Pauline Roque’s Cannes Critics’ Week title Nino, Valentine Kadic’s 2024 Olympic Berlinale film Paris, and Amélie Bonnin’s Cannes Film Festival opening film Leave One Day are part of the lineup for the 11th Young France Film Program.
The initiative is a joint effort by Villa Albertine, a New York-based French residency program, and UniFrance, a French film and television content promotion organization, to introduce emerging French filmmakers to audiences in the United States and Canada.
After a hiatus in 2025, this year will feature six titles that have yet to secure U.S. sales.
It will be distributed and available for pre-order at American arthouse theaters and film associations.
Not just universities and cultural institutions, but also festivals.
Expected highlights include “Leave One Day,” a music-filled romantic drama starring renowned French singer Juliette Armanet alongside Bastien Bouillon. Deauville’s award-winning Nino (pictured) stars Théodore Pellerin (Lurker) as a young man facing a major medical challenge who travels to Paris. and “That Summer in Paris,” which follows a young woman from Normandy who travels to the bustling French capital to attend the Olympics.
Villa Albertine and UniFrance said in a joint statement: “We are pleased to support the programs of American arthouse theaters and cultural institutions, while supporting young French talent by gaining recognition across the United States.” They added, “This initiative fosters meaningful interaction with American audiences and provides them with compelling perspectives on contemporary issues.”
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Paris, Unifrance has offices in the United States, China and Japan.
brings together over 1,000 professionals from the French film and television sector, including producers, artists, talent agents and sales companies. Villa Albertine, an institution of the Embassy of France in the United States, was created to accelerate collaboration between French and U.S.-based organizations through customized residencies, immersive networking experiences, grants, and audience connections.
As part of its collaboration with Villa Albertine, Unifrance oversees film booking, institutional partnerships and logistics for visiting filmmakers. The French film and television advertising agency, headed by former TF1 boss Gilles Perison and headed by Daniela Elstner, is also preparing for the 31st French Film Rendez-Vous Festival in New York, in partnership with Film at Lincoln Center, which will run from March 5th to 15th.
The lineup for the 11th Young French Film is as follows:
“Affection” Alexia Walter, Maxim Matrei (world premiere at Locarno)
“Girl in the Snow” Louise Emont (world premiere at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight)
“Leave One Day” Amelie Bonnin (world premiere at Cannes Film Festival)
“Nino” Pauline Roquez (world premiere at Cannes Critics’ Week)
“Summer in Paris” Valentine Kadic (world premiere at the Berlinale)
“The Wild Fox” Valérie Carnoy (world premiere at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight)
