Los Angeles Buzz: COLCOA French Film Festival Celebrates 21st Anniversary

COLCOA, which stands for City of Lights, City of Angels, kicked of its 21^st year with a lovely reception at the Beverly Hills residence of Monsieur Christophe Lemoine, Consul of France in Los Angeles. Champagne and drinks were served while François Truffart, Executive Producer and Artistic Director of COLCOA, introduced a record slate of 82 films, TV series and web series, of which 70 will be competing for the COLCOA Awards, including several world, international, North American, and U.S. premieres. For its 21^st edition, the festival will continue to unfold an eclectic programme that includes virtual reality and a web series competition for the first time.

The 9-day festival will open on the 24^th of April with the North American premiere of legendary director Claude Lelouch’s newest film, Everyone’s Life. This ensemble film features Johny Hallyday and Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin, among a high profile cast of 50 French actors.

Truffart stated that, “While entertainment is still the key word for the program, with a balanced mix of comedies and dramas, several topical issues will cover the programme this year, including the environment, discrimination, racism, terrorism, and the role of the artist in society. More than ever, COLCOA will offer a unique opportunity to see these universal topics from different angles.”

Some interesting and exciting programmes offered at the festival include the After 10 Series, COLCOA Classics, COLCOA.Doc, World Cinema Produced by France, and the Film Noir Series. I particularly enjoy the Happy Hour talks, a series of panels that are free to the general public. The final panel will be dedicated to the famous French film composer, Jean-Claude Petit, who will meet the audience on April 29.

Sunday afternoon is always a treat when COLCOA hosts a party with an enormous and delicious anniversary cake along with wine for all attendees.

COLCOA French Film Festival is funded by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a partnership of the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music, and the Writers Guild of America West, with the vital support of L’ARP (France’s Association of Authors, Directors, and Producers), the CNC, the Los Angeles film and TV Office of the French Embassy, TV France International, and Unifrance.

The festival will close on Tuesday, May 2, with the North American Premiere of Eric Lavaine’s new romantic comedy, You Choose, starring Alexandra Lamy.

Screenings take place at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Screenings are in French with English subtitles or in English.

Tickets are available for advance purchase online at www.colcoa.org until April 20, and during the festival at the COLCOA Box Office.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults (ages 22+); $11 for seniors; $5 for students and ages 21 and under.

Several screening and events are free of a first-come, first-serve basis, with no reservation needed.  Visit colcoa.org for details.