Young French Cinema Program Returns to the U.S.

The 11th edition of the Young French Cinema program, a collaborative effort between Villa Albertine and Unifrance, aims to showcase emerging French filmmakers to audiences in the United States and Canada. This initiative, which was on hiatus in 2025, features six films that have yet to secure U.S. distribution, making them available for booking by American arthouse theaters, film societies, festivals, universities, and cultural institutions.

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Among the films included in this year's lineup are Pauline Loquès’ “Nino,” which won a prize at the Deauville American Film Festival, and Amélie Bonnin’s “Leave One Day,” a romantic drama featuring French singer Juliette Armanet. Additionally, Valentine Cadic’s “That Summer in Paris” follows a young woman from Normandy as she travels to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The program also includes “Affection Affection” by Alexia Walther and Maxime Matray, “The Girl in the Snow” by Louise Hémon, and “Wild Foxes” by Valéry Carnoy.

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Villa Albertine and Unifrance have expressed their commitment to supporting younger generations of French talent by providing visibility across the U.S. They aim to foster a meaningful exchange with American audiences, offering insights into contemporary issues through French cinema. This initiative not only promotes French filmmakers but also supports the programming of American arthouse theaters and cultural institutions.

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Unifrance, founded in 1949 and based in Paris, is dedicated to promoting French film and television internationally. It comprises over 1,000 professionals, including producers, artists, and sales companies. Villa Albertine, an institution of the French Embassy in the U.S., facilitates collaborations between French and U.S.-based organizations through residencies and networking opportunities.

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In addition to the Young French Cinema program, Unifrance is preparing for the 31st Rendez-Vous with French Cinema festival in New York, scheduled for March 5-15, in partnership with Film at Lincoln Center.

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Villa Albertine and Unifrance stated, “We are pleased to support the younger generations of French talent by offering them visibility across the United States while supporting American arthouse theaters and cultural institutions’ programming.” They emphasized the initiative's role in providing American audiences with a compelling perspective on contemporary issues.

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• “This initiative fosters a meaningful exchange with American audiences, providing them with a compelling perspective on contemporary issues.” — Villa Albertine and Unifrance

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The Young French Cinema program represents a significant opportunity for emerging filmmakers to reach new audiences and engage in cultural dialogue, reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in the arts.

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