universal chairman Jean-Marie Messier hasgiven up his bid for a $25m severance package from the company, after beingforced by US regulators to relinquish claims to such a golden parachute.
Elephant to self-destruct in France
22-Dec-2003French distribution and production company MK2 is to send Cesar Award voters a self-destruct DVD of Gus Van Sant's Elephant.
Global demand for French film slips back
22-Dec-2003Global demand for French films this year fell for the second successive year in a row, according to the latest figures from Unifrance, the French film export body.
Millimages comes riding to Bac's rescue
19-Dec-2003Following weeks of speculation, ailing French distributor Bac Majestic has seen French animation studio Millimages come to its financial rescue.
StudioCanal bows to audience demands
France mulls granting US majors access to state funding
18-Dec-2003France's National Cinema Centre (CNC) has made a proposal to the government to allow US majors the right to access France's coveted "compte de soutien".
Cannes names Residence film-maker candidates
16-Dec-2003The Cannes Film Festival's film-maker training programme, Residence, has announced its participants for its next session.
Chouchou emerges as most profitable French film
16-Dec-2003Merzak Allouache's comedy Chouchou was the most profitable locally produced film of 2003. With a budget of Euros 7.6m, the film earned Euros 17.6m during its theatrical release - a 230% return on investment.
Kassovitz links with Goldman for Babylon Babies
15-Dec-2003Mathieu Kassovitz's sixth feature directing effort, the English language Babylon Babies, will be produced with Alain Goldman's Legende Entreprises.
11-Dec-2003Lots of new entries this week as Finding Nemo retains the top spot with a slight drop off from last week down 22%.
Belvaux, Lvovsky share France's 61st Louis Delluc prize
10-Dec-2003PARIS - In a split decision, the 61st Louis Delluc prize has been awarded to Lucas Belvaux's trilogy of films Un Couple Epatant, Apres La Vie and Cavale and to Noemie Lvovsky's Sentiments.
EuropaCorp to produce Jodie Foster's Flora Plum
5-Dec-2003Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam's EuropaCorp. will produce the next directorial project from Jodie Foster.
5-Dec-2003After landing in 16th place last week - via its showing on only one screen - Finding Nemo jumps to the number one spot after going out wide.
Millimages casts eye over embattled Bac
3-Dec-2003French animation and documentary producer Millimages has confirmed that is holding ongoing discussions with Jean Labadie's Bac Majestic to invest in the company.
France's Cesars moves date to avoid Oscar clash
2-Dec-2003France's equivalent to the Oscars, the Cesars, is to hold its ceremony a week early to avoid a clash with the Academy Awards on Feb 29.
Bruehl, Canet headline Carion's Joyeux Noel
28-Nov-2003French director Christian Carion is to follow up his debut hit Une Hirondelle A Fait Le Printemps, with Joyeux Noel starring French hearthob Guillaume Canet and Good Bye, Lenin! star Daniel Bruehl.
28-Nov-2003For the first time ever, the Coen brothers opened in first place with George Clooney starrer Intolerable Cruelty. The strong showing is a clear case of counter programming winning out as the smart throwback comedy overtook the flashy race car comic book adaptation Michel Vaillant.
Teze returns to TFI as film sponsorship chief
26-Nov-2003Former TF1 International executive Perrine Teze is to head up a new film sponsorship division at TF1 Publicite.
Lescure returns with AnnaRose production outfit
24-Nov-2003Former Canal Plus chairman Pierre Lescure has announced the launch of a new film production and distribution company as well as a London-based capital development outfit.
20-Nov-2003Although it remains in the number one spot, the final Matrix instalment is certainly not The One. The shine fell off the film in its second week out with the largest fall-off seen in any major market of 69%. With last week's release schedule virtually barren, distributors who tried to duck The Matrix are likely to be kicking themselves now.
Bac battered as French rumour mill swirls
19-Nov-2003French distributor Bac Majestic is once again the subject of bankruptcy and buyout rumours swirling around the French capital.
Bac sees revenues fall as fewer films released
18-Nov-2003French group Bac Majestic released third quarter results this week reporting revenues of Euros 49.2m - a 28.6% drop from the same period last year.
France approves new tax credit scheme for film
17-Nov-2003The French government has approved a film tax credit scheme which was presented by prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin last week.
Seydoux brothers team for new archive venture
17-Nov-2003The Seydoux brothers have once again joined forces to create a new company. Nicolas and Jerome Seydoux, who respectively head up French studios Gaumont and Pathe, merged their cinema circuits a few years back to create Europalaces and are now following suite with their companies' archives.
12-Nov-2003Continuing on its impressive opening, Francis Veber's buddy comedy Rudy & Quentin remains at number one with a mere 18% drop off from last week. The film passed the one million admissions mark in less than two weeks which will likely land it among France's highest grossers this year.
Germany and France in industry Rendez-Vous
6-Nov-2003The first ever German-French Film Rendez-Vous was held at Lyon's Institut Lumiere on Nov 3 and 4.
Paris looks to lure film shoots
4-Nov-2003A new film commission has been created in the north of Paris, with the aim of luring productions to the area.
France's CNC awards screenwriting prize to Mihaileanu
4-Nov-2003France's national cinema centre, the CNC, has awarded its prize for best screenwriter of 2003 to Radu Mihaileanu.
