Leila Bouzid’s “In a Whisper” and Cédric Klapisch’s “Colors of Time” won the 31st UniFrance Best Film Award at Lincoln Center’s Rendezvous with French Cinema.
In a Whisper, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, won the Best Emerging Filmmaker award at the New York Showcase. “In a Whisper” is Bouzid’s third film following “Love and Desire” and “I Open My Eyes,” and stars Aya Boutella (“The Red Road”) as Lilia. Lilia returns to Tunisia for her uncle’s funeral, and the revelations about his life resonate with her own family’s secrets. Butera will star opposite Hiam Abbas in the drama. Strand Releasing acquired the film for US distribution in Berlin.
The award was determined by a six-member student jury of New York City college students from partner universities. The jury praised the film’s cinematography, saying it “enhanced every aspect of the production, noting how it contributed to a seamless blend of emotion, storytelling, and visual artistry.”
Meanwhile, Cedric Klapisch’s “Colors of Time” won the Audience Award. The Studio Canal film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, takes place between Normandy and Paris and follows four distant cousins who are reunited in their family home as they trace the journey of their 19th century ancestors. The ensemble-driven story explores themes of family heritage and generational connections with a cast led by Suzanne Lyndon, Abraham Wapler, Vincent Macaigne, and Julia Pearton.
Attendance increased this year and ticket sales increased by 23% compared to 2025, with 10,500 tickets issued for the entire event. The event screened 10 films directed by women and seven films directed by first-time or second-time filmmakers, attended free screenings for 897 students, and also held a lecture attended by more than 50 participants.
Rendezvous opened on March 5th with the New York premiere of François Ozon’s adaptation of Albert Camus’ novel The Stranger, and concluded with Julia Ducournau’s Alpha.
Other films that premiered at the showcase include Pauline Roquez’s “Nino.” Jude Law plays the fictional Vladimir Putin opposite Paul Dano in Olivier Assayas’ Venice-premiering political drama, The Wizard of the Kremlin. Dominique Mol’s procedural “Case 137” is set during the yellow vest movement and stars Léa Drucker. “At Work” by Valerie Donzelli. Arnaud Desplechin’s melodrama “Two Pianos”. Stéphane Demoustier’s historical masterpiece “The Great Arch” and Hafsia Herzi’s youth drama “Little Sister.” Jean-Paul Salomé’s “L’Affaire Bojarski”, etc.
Highlights include a master class hosted by Assayas discussing “Kremlin Wizards” at Columbia University; Also included is a Q&A with Assayas after a screening of the 2002 film “Demonlover.” The industry event also featured a panel discussion featuring producers Julie Billie (Little Sister), Leah Cheng Baker (President’s Cake) and Stephanie Rausch (Union County).
