LETTER TO OUR MEMBERS
”THANK YOU & INTRODUCTION TO 2024!”
February 12th, 2024
Dear French In Motion Members,
As we bid farewell to 2023, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and engagement with French In Motion. Together, we've achieved significant milestones and fostered meaningful connections between the US and France.
A Year in Review: Celebrating Milestones
Canneseries Partnership:
In collaboration with Canneseries for the first time, we were thrilled to be part of their event as they introduced the new category "Documentary Series Competition." Our President, Laetitia Doyle, was invited to moderate a compelling panel discussing the docuseries boom, featuring industry experts from Netflix, Studio Canal and Imagissime.
“Animation First” Festival
We partnered with Animation First in New York, the only festival in the US dedicated to showcasing French and Francophone animation. Our panel, "Pencil on the Pulse: Pitching and Producing in Today's Animation Market," featured notable professionals from Unanimation Group, Sony Pictures Television Kids, Sacrebleu Productions, and Nickelodeon.
Unifrance Collaboration
Our sixth collaboration with Unifrance and Film at Lincoln Center during Rendez-vous with French Cinema focused on "Queer Identity on Screen", featuring esteemed directors Florent Gouëlou, Christophe Honoré, Vuk Lungulov-Klotz, Georden West and moderated by Yoruba Richen, Director and Producer.
“Double Exposure” Film Festival
We joined the Double Exposure film festival and symposium in Washington DC, highlighting investigative films, including a Q&A session on the closing night with Mouaz Moustafa after the screening of "The Lost Souls of Syria."
“Animation is Film” Festival
For the second year, we partnered with the Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles, hosting a panel on the use of AI in animation, featuring speakers from various backgrounds.
These accomplishments were made possible by your dedication and passion. Thank you for being an integral part of our community.
We also express our gratitude to our valued sponsors and partners for their unwavering support : CNC, Villa Albertine, Maison Occitanie, Unifrance, and FIAF.
2024 kicked off with a bang, hosting two significant events :
Launch of the first edition of "Movie Nights by French In Motion":
In Washington DC, we launched "Movie Nights by French In Motion," a series of monthly screenings featuring local and international filmmakers followed by discussions. The inaugural screening of "RUDY GOBERT n°27" at the Maison Française on January 23rd, in partnership with the French Embassy, included an introduction by Ambassador of France Laurent Bili and an exceptional Q&A with NBA player Rudy Gobert, producer Sébastien Onomo, and director Jonathan Benshimon.
Industry Day with Animation First
We collaborated with FIAF and Animation First to organize an industry day, where professionals from the XR/VR industry experienced the VR immersive experience "Gaudi The Atelier of the Divine" for the first time in the US and guided by the creators of the project from Gedeon Experiences. The event also featured an inspiring panel, "Confluence of Creativity: Exploring Art, Narratives, and Technologies," moderated by Jamie Pallot, Executive Producer, Sensorium, and including Eric Shiner, President of Powerhouse Arts, Jazia Hammoudi, Program Director at Onassis ONX and Riki Kim, Executive Creative Director at Artechouse.
Looking Ahead to 2024: Anticipating New Opportunities
As we enter the new year, we are excited about the possibilities ahead.
In 2024, we're eager to explore ways to enhance member involvement and foster collaborations within our community. We're considering expanding our offerings to include more online and in person panels, conversations, and masterclasses, but we recognize that the success of these initiatives depends on active participation from our members. Our goal is to strengthen the bonds between our various chapters and provide opportunities for members to connect, share their work, and engage with each other and we are working on a dedicated space for exchange on our website.
Here's a glimpse of what to expect:
New Website: We're launching a revamped French In Motion website with enhanced functionality and a dedicated page for members to connect.
Launch of PARIS MEET UP, lead by Anne Voirin and Rory Koslow who will be your link French In Motion in a Paris bureau !
New partnerships with Markets and Festivals
Upcoming Events: Stay tuned for Rendez-vous with French Cinema in New York and the return of the Market Project at Gotham Week in October 2024 and our call for project!
In that regard, we would like to welcome our new HEAD OF USFR (US&French Connection) who will pilot this initiative: Stéphanie Valloato - Stéphanie is a French screenwriter and film director, based in New York City. She has written and directed a dozen of documentaries for TV. Her first feature length documentary “Cartoonists foot soldiers of democracy” has been selected at Cannes Film Festival, in many international festivals and was nominated for the César Awards. She received the Henri Langlois Award for Best Documentary. Stéphanie is currently editing her last feature length documentary shot in France and in the USA and is developing new film projects.
Your involvement and contributions are crucial in realizing these plans. We invite you to join us on this journey.
New Year, New Goals: How You Can Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities: Explore ways to contribute your skills and time. Contact us for more information.
Member Spotlights: Share your story and experiences with the community. We'd love to feature you in our newsletters.
Feedback and Suggestions: Your input is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts on current initiatives and future endeavors.