31-Oct-2003In one of the biggest openings this year, Francis Veber's latest comedy Tais Toi managed to almost break the cherished 1 million admissions mark in its first week.
France's Louis Delluc prize names nominees
31-Oct-2003Five films have been nominated for the 61st Prix Louis Delluc, one of France's top honours for film.
Romand-Monnier joins France's Cinematheque
29-Oct-2003Michel Romand-Monnier has been named deputy managing director of Cinematheque, France's national film archives.
Beaune conference ends upbeat, but down on US
27-Oct-2003The 13th annual Rencontres Cinematographiques de Beaune in France was a generally upbeat affair, but also one that marked the departure of lobbyist, Pascal Rogard.
23-Oct-2003It took a pair of boys, some oversexed twenty-somethings, a group of film legends and the last film of a recently deceased actress to do it, but The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen has ended its reign at number one after a surprising two week run in the top spot.
Jeunet's Engagement set for French approval
22-Oct-2003Following months of uncertainty, Jean Pierre Jeunet's latest effort, A Very Long Engagement, looks set to receive its stamp of approval from France's national cinema centre (CNC).
France increases film, television funding
20-Oct-2003Elaborating on culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon's presentation of France's 2004 cultural budget in late September, France's National Cinema Center (CNC) has issued its funding details for the coming year.
17-Oct-2003It's a rare, thing when there are relatively no changes in the French box-office from one week to the next. Especially considering the fact that the number one film had a pretty un-extraordinary showing in the US.
Francois Da Silva appointed at Europa Corp.
15-Oct-2003Former Cannes Directors' Fortnight artistic director Francois Da Silva has joined Europa Corp. as Artistic Advisor.
Lescure returns to his roots
15-Oct-2003Pierre Lescure is returning to his roots. The former Canal Plus chairman, who started as a radio and television journalist, will present a cinema news program on French terrestrial network France 5 beginning this season.
Celluloid takes on sales for European trio
14-Oct-2003Paris based sales house Celluloid Dreams has picked up three new films, including Belgian Oscar entry Sea Of Silence.
Tavernier adopts Cambodian project
13-Oct-2003Following 2002's World War II drama Laissez-Passer, veteran French director Bertrand Tavernier is turning his sights on Cambodia.
CNC figures paint mixed picture for French box office
10-Oct-2003France's National Cinema Centre (CNC) this week released box office figures for September - as well as unveiling an accord with the UK Film Council and announcing the winner of its screenwriting prize.
9-Oct-2003Despite the beating it took from the critics, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen opened at number one this week - largely due to a lack of strong competition, but also thanks to a very visible poster campaign that's been running for some weeks.
Armenia names Vodka Lemon for Oscars
8-Oct-2003Venice prizewinner Vodka Lemon has been selected as Armenia's entry for the foreign language Oscar category.
Gaumont pins hopes on future film output
8-Oct-2003French major Gaumont is pinning its hopes on a string of forthcoming films to improve its bottom line - after revealing that it had lost millions of Euros on its latest film at the French box office.
Piracy dominates debates at Marrakech
8-Oct-2003Although the company is set to complete its deal to sell its US entertainment assets to NBC in the next few days, some things are still business as usual at Vivendi Universal.
$43bn NBC Universal is born
8-Oct-2003Vivendi Universal today (Sept 8) announced it had signed a definitive agreement with General Electric to merge its US entertainment interests (VUE) with GE's NBC.
Dinard enjoys Pearl Earring, Alcohol
6-Oct-2003The Dinard Festival of British film handed out its top prize on Sunday in a split decision. Peter Webber's Girl With A Pearl Earring took home the Hitchcock d'Or but will split the purse that goes along with the award with Richard Jobson who won the directing prize for his film 16 Years Of Alcohol about a man trying to escape his past.
French exhibitors sweat as box office downturn bites
6-Oct-2003Calling themselves the film industry's 'poor relation', French exhibitors worried very vocally about the future of their business last week at a meeting held during the 58th annual exhibitors' conference in Deauville.
3-Oct-2003Zhang Yimou's Asian actioner Hero surprised the tally counters this week by debuting in the number one spot on only 375 screens.
Berri takes over as France's Cinematheque chief
1-Oct-2003Following several months of upheaval, France's Cinematheque has elected renowned director/producer Claude Berri as its new president.
Dinard films express 'an England in conflict', says fest director
25-Sep-2003Films at 14th annual Dinard Festival of British Film (Oct 2-5) express "an England in conflict", according to Hussam Hindi, artistic director of the three-day event.
25-Sep-2003As kids get back to school and the French reminisce about summer flings, love is in the air with Jeux d'Enfants. The story of two inseparable and sometimes insufferable lovers who never quite make it, opened healthily at number one boosted by the star power of Guillaume Canet and new talent Marion Cotillard.
French budget hikes production aid by 4.8%
25-Sep-2003Asmuch as 531.8m euros has been set aside for French film and TV production nextyear under the promising new budget outlined this afternoon in Paris by Frenchculture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon.
Clavier to produce debut French comedy
24-Sep-2003Marie-Anne Chazel will begin shooting Au Secours, J'ai 30 Ans (Help, I'm 30) on October 6, a comedy produced by French comic actor Christian Clavier.
Ben Ammar beefs up post-production business
19-Sep-2003Producer entrepreneur Tarak Ben Ammar has just upped the stakes for his Quinta Communications group by adding troubled French post-production house Duran-Duboi to his list of acquisitions.
