Cyprus Mail 19 January 2021 - by Eleni Philippou
It’s the world’s first online French-language film festival and it’s currently taking place for the 11th time. MyFrenchFilmFestival.com, which started a few days ago and will last until February 15, aims to shine a spotlight on new generation French-language filmmakers and give internet users across the globe the chance to share their enthusiasm for French cinema. The 2021 edition has new films, new partner platforms and film launches.
Ten feature films and ten short films are presented in competition, including one of each from Belgium. By visiting the festival website and exploring the films, internet users are invited to rate them and post comments. The line-up also offers an out-of-competition programme that includes a Swiss feature film, a Canadian feature film and short film, a programme for young audiences, a VR section, and a selection of French cinema classics.
So, how can you watch? Visit MyFrenchFilmFestival.com, create a user account and watch all of the short films for free and the feature films for €1.99. Alternatively, you can purchase a Festival Pack for €7.99 for access to all available films.
The film selection in 2021 is organised around themes that reflect the diversity and vitality of French-language cinema. The ‘Forever Young’ theme covers coming-of-age stories about young people and the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The ‘Crazy Loving Families’ theme is about moments of humour, tenderness, and complicated family situations. Through heartrending, explosive, and unique portraits, the ‘True Heroines’ theme celebrates female figures – women and girls who take full control of their destiny.
‘French Ghost Stories’ offers a panorama of ghostly tales à la française. ‘On the Road’ evokes the migration of women and men portrayed in the cinema, as they flee international conflicts. In the ‘Love is Love’ section, you will discover a documentary and three short films that question love in all its shapes and forms.
With ‘Kids Corner’, you can share your love of French cinema with your youngest friends and family members in a programme of animated shorts with no dialogue. Lastly, ‘New Horizons’ invites you to discover new forms of images, new models of artistic creation and innovation in current French cinema.
At the festival’s Closing Ceremony, five awards will be announced. The Grand Prize from the International Jury honouring a feature film in competition. The Audience Prizes with international viewers voting for their favourite films on the festival platform and the International Press Prizes awarding a feature film and a short film in competition, with a jury composed of journalists from major foreign media outlets. Theatres may be shut, but the Cineworld is alive and it’s shining a light on French-language movies.
My French Film Festival
11th edition of online film festival featuring French-language movies. Until February 15. Watch short films for free and feature films for €1.99. MyFrenchFilmFestival.com
