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The 22nd annual French Film Festival, which will be held from March 27 to March 30, will feature a diverse lineup of documentaries, comedies, dramas and short films, as well as a delegation of top French directors, actors, screenwriters, cinematographers and more.

The festival, which is presented by Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond, will screen 17 feature films and 14 short films at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St. in Richmond.

The annual festival draws an audience of more than 21,000 and is the largest French film festival outside of France, according to Peter Kirkpatrick, co-director of the festival and associate professor of French and Film Studies at VCU's School of World Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences.

Tickets for individual films are $15, and festival passes may be purchased at: http://frenchfilmfestival.us/buy-vip-passes.

Full Schedule

Thursday, March 27

12-2 p.m.
Master Class: Artistic Creative Stages of Filmmaking
The example of the short movie "Micha Mouse," with director, screenwriter and actor Mathieu Busson and producer Christie Molia. Event held on University of Richmond campus in Adams Auditorium (Media Resource Center) - UR Boatwright Library. Free and open to the public.

IN THE BYRD THEATRE

5 p.m.
Special Free Screening
“Cinéast(e)s” by Mathieu Busson and Julie Gayet
Presentation by and discussion with director and actor Mathieu Busson and producer Christie Molia.

7 p .m .
Special Free Screening
“Il est minuit, Paris s’éveille” by Yves Jeuland
Presentation by and discussion with director and screenwriter Yves Jeuland

8:30 p.m.
“Pour une femme” by Diane Kurys

Friday, March 28

3 p.m.
“Faire quelque chose” by Vincent Goubet
Presentation by and discussion with director, screenwriter and producer Vincent Goubet.

5 p.m.
Special Selection: Carte blanche à Jacques Perrin
“Che strano chiamarsi Federico” by Ettore Scola
Presentation by and discussion with cinematographer Luciano Tovoli and producer, actor and director Jacques Perrin.

7:10 p.m.
“Cousin Jules” by Dominique Benicheti
Presentation by and discussion with cinematographer Pierre-William Glenn. Special guest Richard Patry, president, Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français.

9:30 p.m.
Short Film: “The Radar” by Jan Rouiller and Nicky Marbot

Feature Film: “Jean & Béatrice” by Amélie Glenn and Filip Piskorzynski
Presentation by and discussion with director and actress Amélie Glenn, actor Nicolas Melocco and producer Franck Carle.

Saturday, March 29

8 a.m.
First Short Film Series

·        “Les Démons de Ludwig »by Gabriel Jacquel

·        “Eclipse” by Shirley Monsarrat

·        “Dépareillé” by Michaël Pierrard

·        “HELP!” by Jean Marbœuf

·        “Diagnostic” by Fabrice Bracq

Presentation by and discussion with directors Gabriel Jacquel, Shirley Monsarrat, Michaël Pierrard, Jean Marboeuf and Fabrice Bracq.

9:30 a.m.
“Le Promeneur d’oiseau” by Philippe Muyl
Presentation by and discussion with director and screenwriter Philippe Muyl.

11:45 a.m.
“La Grande Boucle” by Laurent Tuel
Presentation by and discussion with director Laurent Tuel.

1:55 p.m.
“Demi-Sœur” by Josiane Balasko
Presentation by and discussion with director, screenwriter and actress Josiane Balasko and actor George Aguilar.

4 p.m.
“Le Désert des Tartares” by Valerio Zurlini
Presentation by and discussion with producer and actor Jacques Perrin and cinematographer Luciano Tovoli.

7 pm.
Official reception at the VCU Scott House.

9:45 p.m.
Special Event in partnership with La Cinémathèque
“Française: Le Raid Paris – Monte Carlo en deux heures” by Georges Méliès
Introduction by Richard Patry, president, Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français,  with Todd Schall-Vess as bonimenteur and organist Bob Gulledge at the Mighty Wurlitzer.

Feature Film: “La Pièce manquante” by Nicolas Birkenstock
Presentation by and discussion with director and screenwriter Nicolas Birkenstock.

Sunday, March 30

8 a.m.
Second Short Film Series

·        “Lettres de femmes” by Augusto Zanovello

·        “Nul” by Yves Alion

·        “Géraldine je t’aime” by Emmanuel Courcol

·        “La Maison de poussière” by Jean-Claude Rozec

·        “Bébé à tout prix” by Guillaume Clicquot

·        “Avant que de tout perdre” by Xavier Legrand

·        “Nous sommes tous des êtres penchés” by Simon Lelouch

Presentation by and discussion with directors Augusto Zanovello, Yves Alion, Emmanuel Courcol, Guillaume Clicquot and Simon Lelouch; producers Alexandre Gavras and Sébastien Chamaillard; and animator Julien Leconte.

11 a.m.
“Les Petits Princes” by Vianney Lebasque
Presentation by and discussion with director and screenwriter Vianney Lebasque.

1 p.m.
“Une place sur la Terre” by Fabienne Godet
Presentation by and discussion with director and screenwriter Fabienne Godet.

3:15 p.m.
“Alceste à bicyclette” by Philippe Le Guay
Presentation by and discussion with director and screenwriter Philippe Le Guay.

5:35 p.m.
“Attila Marcel” by Sylvain Chomet
Presentation by and discussion with actor Guillaume Gouix.

7:45 p.m.
“Lulu femme nue” by Sólveig Anspach

 

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