Denis nears wrap on worldwide L'Intrus shoot
19-Sep-2003Director Claire Denis is close to wrapping a two month shoot on her next film, L'Intrus.
Gans readies big budget Silent Hill adaptation
19-Sep-2003Following a two-year hiatus since directing blockbuster Brotherhood Of The Wolf, Christophe Gans will step back behind the camera to direct an adaptation of Japanese video game series Silent Hill.
Huppert signs up for erotic adaptation
18-Sep-2003Isabelle Huppert is to star in Ma Mere, an adaptation of the erotic novel by Georges Bataille which to be directed by Christophe Honore
Messier wins again in quest for severance from Universal
16-Sep-2003Former Vivendi Universal chairman Jean-Marie Messier scoredanother round of victory in his ongoing battle to secure a severance payment onMonday in New York.
What Alice Found delights Polanski-led jury at Deauville
15-Sep-2003In a surprise turn of events, A Dean Bell's What Alice Found took home the trophy for best filmSunday night at the Deauville Festival of American Film. The festival iscentered around independent American cinema and saw ten films compete for theprize. The main jury was presided over by Roman ...
France set to unveil fresh incentives for film-makers
12-Sep-2003Moves to introduce a sale and leaseback scheme in France have been scrapped, with the government planning to introduce a tax credit system specifically to benefit the French production sector.
French box office buoyed by August figures
11-Sep-2003France's National Cinema Centre has released figures for August box office which add up to good news for the local industry.
France names Bon Voyage its Oscar contender
11-Sep-2003Jean-Paul Rappeneau's BonVoyage will be France's entry intothe Oscar race this year. The National Cinema Center announced Wednesday theselection of Rappeneau's film as its choice for a potential nomination by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Deauville endures midweek quiet spell
10-Sep-2003Following the presence of several big name stars over the weekend, the shores of Deauville are much quieter five days into the 29th annual Deauville Festival of American Film.
Europa targets Japan with Vaillant world premiere
10-Sep-2003Europa Corp. has announced the world premiere of Michel Vaillant which is set for November 8 at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Jeunet's Long Engagement gets French approval
9-Sep-2003France's National Cinema Centre (CNC) has given provisional approval for A Very Long Engagement - the Warner Bros France backed film by Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet - to qualify for access to French state funding.
Marrakech announces line up
8-Sep-2003Takeshi Kitano Zatoochi, Mira Nair's Hysterical Blindness, Tom McCarthy's The Station Agent and Gotam Ghose's In The Forest'Again are among the films competing for the Golden Star (Etoile d'Or) at this year's Marrakech Film Festival (October 3-8).
8-Sep-2003The Marrakesh International Film Festival will run from October 3 to 8 this year with German director Volker Schlondorff presiding over the feature film jury. Jeremy Irons will head up the short film jury.This is the third go round for Marrakesh which has been gaining momentum throughout its run. Very popular with the French industry, the festival will be presided over by French actress Nathalie Baye and will present 73 works, whether feature, premiere, hommage or short.The ...
Polanski in Oscar rendezvous at Deauville
8-Sep-2003The Deauville Festival of American Film kicked off on Friday night under stormy skies with at least one star shining bright.
Polanski readies Oliver Twist adaptation
8-Sep-2003A Roman Polanski adaptation of Oliver Twist may sound odd, but the film's producer Robert Benmussa insists 'a family film' like this 'will really suit him'.
Vivendi mulls sale of UGC cinema stake
5-Sep-2003Vivendi Universal, the French group that earlier this week agreed to merge with NBC to create a $40bn media colossus, is understood to be planning to sell half of its stake in the UGC cinema circuit.
5-Sep-2003Following what can only be termed a rotten summer for film-going in France, exhibitors are thrilled with the performance of Johnny Depp's Pirates Of The Carribbean, the first real summer blockbuster to show any legs.
France's Vincent Cassel joins Ocean's Twelve
3-Sep-2003Continuing his foray into Hollywood, French actor Vincent Cassel has taken a role in Stephen Soderbergh's upcoming sequel to Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve. Cassel's Paris-based agent, Laurent Gregoire of Intertalent confirmed the news to Screendaily on Wednesday.
NBC to merge with Vivendi Universal Entertainment
2-Sep-2003Vivendi Universal has announced NBC as the victor in its long-gestating auction of the company's US entertainment assets that include Universal Studios, television interests and theme parks.
Berri's San Antonio restarts after summer hiatus
1-Sep-2003After a rocky start, Asterix producer Claude Berri is pressing ahead with shooting on his next big budget film.
VUE bidding down to two: NBC and Cablevision-Bronfman
27-Aug-2003Following a hotlyanticipated board meeting on Tuesday, Vivendi Universal announced it wouldenter into further negotiations with the two primary bidders for its USentertainment assets.
Vivendi sale marathon moves into final lap
26-Aug-2003Vivendi Universal's board meets this afternoon in Paris to review the final bids for the company's US entertainment assets.
Deauville rounds out festival line-up
21-Aug-2003Along with the list of competition films announced on August 19, France's Deauville Festival of American Film (Sept 5-14) has unveiled its premieres and special sections.
Deauville unveils American film line-up
20-Aug-2003The Deauville Festival of American Film (Sept 5-14) has announced its line up and jury for this year's event.
Reno, Clavier reteam for Corse comic adaptation
12-Aug-2003Once again, France is turning to comic books for inspiration.
