2nd from left H.E. French Amb. Gilles Garachon, from right: TV5 Pres. Noel Lorenzana, French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos and Ayala Malls Marketing Head Maricris Bernardino. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Jude Bautista

Cinema continues to be a significant field of cooperation in between France and the Philippines following the conclusion of a landmark agreement between the two countries. This comes as France nears two decades of bringing the best in French cinema to the Filipino public through the annual French Film Festival.

Last May 19, 2014 at the Cannes Film Festival, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Briccio Santos and Centre National du cinema et l’image animee (CNC) Deputy Director Michel Plazanet signed a film cooperation agreement outlining specific areas of collaboration between the agencies.

Stars from left: Mercedes Cabral, Maria Isabel Loopez, Althea Vega, Lance Raymundo and Alma Concepcion. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

According to the agreement, France and the Philippines will engage in efforts such as information sharing, reciprocal participation of national cinematographic works in film festivals, capacity building, archiving and anti piracy.

The facilitation of production and co production projects is also a highlight of the agreement. Director Pepe Diokno  is currently in the post production phase of his film ABOVE THE CLOUDS which is co produced by the French media outfit UNLIMITED. It was made possible through the World Cinema Support fund managed by the CNC and Institut Francais under the French Ministry of Culture and Communication and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Development.

The agreement will be effective for duration of two years and is renewable.

TV5 Artista Academy alums from left: Akihiro Blanco, Malak So Shdifat, director Brillante Mendoza, Chanel Morales and Mark Neumann. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

The signing of this accord comes shortly before the 19^th French Film Festival, which has consistently gathered thousands of viewers yearly to experience a certain French touch in filmmaking that is not easily accessible to the Filipino public.

The 19^th French Film Festival opens on June 9 with the romantic comedy 20 ANS D’ECART (IT BOY). Alice Lantin’s uptight attitude is the only thing preventing her from becoming the next editor in chief of a French fashion magazine. Everything changes when she meets 20-year-old Balthazar who may be the key to her promotion.

Center H.E. French Amb. Gilles Garachon, from left: Kickers Brand Mgr Kristine Balbuena, PRIMER Group of Companies AVP & GM Darwin Bañez, Delsey Brand Mgr Redg De Vera. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

This year’s festival features newly released French films that will be screened to the public from June 10-15 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas for a minimal price of P100. The line up of films include LA VENUS A LA FORTUNE (VENUS IN FUR), MONE AME PAR TOI GUERIE (ONE OF A KIND), UNE AUTRE VIE (LOVERS), AMOUR ET TURBULENCES (LOVE IS IN THE AIR), LES BEAUX JOURS (BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD), L’ECUME DES JOURS (MOOD INDIGO), QUAI D’ORSAY and SITUATION AMOUREUSE: C’EST COMPLIQUE (RELATIONSHIP STATUS: ITS COMPLICATED).

from left: TV5 Business Development Ian Monsod, TV5 Pres TV5 Pres. Noel Lorenzana and IBC Pres. Lito Ocampo Cruz. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

Outstanding Filipino films have gained renown in different international film festivals throughout the years. French viewers have been taking a keen interest in Philippine cinema, with the likes of Brillante Mendoza and Raya Martin becoming household names in France.

from right: TV5 reporter MJ Marfori and ABS CBN reporter Marie Lozano. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

The 19^th French Film Festival also pays tribute to Filipino filmmaking on June 12, Independence Day. The fest will screen three masterpieces that have had the honor of being showcased at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival: Lino Brocka’s digitally restored MAYNILA SA KUKO NG LIWANAG, Erik Matti’s OTJ and Lav Diaz’ NORTE HANGGANAN NG KASAYSAYAN.

For screening schedules and film synopses visit Spot.ph or the Embassy of France to the Philippines official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila

Tickets for the films will be on sale for a minimal price of P100 at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas.

The 19th French Film Festival is organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Alliance française de Manille and Institut Français, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and in cooperation with Greenbelt, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Ayala Center. The festival was made possible with the support of L’Oréal, Total, Peugeot, Sledgers, Kickers, Delsey, Le Cellier, Perrier, Monin, and Marithé François Girbaud, together with our official media partners: Solar News Channel, TV5, Town & Country Magazine, BusinessWorld, High Life, HerWord.com, Status Magazine, Travelife Magazine, and Spot.ph.

For inquiries, contact the Embassy of France to the Philippines at 0936 919 6097 or send an email to frenchfilmfest@gmail.com.

TV5 Artista Academy alums from left: Mark Neumann and Akihiro Blanco. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

2nd from left H.E. French Amb. Gilles Garachon, from left: French AudioVisual Attaché Martin Macalintal, French Press Attache Camille Conde, FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos and Cannes Award winning filmmaker Brillante Mendoza. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Taiwanese model Jessica Yang has made Manila her home. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: FDCP Exec Dir Teddy Granados, Quintin Cu Unjieng, PDI Entertainment reporter Marinel Cruz and Phil. Film Export Service Office Exec Dir. Jose Miguel Dela Rosa. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Lance Raymundo and Stylist Regina Raymundo. The 19th French Film Fest will run from June 10-15, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1, tickets are at 100 pesos. Photo by Jude Bautista

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