FLORENCE, ITALY – The 16th edition of the France Odeon Festival, dedicated to French cinema, will take place in Florence from October 29 to November 2. This year’s program features 12 films, most of which are Italian premieres, along with a special tribute to French cinema icon Alain Delon. The event is organized in collaboration with Institut Français Firenze and Fondazione Sistema Toscana.
Screenings, events, and talks will be held at the cinema La Compagnia, the Institut Français, and for the first time, at the newly opened Teatro di Fiesole.
The guest of honor at this year’s France Odeon is French actor Vincent Lindon, who will present his film Jouer avec le feu (Playing with Fire). Lindon will be joined on stage by co-stars Stefan Crepon and Benjamin Voisin. Other notable guests include directors Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma, presenting their film Leurs enfants après eux, Baya Kasmi with Mikado, and Michel Boujenah, who will showcase Père et fils, Philippe Noiret’s final performance.
The festival will open with Niki, directed by Céline Sallette, a biopic about the life and art of Niki de Saint Phalle, starring Charlotte Le Bon. The film highlights Saint Phalle’s artistic journey and her complex relationship with sculptor Jean Tinguely.
This year’s jury, comprised of Tahar Ben Jelloun, Milena Vukotic, Carolina Pavone, and Maurizio Braucci, will award the “Foglia d’Oro – Manetti Battiloro” prize for Best Film in competition and the “Sguardi Mediterranei” prize. An under-25 jury will also crown the most popular film among younger viewers, while the audience will vote for the People’s Choice “Foglia d’Oro.”
On November 2, writer and jury member Tahar Ben Jelloun will meet the audience at Teatro di Fiesole for a discussion on cinema and literature, followed by a screening of La Piscine, starring Romy Schneider and Alain Delon, in honor of the legendary actor who passed away earlier this year.
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