Everett boards cast of France's Jet Set 2
6-Aug-2003British actor Rupert Everett has joined the cast of Jet Set 2, the sequel to hit French film of 2000, which is set to start shooting in Ibiza in September.
Ford, Eastwood to bookend Deauville festival
4-Aug-2003Although the official line up won't be announced until August 19, the Deauville Festival of American Film has released some details of the upcoming event.
Marie Trintignant dies after five days in coma
4-Aug-2003After nearly a week in a coma, French actress Marie Trintignant died on August 1 at a hospital outside Paris. The 41 year old suffered a brain haemorrhage following a violent argument with her boyfriend Bertrand Cantat, lead singer of the French rock group Noir Desir.
Warner Bros' Engagement stirs French debate
1-Aug-2003Jean-Pierre Jeunet's next film, A Very Long Engagement, is stirring up controversy in France even before the first images have been shot.
Warner Bros France to distribute Fechner's L'Incruste
31-Jul-2003A new French production company, Zig Zag Productions, has joined up with veteran producer Christian Fechner for the upcoming L'Incruste which Warner Bros will distribute in April 2004.
Marie Trintignant undergoes emergency surgery
29-Jul-2003French actress Marie Trintignant has undergone two emergency operations and remains in a coma after a violent argument with her boyfriend Bertrand Cantat, a singer with the rock group Noir Desir.
Dumas-Zajdela appointed to CNC funding role
24-Jul-2003Frederique Dumas-Zajdela has been named president of the commission of France's CNC which deals with approving feature films for state funding.
Strikes hit Paris Cinema attendance figures
23-Jul-2003A week after the curtain closed on the inaugural Paris Cinema, organisers have announced that roughly 70,000 Parisians attended the festival.
French strike action causes la Villette fest cancellation
22-Jul-2003Following nearly two weeks of peace since striking French artists and technicians caused the cancellation of the Avignon theatre festival, the protesters are at it again.
Vivendi offloads French animation business
22-Jul-2003Vivendi Universal is to sell animation studio Ellipse Animation, a division of television producer and distributor Studio Expand, to French comic-book publisher and cartoon producer Dargaud Marina.
Jeunet completes Long Engagement casting
Six directors selected for Cannes' Residence
17-Jul-2003The Cannes Film Festival's annual young filmmakers' workshop announced its participants on Wednesday for the upcoming session.
Pere replaces Da Silva as Director's Fortnight chief
11-Jul-2003Francois Da Silva has been replaced as artistic director of Directors' Fortnight by Parisian cinema-programmer Olivier Pere.
Paris court rules against Messier severance
10-Jul-2003A ruling Wednesday by the president of the Paris High Court has blocked Vivendi Universal from making any payments to former chairman Jean Marie Messier.
Michel Gomez named director of French body, ARP
9-Jul-2003Following a meeting of the board, Michel Gomez has been named as director of France's authors-directors and producers association ARP.
French strike action results in temporary concession
8-Jul-2003In their fight to quash a change in unemployment benefits, France's "intermittents du spectacle" - or part-time showbiz workers - won a temporary reprieve when culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon agreed to maintain the current system until the end of 2003.
Disney closes French animation studio
7-Jul-2003After 15 years of activity, the Disney animation studio based in Montreuil, France is to be closed.
France continues resistance to film advertising on TV
7-Jul-2003The French government appears to have won another round in its ongoing battle against film advertising on television.
French film production on the increase
7-Jul-2003Despite the overall malaise affecting the French cinema sector this year, with box-office down for the first half compared to 2002, film production is on the rise.
Andie MacDowell signs on for The Last Sign
4-Jul-2003Despite the disappointing results of her last European effort, 2002's Ginostra, Andie MacDowell has once again hooked up with a French producer.
French actors' strike threatens festivals
4-Jul-2003Following May's nationwide disruptions in France, which saw strikes paralyse everything from schools to trains to the postal service, the French protest bandwagon is rolling again this month with actors and technicians now at the forefront.
France increases production aid to encourage export
3-Jul-2003The French national cinema centre (CNC) has announced the establishment of a new form of aid to filmmakers based on export potential.
Depuis Qu'Otar Est Parti wins Prix Michel d'Ornano
2-Jul-2003Cannes Critics' Week winner, Depuis Qu'Otar Est Parti has been announced as the winner of the 13th annual Prix Michel d'Ornano. The film's director and screenwriter Julie Bertuccelli will receive the award at the Deauville Festival of American Film in September.
French broadcaster commits to increased film investment
1-Jul-2003Public broadcaster France Televisions has signed an agreement with representatives of the independent film sector guaranteeing increased investment in future production.
Messier awarded Euros 20m in VU severance pay
1-Jul-2003Just as Vivendi Universal chairman Jean-Rene Fourtou finds himself sitting pretty atop several substantial offers for the company's entertainment assets, he's also got an old familiar thorn poking him in the side.
Rogard appointed to head French writers' union
30-Jun-2003Independant French film veteran Pascal Rogard has been named managing director of France's writers' union, the Societe des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques (SACD). Rogard will take up the post on January 1, 2004 after the departure of current chief Olivier Carmet.
French cinema promotion event attracts decreasing numbers
26-Jun-2003France's three-day Fete du Cinema, when ticket prices are reduced by some 60%, saw ticket sales falling to 3 million, down from last year's 3.6 million.
