American French Film Festival 2025: Celebrating Cinematic Excellence and Cultural Exchange
The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) is back for 2025, continuing its legacy of showcasing outstanding French cinema and television. Following the success of last year’s award-winning film Emilia Pérez, this year’s lineup features an exciting mix of Hollywood projects and emerging talents. As the largest film festival dedicated to French film and TV globally, TAFFF has fostered collaboration between the French and U.S. film industries since the inception of the Franco-American Cultural Fund in 1996.
Running from now until November 3 at the DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles, the 29th annual festival highlights the partnership between French organization SACEM and prominent U.S. guilds, including the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, and the Writers Guild of America West.
Featured Films and Events
Kicking off the festival is the opening-night selection, A Private Life, directed by French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski. This mystery feature marks a significant milestone as it showcases Jodie Foster’s first role entirely in French. Foster, a two-time Oscar winner fluent in the language, was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the screening.
Another highlight is Nouvelle Vague, directed by Oscar-nominated Richard Linklater, which explores the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic New Wave film, Breathless. This is Linklater’s first film shot entirely in French, featuring a talented cast, including American actress Zoey Deutch and French stars Guillaume Marbeck and Aubry Dullin. Linklater accepted the Franco-American Cultural Fund Award during the screening, emphasizing the rich cultural exchange between France and the U.S.
TAFFF also features standout films like Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and is France’s selection for the international feature Oscar. Other notable screenings include The Richest Woman in the World, starring Isabelle Huppert, and the Brigitte Bardot documentary Bardot.
Engaging Filmmaker Panels
A key part of this year’s festival programming is a panel sponsored by the DGA, featuring Linklater, Jason Reitman, and recent Oscar winner Sean Baker. Moderated by former DGA president Taylor Hackford, the discussion focuses on the importance of revitalizing the cinema experience. Hackford notes, “These directors are navigating an existential crisis in our industry, and exchanging ideas with their counterparts in France embodies the spirit of the Franco-American Cultural Fund.”
Spotlighting Emerging Voices
In addition to established names, TAFFF is dedicated to showcasing fresh talent through its New Horizons program, featuring unique cinematic visions from both emerging and seasoned French filmmakers. The program includes Valérie Donzelli’s At Work, which received accolades for its screenplay at the Venice Film Festival, and Claire Denis’ The Fence, starring Tom Blyth and Mia McKenna-Bruce.
TAFFF aims to present the diverse voices within French cinema, moving beyond stereotypes often associated with French culture. Deputy Director Anouchka van Riel emphasizes, “We want to show that the voice of French artists is not a monolith. Our festival champions unique and diverse stories.”
Highlighted films such as Hafsia Herzi’s The Little Sister and Anna Cazenave Cambet’s Love Me Tender demonstrate the festival’s commitment to representing varied narratives, including LGBTQ+ perspectives. Both films debuted at Cannes and have garnered critical acclaim.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Audience Reach
As the festival continues to thrive, it coincides with a growing appreciation for French cinema among American audiences. Notable successes like Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall, which received five Oscar nominations, and Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, which led the Oscars with 13 nominations, underscore the impact of French films in the U.S. market.
TAFFF Executive Producer and Artistic Director Francois Truffart highlights the festival’s role in promoting films that resonate with audiences and believes that the accessibility of international cinema through streaming platforms will continue to grow.
For those unable to attend in person, TAFFF offers over 1,000 film and series titles available for rental through its library and provides free screenings for local high school students, including a presentation of Nouvelle Vague.
As the landscape of cinema evolves, TAFFF remains committed to nurturing the appreciation of French films, ensuring that unique voices continue to be heard and celebrated in the global film community.
