15/07/2002

The municipality has revoked its financial support of the Film Festival of Paris, and has proposed instead a festival of European Cinema next year. The municipality of Paris has caused a thunderstorm of controversy during the current Film Festival of Paris, announcing last Friday its withdrawal of financial support for the event and the creation of a new film festival in the French capital next year. According to the Cultural Office of the Municipality, this decision was made because of the evident decrease in participation at the current Film Festival. It is anticipated that the new project, which is for now only in the planning stages at the CNC (National Center of Cinematography) and the Ministry of Culture, will turn its attention to European cinema.
The reaction from the Paris Film Festival team appears to be calm. According to General Delegate Louise Morin, the event doesn't need the municipal funds (760,000 Euros) to survive. It will take place as scheduled March 24 to April 1st 2003, paying homage to Great Britain. Isabelle Adjani will serve as honorary president. But negotiations to avoid a war of festivals in Paris are currently underway.

(Translated from French)