French comic book to get feature adaptation
24-Jun-2003Continuing the trend, France's latest comic book character to make a jump from the page to the screen will be Rene Goscinny's Iznogoud.
Four bidders make formal offers for Vivendi Universal Entertainment
24-Jun-2003Four bidders met the June 23 deadline for proposals to buy all or part of Vivendi Universal's entertainment assets.
Jeunet re-teams with Tautou in Euros 46m Engagement
19-Jun-2003Jean-Pierre Jeunet has confirmed the casting of Audrey Tautou in his next project, Un Long Dimanche de Fancailles (A Very Long Engagement).
Lumiere Institute unveils new museum
19-Jun-2003As the Lumiere Institute celebrates its 20th anniversary today, a new museum dedicated to the earliest days of film is also to be inaugurated.
Avignon festival hands out prizes at 20th anniversary event
17-Jun-2003Prizes at the 20th Avignon Film Festival were handed out Friday with the Best French Film going to Comme Si De Rien N'Etait by Pierre Olivier, who also took home a screenwriting award.
Cult French comedy heads for big screen
Besson brings short film to the masses
13-Jun-2003Having jump started the careers of several of France's most important young filmmakers , Luc Besson is at it again. Via his mini-studio Europa Corp., Besson has packaged 10 short films together into one feature length movie which will open in France on June 18.
France maps the future of its exhibition sector
12-Jun-2003The cultural affairs commission of France's senate, responsible for studying the evolution of the exhibition sector, has outlined its priorities for the coming year.
France mulls sale and leaseback funding scheme
11-Jun-2003A new soft money scheme is being examined by French authorities, which could give local and foreign productions access to funding via a sale and leaseback system.
McDull excites Annecy animation festival
9-Jun-2003France's Annecy animation festival wrapped on Saturday night with highest honours going to Tony Yeun's Chinese/Hong Kong co-production My Life As McDull.
France's Euripide rescued by Vision
6-Jun-2003Ailing French production house Euripide has been given a new lease on life as part of Vision Group's expansion plans.
Jan van Dommelen named new president of UNIC
6-Jun-2003The Union International des Cinemas (UNIC) has announced the election of a new president made official at an annual meeting held during the Cannes Film Festival.
Unifrance unveils line-up for twin Asian events
6-Jun-2003After electing a new president this week, Unifrance has announced the line-ups for its next two big summer events.
France's Rencontres announces first four titles
3-Jun-2003The Rencontres Internationales de Cinema has announced four titles out of an eventual twenty which will screen during its upcoming 9th edition July 3-13.
Margaret Menegoz named president of Unifrance
3-Jun-2003Following a meeting of the directors' board yesterday, French producer Margaret Menegoz has been elected president of French export body Unifrance.
Paltrow out, Deneuve in on cast of Russell's Huckabee's
30-May-2003After news this week that Gwyneth Paltrow had pulled out of David O'Russell's forthcoming I Love Huckabee's, casting has been confirmed with French doyenne Catherine Deneuve set to topline alongside Dustin Hoffman.
Cannes to screen restored classics
7-May-2003The Cannes Film Festival has announced a line up of restored classics which will be screened during the fortnight in the Salle Bunuel.
Festival to screen restored classics in Salle Bunuel
7-May-2003The Cannes Film Festival has announced a line up of restored classics which will be screened during the fortnight in the Salle Bunuel.
French frank on film support
1-May-2003France's culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon has called for a series of measures to further support French cinema and to encourage films to shoot within the country.
Directors' Fortnight champions 'less equal' films
25-Apr-2003Directors' Fortnight, under the new stewardship of Francois Da Silva, has unveiled a greatly expanded line-up for this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Fortnight champions 'less equal' films
25-Apr-2003Directors' Fortnight, under the new stewardship of Francois Da Silva, has unveiled a greatly expanded line-up for this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Critics' Week unveils Cannes line-up
24-Apr-2003The organisers of Critics' Week have unveiled their line up for this year's Cannes Festival.
Paris to get new film festival this summer
23-Apr-2003In conjunction with the municipal government, the city of Paris will inaugurate a new film festival this summer entitled Paris Cinema.
Denys Arcand's Barbarians to invade Cannes'
22-Apr-2003Although the official line up is not announced until tomorrow, Montreal daily La Presse today reported that Denys Arcand's Les Invasions Barbares will be in official competition at Cannes this year.
French effects, post house files for bankruptcy protection
16-Apr-2003French effects and post-production house Duran Duboi, which provided effects for Amelie, has filed for bankruptcy protection citing a downturn in the market.
Cannes main jury line-up announced
16-Apr-2003The Cannes Film Festival has announced the make-up of the main jury for this year's edition.
La Caja 507 wins Cognac festival main prize
15-Apr-2003The 21st edition of the Cognac Festival of Film Policier closed Sunday night with Enrique Urbizu's La Caja 507 taking the grand prize.
CS Leigh's Process hopeful for a Cannes slot
14-Apr-2003Recently having completed shooting in Paris, CS Leigh's Process is currently being prepped for a possible Cannes slot. The film is a somewhat existential look at a woman's trajectory towards suicide. Starring Guillaume Depardieu and Beatrice Dalle, Process is an almost entirely silent film.
218 films in competition at Annecy animation festival
11-Apr-2003Organisers of the International Animation Film Festival and market in Annecy (June 2-7) have announced their line up for 2003, including 218 titles in competition.
