American French Film Festival celebrates 30th anniversary in Los Angeles

The 30th anniversary of the American French Film Festival (TAFFF) has commenced at the DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles. The six-day event features a lineup of 60 films and series, including 31 fiction features, 11 series, four documentaries, and 14 short films.

Deputy Director Anouchka van Riel noted that the festival has evolved from a niche showcase into a significant industry event that serves as a bridge between French cinema and Hollywood. This year’s programming is described as a “cinema of resistance,” focusing on themes of individuals confronting systemic pressures, such as corporate machines, legal systems, and exploitative labor chains.

The festival includes several films positioned for Academy Award recognition. Notable entries include France’s official submission, Minotaur, a political thriller directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev. Other international contenders include Romania’s Fjord, directed by Cristian Mungiu, and Belgium’s Coward, directed by Lukas Dhont. The event opened with the animated feature In Waves, directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen.