The screening lineup and visiting guests for the 2013 French Film Festival, to be held from June 21st to 24th, have been announced. This year, the 21st edition will feature a total of 14 films over three days. French actress Nathalie Baye will serve as the festival's director this year. Other distinguished guests visiting Japan include director François Ozon of the opening film "In the House," newcomer Ernst-un Hauer, director Regis Roinsard of the pop entertainment film "Popuaire," which was nominated for five César Awards, and Deborah François, whose popularity is rapidly increasing in Japan. The announcement ceremony was attended by Christian Masset, the French Ambassador to Japan and a patron of the festival. "In 2012, many French films were featured in Japan, including 'The Artist,' which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and 'The Intouchables,' which was screened at last year's French Film Festival and became a huge hit in Japan. We hope to further enrich Japan-France relations by promoting and promoting the latest French films at this year's festival." Natalie, who will be leading the delegation, also commented, "I believe the diversity of French films is the reason they are so popular in Japan. Japanese people have an artistic sensibility that may seem different from French ones at first glance, but in fact, we are very similar." Natalie, a renowned actress beloved by masters such as François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard, stars in the much-anticipated film 'Laurence Anyways,' which will be screened at this year's French Film Festival. A special "Natalie Baye" special will run from June 21 to July 7, featuring approximately 15 films selected from her works. The French Film Festival has been held in Japan every year since 1993, and mainly screens French films that are being shown in Japan for the first time. Since last year, the festival has also been introduced to cities other than Tokyo, with plans to hold the festival in Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and other cities from time to time.



[Event Information]
French Film Festival 2013
Venue: Yurakucho Asahi Hall, TOHO Cinemas Nichigeki
Period: June 21st to 24th
Admission: 1,200 yen in advance, 1,500 yen on the day (general admission), 1,200 yen for students

Screening Schedule
June 21st: "In the House", "The Lost Man (working title) / No Woman in the House (working title)"
June 22nd: "Short Films", "Laurence", "Lola", "Thérèse Desqueroux"
June 23rd: "The Day of the Crow", "Wellington: The Man Who Defeated Napoleon (working title)", "Your Child", "The Man in the Black Suit"
June 24th: "La Traviata", "The Last Days of a Mother", "Populaire", "The Thrill of Love"