France's national cinema centre distributes financial aid
9-Apr-2003France's national cinema centre the CNC has issued a list of films which will benefit from financial aid in the areas of distribution and the advance on receipts scheme for 2003.
Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region to issue production cash
9-Apr-2003France's Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) region announced on Monday that it would set aside Euros 1.5m to aid productions shooting in the region. The funding will be open to French companies but also to Europeans in the case of a French co-production.
Bollywood star tipped for Cannes jury, Schwarzenegger for Cannes party
9-Apr-2003Although the official Cannes jury list will not be announced until April 23rd, the Times of India today reported that actress Aishwarya Rai has accepted an offer from Gilles Jacob to sit on this year's panel.
France resists TV advertising for films
8-Apr-2003Convinced that television commercials for films in France would create a schism in the local marketplace, France's culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon met with EU commissioner Frits Bolkestein last week to make his case.
Cendres Et Cachotteries wins grand prize at Paris fest
3-Apr-2003The 18th Paris Film Festival closed Tuesday night with Cendres Et Cachotteries (pictured) by Alice Nellis taking home the Grand Prize.
Celluloid Dreams takes world rights on Facing Windows
1-Apr-2003Paris-based sales house Celluloid Dreams has picked up worldwide rights to Ferzan Ozpetek's Facing Windows. The film, produced by Tilde Corsi and Gianii Romoli's R&C Produzioni, is currently at number two at the Italian box office with more than 1 million tickets sold for a take of Euros 6.4m.
France revs up fighter pilot adaptation
28-Mar-2003Continuing the trend towards comic book adaptations in France, Tanguy And Laverdure will be next to get the big-screen treatment.
Unifrance moves closer to naming new president
28-Mar-2003France's export body, Unifrance, is getting closer to naming a new president following the sudden death of longtime president Daniel Toscan du Plantier in February.
Cognac Film Festival unveils lineup, opens with Pamela Rose
27-Mar-2003TheCognac Festival du Film Policier has released its line-up for the 21st editionset to take place April 10-13. The festival is devoted to the 'policier' ordetective/crime genre and this year will see French actor Vincent Lindon headup the main jury.
Fanfan La Tulipe to open this year's Cannes Film Festival
26-Mar-2003The Cannes Film Festivalhas set Fanfan La Tulipeas the opening film for this year's event. The film is a remake ofChristian-Jaque's 1952 swashbuckler.
The Quiet American wins at Valenciennes
25-Mar-2003France's Valenciennes Action and Adventure Film Festival handed its top prize to Phillip Noyce's The Quiet American on Sunday night.
France's Springtime Of Film programme records 2.5m admissions
24-Mar-2003France's exhibition federation, the FNCF, has announced that 2.5 million tickets were sold during its recent Springtime of Film programme. The event, a three-day promotion where admission is slashed to Euros 3 - less than half normal price - in 5,500 cinemas across the country, is four years old. 2003 marks the best showing since the program was launched.
TPS to increase local production investment
21-Mar-2003French satellite platform TPS is to increase its investment in local low- to medium-budget films.
Blind Shaft sweeps awards at Deauville's Asian fest
20-Mar-2003The 5th annual Deauville Festival of Asian Film wrapped last week with a slew of prizes going to German/Chinese/Hong Kong co-production Blind Shaft
French cinema admissions take a dive in 2003
18-Mar-2003French admissions for the first two months of 2003 have taken a serious dive, according to the national film body CNC.
Paris film festival unveils line-up, new jury president
13-Mar-2003The Paris Film Festival, which runs from March 24 to April 1 has announced its line up and international jury.
Canal Plus to announce lay-offs today
12-Mar-2003The axe falls today. A long anticipated announcement will come from Canal Plus' Paris headquarters regarding what could turn out to be massive lay-offs.
French films see increase in foreign investment
12-Mar-2003French film production is still up, foreign investment is high but local investment is slowing, according to latest figures from France's National Cinema Centre (CNC).
Canal Plus announces staff redundancies
12-Mar-2003Following a meeting with union representatives, Canal Plus today released details of a long-anticipated redundancy program at the company. Out of a total 3,038 France-based employees, 305 are set to lose their jobs over the coming months.
MovieSystem launches Monaco VoD service
10-Mar-2003In partnership with Monaco Telecom and Alcatel, MovieSystem has launched a Video-on-Demand service for television via DSL, Sesame TV. At a press conference in Monaco last week, the project was unveiled and followed by an impressive demonstration of DVD quality resolution.
Deauville Asian festival announces competition films
7-Mar-2003The fifth edition of the Deavuille Festival of Asian Film will kick off next week in the seaside Normandy town. From March 13 to 16 seven films will compete for the Lotus statue with a jury presided by French screenwriter Pierre Jolivet.
Fourtou sheds little light on Universal sale progress
7-Mar-2003Jean-Rene Fourtou just isn't talking. At a press conference on Thursday night announcing 2002 financial results, the Vivendi Universal chairman stuck to business and refused to be led on any of the burning questions swirling around a possible sell-off of entertainment assets.
Bac sees dip in 2002 revenues
7-Mar-2003Jean Labadie's Bac Majestic has announced its 2002 revenues, which registered a 3.5% drop to Euros90.8m for the year.
