Festival volunteers and friends met one Saturday morning at the Crest Theatre. You may recognize a few people... And guess who was really singing. Thanks to Michel Legrand & Jacques Demy for their song. Filmed by Raphael Hitzke.
Enjoy and forward to your friends!

7^th Annual SFFF

July 18-27, 2008 - Crest Theatre

1^st Short Films Competition

1/ELIGIBILITY

1. The film must deal with some aspect of French language or culture.

2. Running time must be 10 minutes or less.

3. The film must be in English or subtitled in English.

4. The competition is open only to US residents.

5. Films from individuals involved with the planning and/or administration of the SFFF cannot be considered for the competition. Such films may be presented at the Festival out of competition.

6. Films must be received no later than June 15^th, 2008.

2/REGULATIONS

1. The entry fee is 15 USD (payment by Paypal or check).

2. Any originating format is permissible, but screening copy must be submitted in NTSC DVD. Selected films will be shown in DVD format.

3. Please submit 2 screening copies.

4. Copies sent will not be returned.

5. You will receive an email notice before June 30^th, 2008 regarding whether or not your film has been selected for inclusion in the 2008 SFFF program.

Official Entry Form

The SACRAMENTO FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

The FRENCH AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY

& The CULTURAL SERVICES - FRENCH CONSULATE IN SAN FRANCISCO

Present
a FREE SCREENING of L'ESQUIVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & THEIR TEACHERS

The Consulate General of France in San Francisco in collaboration with the Sacramento French Film Festival and the French American Cultural Society introduces this year a new free program designed to expose high school French students in the Sacramento region to the wonderful culture of France through film. The program also aims to broaden insights into other cultures, enhance foreign language aptitude, develop skills for critical analysis of film, and inspire a lifelong appreciation of cinema. Over the past years, the Consulate has successfully organized similar screenings in the Bay area and in Seattle, in collaboration with the San Francisco Film Society and the Seattle International Film Festival Group. We hope that this first screening will be the start of a new annual tradition here in Sacramento.

L’Esquive (Games of Love & Chance) directed by Abdellatif Kechiche

High school kids rehearse a play by the 18th-century playwright Marivaux. As in the play, the kids' real life is charged with love, betrayal, jealousy, suffering, and arguments. The emotions haven't changed; only the way they are expressed is different. L'Esquive follows a group of teenagers, poor and immigrant for the most part. Krimo (Osman Elkharraz), whose dad is in prison, leaves his long-time girlfriend to pursue Lydia (Sara Forestier), a petulant girl who plays the lead role. Although he has no theater experience, his infatuation leads him to take the part of Arlequin to play opposite Lydia – making a fool of himself in the process. Arguments among the group quickly surface as Krimo's sudden love interest turns into a source of gossip and tension.

L'Esquive reveals a lot about France's multi-ethnic youth culture but it is almost more about verbal communication as Kechiche shows the contrast between Marivaux's literary language and the teenagers' rich and meaningful slang.

L'Esquive received four « César » (French Academy Awards) in 2005, including best picture, best director, best screenplay and best new talent for Sara Forestier.

Rating: Not Rated (language & drug use)

Screening for High School Students – Recommended for Grades: 11-12. Teachers are encouraged to bring students who will be able to handle the film’s language and style.

Reviews of the film:

http://movies.nytimes.com/2005/08/31/movies/31lesq.html

http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0535,ng,67305,20.html

This year’s program will also include a great short film to introduce the feature movie.

The Sacramento French Film Festival presents an EVENING of FRENCH SHORT FILMS
Saturday February 16th at 7pm at the Asylum Gallery!

We will present an original and assorted program of favorites from previous festival editions as well as French short films never shown before in Sacramento.
This free screening will be followed by wine and pastries. Don't miss it!

PROGRAM

Première Partie

Pigeon by Benoit Gand, 2006 (15 min) – PREMIERE
Jean-Pierre Pigeon is very superstitious. Watch out! He brings luck…
Les Crayons (the Pencils) by Didier Barcelo, 2004 (3 min) – SFFF 2007
A cute little girl is in love with a little boy, but is she as charming and sweet with everybody else?
September 11 by Idrissa Ouedraogo, 2006 (11 min 09) – PREMIERE
Part of the short films collection 11'09''01 - September 11. Right after 9-11, 5 young boys try to capture Osama bin Laden in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).
Le Manteau (The Coat) by Orlanda Laforet, 2006 (8 min) – PREMIERE
Sarah receives a phone call from the Lost & Found Department of Orly airport. They have found a suitcase that was misplaced 10 years ago. Inside the suitcase Sarah finds the coat of her deceased father…
Je suis une voix (One voice, one vote) by Jeanne Paturle & Cecile Rousset, 2006 (13 min 30) – PREMIERE
This film is an encounter between two voices that reflect upon political commitment and its absence.
Meme les pigeons vont au paradis (Even Pidgeons Go To heaven) by Samuel Tourneux and Simon Vanesse, 2006 (8 min 40) – SFFF 2007 – Oscar® Nominee (Animated Shorts). A priest tries to sell an old man a machine that, he promises, will transport him to heaven.

ENTRACTE

Deuxième Partie

Bonne nuit Malik (Good Night Malik) by Bruno Danan, 2006 (15 min) – PREMIERE
Malik lives with Bilal, his younger brother. They're both preoccupied with their work. Malik is working on a trial basis at a private club while Bilal must write a poem for school.

Le Portefeuille (The Wallet) by Vincent Bierrewaerts, 2003 (10 min 30) – SFFF 2005
One day, a man finds a wallet in the street. Or maybe he does not… He decides to give the wallet back to its owner or maybe he prefers to keep it…

Le Mozart des pickpockets by Philippe Pollet-Villart, 2006 (30 min 30) – SFFF 2007 – Oscar® Nominee 2008 (Live Action Shorts).
A pair of unlucky thieves find their fortunes have changed when they take in a deaf homeless boy. Grand Prix & Audience Prize - International Short Film Festival Clermont Ferrand 2007

See you there!

C'est La Chanson du Dimanche!
Deux musiciens concluent chaque semaine par une chanson decalee collant au plus pres a l'actualite politique et sociale en France. A decouvrir tous les dimanche !

Petit cheminot (La Chanson du Dimanche / saison 2-5)




Le Beaujo en Vlib (La Chanson du Dimanche / saison 2-9)

The first weekend of the 6th annual Sacramento French Film Festival was a great success.

Attendees enjoyed a fabulous opening reception with wonderful food, wine and entertainment provided by DJ Christophe, magician Stephane Jardonnet and a special appearance by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, a concert to remember! Reporter Jonathan Mumm from News 10 opened the Festival with Cecile and Connie, right before the presentation of the opening film The Witnesses. Films presentation followed all weekend to the audience's delight.

Rendez-vous on Saturday July 29th at the Crest Theatre for more fun, films and food!!!
The first film to be shown THE MAN OF MY LIFE will open the festivities at 10:30am.

Director Hedi Sassi will be in town to present his film TELL LOU I LOVE HER showing at 1pm on Saturday 28, during the short film program 2.

Other films will be LADY CHATTERLEY, THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN, FANFAN LA TULIPE (one screening only), EXTERMINATING ANGELS (one screening only) and DANS PARIS (one screening only) on closing night.

The films will be presented in a fun atmosphere: with pre-screening drawings; post-screening discussions (after selected screenings only); a show of artworks in the lobby of the Crest Theatre and a "Midnight Breakfast" following the screening of Exterminating Angels and a closing champagne party following Dans Paris.

See you at the Crest!