10/07/2006

Margaret Menegoz was re-elected unanimously on Friday for a second two-year term as president of Unifrance, France’s international film promotion agency.

Succeeding Daniel Toscan du Plantier in 2003, the Les Films du Losange producer outlined the main objectives of her new term: the necessity to "continue to develop new markets (such as China and India) and to pursue Unifrance’s work in countries with strategic importance for French films (Germany, Italy, Spain, the US and Japan)."

Ms. Menegoz emphasised the need of French professionals, producers, artists and exporters to strengthen their involvement in Unifrance’s policies. She also pointed out the importance of “working as closely as possible with foreign distributors so as to improve or secure French film’s market share around the world.”

The Unifrance board of management also appointed three new vice presidents to preside over the Feature Film’s Producers’ Committee (32 members), the Artistic Committee (20 members) and the Exporters’ Committee (20 members): producer Marie Masmonteil (Elzevir Films), director Tonie Marshall and international sales agent François Yon (Films Distribution), respectively.

Further appointments included Eric Névé (La Chauve-Souris), Jean-Paul Salomé and Loïc Trocmé (Gaumont ) as deputies of the committees.

Under the direct supervision of the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Unifrance has been responsible for the promotion of French cinema abroad since 1949 and is currently doing very well internationally. In 2005, 322 French features grossed €369m and garnered 73.6m admissions abroad (compared to 64.8m admissions in France – see news).

(Translated from French)