06/08/2003

Polish-born cinematographer, Andrzej Zulawski, is the president of the jury of the 18th International French Film Festival -FIFF - scheduled to run in Namur from 26 September-3 October. This event is the showcase for French language film productions by the 55 territories that come under the Francophile Agency umbrella.
The programme includes a number of tentpole titels like L’autre, the eagerly awaited new film from Belgium’s Benoît Mariage (Les convoyeurs attendent), Faouzi Bensaidi’s Franco-Belgian co-production, Mille Mois (premiered at this year’s Un Certain Regard), Le Silence de la Forêt by Cameroun’s Bassek Ba Kobhio and Didier Ouénan, 20h17, rue Darling by Quebec’s Bernard Emond and Claude Miller’s La petite Lili. Namur also includes an international competition for features, shorts and documentaries and for the first time, the traditional Golden Bayard awards will include cash prizes of €48,000.

Market focus this year will be on Africa and the African producers’ and directors’ guild will present a selection of films about the role of the Black Continent in cinema.
The festival also includes all the usual industry and professional meetings, debates and round table discussions of an event of this calibre. Special attention is on the impact of new technology, with events organised by SACD, l'ASA and Femmimage.
On Wednesday 1 October, the programme features the continuation of a debate that was opened last year by the late Daniel Toscan du Plantier about Circulation, Promotion and Distribution of French-language films : Reality & Future Prospects. This debate has the support of CFB Belgium, France’s CNC and Quebec’s SODEC.
Those who wish to visit Namur should know that a Ciné Pass giving access to all screenings can be purchased for €10.

(Translated from French)