France's TPS signs multi-year deal with BVI television
4-Mar-2003One week after Canal Plus struck an exclusive pay-TV deal with Disney for five animated features, rival French satellite platform TPS has signed a multi-year agreement with Buena Vista International Television for live-action films from Touchstone Pictures.
Pianist waltzes off with Cesar sweep
22-Feb-2003Roman Polanski's Palme d'Or winner, The Pianist, swept the 28th Cesar Awards in Paris Saturday night. In the major categories the film took Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor in what ended up to be a trouncing of odds-on favorite 8 Women.
Amen shines at France's Lumieres
17-Feb-2003Costa Gavras' heavily Cesar-nominated Amen picked up France's Lumiere award this weekend for best film of 2002.
France's Rezo expands into international sales arena
11-Feb-2003Celebrating its tenth year in existence, French producer and distributor Rezo films will now move into international sales. The process will begin with the 23rd film from Eric Rohmer, Triple Agent.
Vivendi assures Canal Plus of support
7-Feb-2003In a move to quell rumours, the heads of Vivendi Universal and Canal Plus have sent letters of support and explanation to Canal staff.
Dark Water triumphs at Gerardmer
4-Feb-2003Hideo Nakata's Dark Water won the Grand Prize at the Gerardmer fantastic film festival on Sunday. The Ring director also took home the Youth Jury Prize - given by a group of 12 film students from the region - and the International Critics' Prize.
Canal Plus bosses removed in latest executive cull
3-Feb-2003Following speculation last week, Canal Plus Group president Xavier Couture has reportedly been replaced at the head of the company by Bertrand Meheut.
Sichler steps into StudioCanal as Lenormand finally goes...
3-Feb-2003Frederic Sichler will take over as CEO of StudioCanal, European the film production and distribution division of Vivendi Universal, it was announced on Friday. He starts on Monday (Feb 3).
Perrine Teze to step down as head of TFM
29-Jan-2003Perrine Teze, managing director of Miramax-TF1 joint French distribution venture, TFM Distrbution, is planning to leave her post and head back to the TF1 Group.
Ozon's 8 Women leads French Cesar nominations
24-Jan-2003Francois Ozon's 8 Women leads the nominations for France's Cesar Awards, which were announced on Friday in Paris.
Vivendi Universal closer to selling US entertainment assets
22-Jan-2003Vivendi Universal, the European media conglomerate which owns Universal Studios and StudioCanal, has moved up a gear in its attempt to dispose of its US entertainment assets.
Hallyday, Sagnier receive French awards
France's EuroPalaces maintains market dominance
20-Jan-2003EuroPalaces held on to its status as top French exhibitor last year.
Breillat starts phase two of Anatomie d'Enfer shoot
17-Jan-2003Controversial director Catherine Breillat (pictured) heads out to Portugal this weekend to begin shooting phase two of her latest film, Anatomie d'Enfer.
Rendez-Vous heralds vintage year for French Cinema
17-Jan-2003With French film riding high across the globe, 2003 looks primed for a good start at the Rendez-Vous of French Cinema which begins today.
Exception adds co-production to sales activities
15-Jan-2003Exception, the company minted out of former StudioCanal boutique Wild Bunch, has announced it is adding co-production to its activities.
Gerardmer horror fest unveils competition line-up
15-Jan-2003The Gerardmer Fantastic Film Festival has announced its jury and film line-up for this year's event which runs from January 29 to February 2.
StudioCanal faces crippling staff losses
15-Jan-2003France's StudioCanal, which once boasted ambitions of being Europe's biggest film production outfit, looks to be heading towards total meltdown.
Trumer takes over at UIP France
13-Jan-2003UIP's French outpost has announced the arrival of Camille Trumer as managing director. Trumer replaces former Polygram executive Jean-Paul Rougier who held the top spot at UIP France since July 2000.The newly-installed Trumer has a varied background including a stint at UGC during which he passed from director of UGC Film Distribution to managing director of UGC's Belgian and Spanish subsidiaries. He also previously worked as head of Universal Pictures Video France and recently ...
French cinema admissions slide in 2002
8-Jan-2003French admissions dipped last year but the country still recorded its second biggest box-office tally in 20 years, according to the latest figures from French exhibition body the National Cinema Federation (FNCF).
Alain Resnais prepares musical comedy for New Year shoot
23-Dec-2002After a five year hiatus, veteran filmmaker Alain Resnais is back with his next project, Pas Sur La Bouche.
Jean-Jacques Annaud begins shooting Two Brothers
23-Dec-2002After his 1988 film The Bear, Veteran French director Jean-Jacques Annaud is returning to the animal kingdom with a tale of two tigers.
Veteran French sales company, Mercure in liquidation
23-Dec-2002France's veteran sales company Mercure Distrbution has been liquidated and will cease its activities in January.
France's Xilam lines up 3-D Stupid Invaders
20-Dec-2002Xilam Animation is moving forward on a 3-D feature version of Stupid Invaders, a film company founder Marc du Pontavice calls "a Shrek-like family" entertainment. The ambitious project is budgeted at Euros18m and will start production in June of 2003. Du Pontavice, an animation guru who left Gaumont four years ago to create Xilam, says that the project is based on the very successful Space Goofs, a TV series developed during his former tenure.Xilam's first ...
Gerardmer festival reveals first details of 2003 edition
17-Dec-2002The Gerardmer festival has announced the first details surrounding its 2003 vintage which will run from January 29 to February 2, 2003.
