The French Film festival celebrates its 15th Anniversary this June, fifteen years of bringing French culture to the Filipino people through the screening of some of the most popular and critically acclaimed French films.

Cinema is a passion shared by the French and Filipinos. It offers a medium for artists, filmmakers, to express their views on society, relationships, and social conditions, to tell stories through moving images. It allows viewers an immersion into French life in the context of family, romance, work and social relationships.

The French Film Festival offers the rare opportunity for the local viewers to experience French culture through a panorama of various genres of film, from comedy and drama, to love stories and adventure, set in different situations.

The continued growth of viewers of French films in the Philippines encourages local distributors to look into the commercial release of French titles in the territory.

Meanwhile, Filipino films have been gaining international recognition all over the world through the invitation of Filipino movies in international festivals, particularly in Cannes and in other film capitals in Europe. Brillante Mendoza won the Best Director Award for “Kinatay” at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, and his later movie, “Lola” is now showing in theaters in Paris. The French are thus given a glimpse into Philippine society through the films.

As a tradition, the French Film Festival pays tribute to Philippine cinema on June 12, with the screening of “Lola” at the Shang Cineplex.

Through the cooperation program of Canal France International, Francesca Litton and Jillmer Dy of ABS-CBN were given the rare opportunity to cover the Cannes Film Festival as part of the “Cannes Vu Par… “ project, and send images to the Filipino viewers straight from the red carpet. Images from the Cannes Festival will be projected during the festival to provide the festival audience a glimpse into the world’s most prestigious film event.

The festival will open on June 3, 2010 at the Shangri-La Plaza with the screening of “L’Amour c’est mieux à deux” by Dominique Farrugia. The French Director is currently shooting a new film in the Philippines and will be the guest of honour of the Festival.

The French Film Festival will run from June 3 to 13 at the Shang Cineplex of the Shangri-La Plaza in Manila, from June 18 to 20 at the Ayala Center in Cebu. A retrospective of classic films of Eric Rohmer will run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from June 15 to 19, in honor of the late filmmaker who passed away early this year. Finally, a selection of films will be shown at the UP Film Institute for the film and mass communication students, followed by discussions with film professors.

For more information, contact Martin Macalintal (0917-920-1842) or Gretchen Wilwayco (0917-561-0003).

Shang Cineplex
Screening Schedule:

DISCLAIMER : This schedule has not yet been finalized and is subject to change.

June 3, Thursday
7:30 p.m. - L’Amour c’est mieux a deux

June 4, Friday
12 p.m. - L’Heure d’ete’
3 p.m. - La Fille du RER
6 p.m. - La Graine et le Mulet
9 p.m. - Les Bureaux de Dieu

June 5, Saturday
12 p.m. - L’Amour c’est mieux a deux
3 p.m. - Le Premier Venu
6 p.m. - Welcome
9 p.m. - Dans La Vie

June 6, Sunday
12 p.m. - Le Genou De Claire
3 p.m. - Le Beau Mariage
6 p.m. - L’Heure d’ete’
9 p.m. - La Fille du RER

June 7, Monday
12 p.m. - La Graine et le Mulet
3 p.m. - Les Bureaux de Dieu
6 p.m. - L’Amour c’est mieux a deux
9 p.m. - Le Premier Venu

June 8, Tuesday
12 p.m. - Welcome
3 p.m. - Dans La Vie
6 p.m. - Le Genou De Claire
9 p.m. - Le Beau Mariage

June 9, Wednesday
12 p.m. - Les Bureaux de Dieu
3 p.m. - La Graine et le Mulet
6 p.m. - La Fille du RER
9 p.m. - L’Heure d’ete’

June 10, Thursday
12 p.m. - Dans La Vie
3 p.m. - Welcome
6 p.m. - Le Premier Venu
9 p.m. - L’Amour c’est mieux a deux

June 11, Friday
12 p.m. - La Fille du RER
3 p.m. - L’Heure d’ete’
6 p.m. - Le Beau Mariage
9 p.m. - Le Genou De Claire

June 12, Saturday
Lola

June 13, Sunday
12 p.m. - Le Premier Venu
3 p.m. - L’Amour c’est mieux a deux
6 p.m. - Les Bureaux de Dieu
9 p.m. - La Graine et le Mulet