The San Diego French Film Festival, presented by the Alliance Française San Diego, is back for its fourth edition from June 2nd to June 5th, with a glamorous opening ceremony on June 2nd at the high-end movie theater THE LOT in the heart of La Jolla, followed by the “Festival days”, three days of screenings at the Reading Cinemas Town Square in Clairemont.

The SDFFF is an opportunity for the San Diego francophone community to come together to celebrate the richness and diversity of the French language, culture, and gastronomy, and to experience the magic of cinema in all its glory.

“We are delighted to see the festival grow every year,” says Julie Ripoll, Executive Director of the Alliance Française San Diego. “Indeed the festival started as an online edition in 2021, has grown to a four day-festival this year, at two different locations to welcome more movies and more guests. The positive feedback from our guests and the support of our sponsors is heartwarming” she adds. “This year, the focus is on protecting maritime life, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward helping to protect imperiled manatees and their aquatic habitat.”

Four days to celebrate francophone cinema 

The movie selection includes award winning short and feature films with a rich mix of history, adventure, biopic and environmental documentaries.

The festival will kick off with a red-carpet opening ceremony on Sunday, June 2nd, at THE LOT. Attendees are invited to enjoy the screening of the acclaimed movie “The Three Musketeers: Milady” (2023) which clinched the prestigious César award. This cinematic masterpiece, co-produced by France, Germany, Belgium, and Spain, is directed by Martin Bourboulon and boasts a stellar cast including Eva Green, François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï, and Romain Duris. Serving as the eagerly anticipated second installment of the epic saga, adapted from Alexandre Dumas' timeless novel, it follows "The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan" (2023) (which will be shown as a pre festival event on May 3rd).

Preceding the main feature, attendees will be treated to the short film “Au Revoir Belmondo”, (2023) directed by Lisa Kohn who will attend the event. This tender tribute celebrates the illustrious French icon Jean-Paul Belmondo, promising to captivate cinephiles and fans alike with its heartfelt homage shot in Paris.

Throughout the event, guests will have the opportunity to step onto the red carpet and capture memorable moments with our team of photographers, overseen by Diane Hamacher Photography, who graciously returns to cover and sponsor the event once again.

Attendees who have Gala tickets for June 2nd will be automatically entered into a sweepstake for a chance to win gifts offered by sponsors of the festival: an incredible two-person getaway at Club Med, valued at $4,000, generously provided by TravelBootik and a VIP session, valued at $250, with renowned French hairdresser Jonathan Le Salon. Two more sessions will be offered to participants of the Festival Days.

After the screening, attendees are welcomed to a soirée featuring distinguished guests from the film industry, along with Julie Duhaut-Bedos, the General Consul of France in Los Angeles. Champagne, beverages, elegant hors d'oeuvres from The Lot, and delicious desserts crafted by the up-and-coming French pastry chef from San Diego, Clément Le Déoré, will be served. Following the soirée, guests can enjoy a lively dance party with a selection of Francophone music curated by DJ GRGTRAXX.

Monday, June 3rd, will be dedicated to the ocean, a central element in San Diego's lifestyle, featuring two environmental documentaries. “Humanatee”, (2023) a short film produced by Planet Froth Productions, chronicles the journey of Damien Leloup, a French archaeologist and underwater explorer based in San Diego, as he forms an unexpected connection with these majestic creatures. The documentary delves into the broader implications of humanity's impact on species extinction. Guests will have the opportunity to contribute to the nonprofit organization Save the Manatee through donations.

The feature documentary “Oceans” (2009) directed by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud, co-produced by Galatee Films, leads us to the heart of the oceans on the path of discovery of unknown or neglected marine creatures. Shot over 50 different places including South California, this powerful documentary has received multiple awards. 

The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Clay Epstein, President of Film Mode Entertainment, alongside Oscar winning producer Antoine de Cazotte, co producer at Galatee Films of the movie Oceans, Ricky Rhodes (writer/director) & Jordan Henderson (producer/creative director) from Planet Froth Productions producers of Humanatee. Scientists Arnaud Le Boyer, Physical Oceanographer and Julie Dinasquet, Marine Biology Oceanographer will bring their expertise to the discussion.

In line with the mission of the Alliance Française to promote education and culture, a screening and panel discussion will take place in the morning of June 3rd in partnership with the San Diego French American School, Language Academy and Le Lycée Français de San Diego.

On Tuesday, June 4th, the evening will commence with the screening of the short film "Monochrome" (2023), directed by Cédric Prévost. This will be followed by the feature film "Omar la Fraise" (2023), directed by Elias Belkeddar, starring Reda Kateb and Benoît Magimel. The movie depicts the escapades of Omar, a fugitive gangster attempting to lead a low-key life in Algiers to avoid a 20-year prison sentence from French authorities. This drama-comedy, nominated at both the Cannes Festival and the Festival du nouveau cinéma of Montreal, has garnered acclaim from critics. Telerama praised it, noting, "The evident chemistry between the commanding and intense Benoît Magimel and the mercurial and poignant Reda Kateb is one that will go down in cinema history."

The festival will draw to a close on June 5th, featuring the short film "Riad" (2023), directed by Yann Verburgh, and the feature film "Marinette" (2023). This compelling biographical sports drama, written, produced, and directed by Virginie Verrier, stars Cesar nominee actress Garance Marillier as Marinette Pichon, a trailblazer in French women's soccer. Notably, "Marinette" is the first non-fictional biopic about a female athlete produced in France and has been showcased at prestigious events such as the Tribeca Film Festival and the Young French Cinema.

Sponsors of the event include The LOT, Lycee Français de San Diego, Travelbootik, events.com, Film Mode Entertainment, San Diego French American School, Jonville Team, Jonathan Le Salon, Ingrid Pasco, Unifrance, Arif Law Offices, Clotilde French Book Store, Desserts by Clement, Diane Hamacher Photography, Française