Lescure's Canal Plus severance package could top Euros 3m
10-Dec-2002Former Vivendi Universal chairman Jean-Marie Messier fired Pierre Lescure from the helm of Canal Plus in April in what many consided an underhanded manner. Now, however, it seems that Lescure has come out ahead of the erstwhile mogul - at least in terms of his pay-off
USA Interactive accuses Vivendi Universal of tax avoidance
10-Dec-2002While Jean-Rene Fourtou and Barry Diller attempt to unravel some of the complexities in their relationship, Diller's USA Interactive has stepped into the melee accusing Vivendi Universal of trying to avoid tax payments of over $600m in conjunction with last December's sale of USA Networks to Vivendi Universal.
Drubigny leaves UGC International
9-Dec-2002After a mere six months, UGC International director Alexandre Drubigny has left the company.
Former Canal Plus exec Godfroid joins Air
6-Dec-2002Former Canal Plus executive Bibiane Godfroid has joined Air Productions, one of France's most successful television production houses.
Vivendi to choose between entertainment and telecoms
4-Dec-2002Vivendi Universal chief executive Jean-Rene Fourtou yesterday announced that he had approval from the corporation's board for a Euros 4bn bid to take over mobile phones group Cegetel. He also revealed that he is not committed to the group staying in the entertainment business.
Cannes discoveries head Delluc shortlist
2-Dec-2002Shortlisted for the Prix Louis Delluc are three Cannes films L'Adversaire, La Chatte A Deux Tetes and documentary Etre Et Avoir. But there is no place for France's Oscar hopeful 8 Femmes.
Messier diary hits French bookstores
14-Nov-2002Jean-Marie Messier delivers his version of events during his tumultous reign at Vivendi Universal, with the publication in France today of "Mon Vrai Journal" (My True Diary).
Vivendi Universal reports 2002 third quarter results
12-Nov-2002Vivendi Universal today released provisional third quarter results for 2002.
Pathe seeks public listing
6-Nov-2002Despite current market instability, Pathe's Jerome Seydoux is looking to the future. In an interview with yesterday's Financial Times, the Pathe chariman said he was eager that his company go public in the next 18 months.
Vivendi faces two new US investigations
4-Nov-2002One week after becoming the subject of a criminal probe in France, Vivendi Universal has now officially fallen under US scrutiny.
Beaune conference ends on muted note
27-Oct-2002The 12th annual Rencontres Cinematographiques de Beaune, a congress of the association of writers, directors and producers (ARP) that takes place in Burgundy's famous wine town, ended Sunday under sunny skies and without much fanfare - though whispering was heard all around.
TFM launches Full Frontal into French market
11-Oct-2002Launching into France's already crowded distribution market, the newly formed TFM - a joint venture between US mini-major Miramax and broadcaster TF1 - has cut its teeth with its first French release.
Wild Bunch goes independent as Exception
6-Sep-2002As anticipated, boutique sales house Wild Bunch has announced its separation from parent outfit StudioCanal. The new entity is set to be called Exception.
Messier faces the heat at Vivendi Universal shareholder meeting
24-Apr-2002Yesterday evening, Vivendi Universal chairman, Jean-Marie Messier stepped up to the stage before a sweltering and packed house at Paris's Zenith theatre to face a 5,000-strong audience of the annual shareholder's meeting and deliver the performance of his life.
Celluloid Dreams closes out 8 Femmes sales
26-Feb-2002After launching FrancoisOzon's 8 Women at the AFMlast year, French sales house Celluloid Dreams has come full circle with aspate of finalised deals. PierreMenahem, who has been overseeing the market for the independent outfit, saidyesterday that only four territories remain unsold (Singapore, South Africa,Peru and India) but that those could close after the film's final screeningwhich was yesterday afternoon.
New French buyer debuts with Filmax titles
24-Feb-2002The paint may still be wet on the shingle, but brand new production and distribution company Wild Side Films has made two purchases in its first market outing. By picking up Second Name and Oblivion from Spanish mini-major Filmax, the new company announces its arrival on the international market scene.
Nothing Is Everything for Hadida's Metropolitan
24-Feb-2002Senator International has sold French rights on the Vincenzo Natali directed Nothing to Samuel Hadida's Metropolitan Filmexport. The film, which Senator is financing with Japan's Klockworx, is currently in pre-production while Natali finishes Company Man for Pandora and Miramax. A May start is possible.
Fonlupt dives into Kormakur's The Sea with Flach
22-Feb-2002Former Ciby 2000 executiveJean-Francois Fonlupt's Emotion Pictures is teaming with Blue Eyes Productions for The Sea, the nexteffort from 101 Reykjavikdirector Baltasar Kormakur. Eric Lagesse, head of Flach Pyramide International, whorecently picked up the film for global sales enthuses, 'It'ssomething hot from a cold place!'
Oscar nods, Berlin Bears icing on cake for France
17-Feb-2002The five Academy Award nominations for France's Amelie were the icing on the cake for a glorious year of French cinema - a year that has seen French films score highly at the box office and now receive Oscar kudos - in addition to the four Silver Berlin Bears awarded to French films over the weekend.
Little controversy at Beaune conference
29-Oct-2001As the 11th Rencontres Cinematographiques de Beaune drew to a close Sunday (Oct 28), filmmakers comprising the association of writers, directors and producers (ARP) issued a statement outlining the most pertinent points to come from a weekend of debates.