This year's edition of the French Film Festival, focusing on the theme of 'Le film français au féminin', will spotlight French female filmmakers, from the young generation to the established ones, French actresses of all ages, as well as productions featuring remarkable female characters.

The festival will take place between September 23 and October 4, in eight cities in Romania: Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iaşi, Timişoara, Arad, Braşov, Brăila, and Suceava.

For the time being, the screenings are scheduled to take place in outdoor venues, according to a press release quoted by Radioromaniacultural.ro.

The films in the festival's program are grouped into three sections. The Focus on Young Directors section looks at the new wave of filmmakers working on their first or second feature film. The Panorama section will feature French films awarded at prestigious festivals or that were popular with the public. At the same time, the Cahiers du Cinéma: vive les insoumuses! Week, designed by film critic Joachim Lepastier, is meant to pay homage to the 'disobedient muses' in front and behind the camera.

The festival also runs a partnership with Rezidența FemArt, a project of the Romanian Association of Women in Cinema (ARFC). As part of the residence, five Romanian women directors who are just starting out will take part in an intensive work week with industry specialists. Associated events, such as film screenings as part of the festival, masterclasses, and pitching sessions will also take place.

The festival is organized by the French Institute in Romania.

(Photo: The building of the French Institute in Bucharest by Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com)

simona@romania-insider.com