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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider 28th French Film Festival features French-Filipino collaboration and feminist voices

28th French Film Festival features French-Filipino collaboration and feminist voices

Published Dec 15, 2025 04:02 pm
Assistant Vice President for Marketing Jesus Raymund Aranas, Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France, SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, and Assistant Vice President for Operations John Brian Tarnate
Assistant Vice President for Marketing Jesus Raymund Aranas, Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France, SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, and Assistant Vice President for Operations John Brian Tarnate
The 28th French Film Festival concluded its week-long run in Manila, marking another milestone in the city’s annual celebration of global cinema. French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin led the launch at SM City Manila on Nov. 24, 2025, opening the doors to a diverse showcase of French and Filipino films.
Organized by the Embassy of France in the Philippines and Micronesia in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, this year’s edition highlighted co-productions, feminist storytelling, and contemporary animation. Screenings were held at SM City Manila and SM Aura until Nov. 30, followed by extended showings at the Alliance Française de Manille from Dec. 1 to 6. Special programs also took place at the UP Film Institute on Nov. 25–26 and Benilde School of Design and Arts on Nov. 28.
Audiences experienced a curated selection of newly released features, beloved classics, animated titles, and cross-cultural collaborations. Among the films presented were “Partir un jour” by Amélie Bonnin (2025) and “13 jours 13 nuits” by Martin Bourboulon (2025). Filipino director Erik Matti’s “Call My Agent” was screened alongside its French original, “Dix pour cent,” underscoring the creative synergy between the two countries.
Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France and SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin deliver their messages.
Ambassador Marie Aude Françoise Lassalle ep. Fontanel of the Embassy of France and SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin deliver their messages.
The festival also placed women’s voices at the forefront, in line with France’s feminist diplomacy under Ambassador Fontanel. A rising French actress joined as a special guest, engaging audiences in post-screening conversations on themes of courage, independence, and representation.
Animation took center stage through a partnership with the Animation Council of the Philippines, featuring “Animahenasyon” at Samsung Hall. The program showcased the boundless possibilities of the medium, reflecting the diversity of French cinema.
In addition, a two-day co-production conference was held on Nov. 27–28 at SM Aura, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and France’s National Center for Cinema and Animation (CNC). The event gathered French and Filipino producers, directors, and industry experts, fostering new creative relationships and paving the way for future projects under the landmark France-Philippines Co-Production Agreement.
French Embassy’s Cultural and Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal with Ambassador Marie Fontanel-Lassalle
French Embassy’s Cultural and Audiovisual Attaché Martin Macalintal with Ambassador Marie Fontanel-Lassalle
For almost three decades, the French Film Festival has served as a gateway for Filipino audiences to experience French culture through bold, intimate, and thought-provoking films. The 28th edition reaffirmed its role as a platform for collaboration, cultural exchange, and creative innovation, leaving audiences inspired by the richness of French cinema and the promise of French-Filipino co-creation.
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