Overview
The Paris Cinema International Film Festival was a Paris-based festival that ran from 2003 to 2014. Founded by then-Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë and Christophe Girard, then deputy for culture, the festival presented world and European premieres of international films across Paris's network of independent cinemas and art house venues. The festival ceased operations after its 12th edition in July 2014, when the organizing association closed due to loss of municipal subsidies. The festival is no longer active.
At its peak, Paris Cinema screened over 100 films across 12 days, with ticket prices at EUR 5 per screening or EUR 30 for an unlimited pass. The festival was presided over by actress Charlotte Rampling during its 9th edition in 2011. The festival's industry component, Paris Project, provided a co-production platform for international filmmakers.
The festival occupied a specific niche in the Parisian cinema landscape: it bridged prestige arthouse premieres (often films from Cannes) with broader public access, distributing screenings across multiple Parisian neighborhoods rather than concentrating them in a single venue. The festival also ran annual country focus programs, exploring the cinematic traditions of Brazil, Korea, Lebanon, the Philippines, Turkey, Japan, and Mexico in successive editions.
Festival Status
Paris Cinema is discontinued. The 12th edition in July 2014 was the festival's last. The organizing association closed due to lack of subsidies, with the City of Paris reducing its contribution by EUR 300,000 over four years. The festival still cost the city approximately EUR 740,000 annually at the time of closure, with box office revenue entirely redistributed to participating cinemas.
The festival's closure was confirmed by press release from Anne Barjot, Secretary General of the organizing association, in November 2014. The closure was not a temporary pause but a permanent cessation of operations.
Filmmakers who previously submitted to Paris Cinema should consider alternative Paris-based festivals, including the Champs-Elysees Film Festival (franco-american focus, June), the Paris International Fantastic Film Festival (PIFFF, genre focus, December), and Cinema Paradiso (Grand Palais event, June).
Key Sections (Historical)
- International Competition - films competing for jury prizes, judged by audience vote in later editions
- Premieres - world and European premieres of international films, often including Cannes highlights
- Retrospectives - programs honoring major filmmakers and national cinemas
- Country Focus - annual focus on a specific country's cinema (Brazil, Korea, Lebanon, Philippines, Turkey, Japan, Mexico)
- Paris Project - industry co-production platform selecting feature projects at concept or post-production stage
- Nuit de Cinema - opening night event at Forum des Images, including previously unreleased films
- Special Events - outdoor screenings and community events across Paris neighborhoods
What Filmmakers Should Know
Paris Cinema no longer operates. Filmmakers seeking a Paris premiere should consider the following alternatives:
- Champs-Elysees Film Festival - franco-american focus, held in June in the 8th arrondissement. Competition judged by audience.
- Paris International Fantastic Film Festival (PIFFF) - genre focus, held in December at Max Linder Panorama. Submissions via FilmFreeway, deadline typically October 31.
- Cinema Paradiso - large-scale public event at the Grand Palais, organized by MK2. Not a competitive festival.
- Festival du Film Nucleaire - niche festivals organized by Forum des Images, Centre Pompidou, and Cinematheque francaise (Reel, Etrange, Films restaures) throughout the year.
For international filmmakers seeking French distribution, the Marche du Film at Cannes (May) and the Les Arcs Film Festival industry program (December) remain the primary entry points for French market access.
Major Awards (Historical)
- Grand Prix - Best Film in the International Competition
- Special Jury Prize
- Audience Award - voted by festival audiences (in later editions, the audience served as the jury for the competition)
The 2014 Audience Award was given to Party Girl, which also won the Camera d'Or at Cannes that year.
Festival History
Paris Cinema was founded in 2003 by Bertrand Delanoë, then Mayor of Paris, and Christophe Girard, then deputy for culture. The festival was created as a public-facing event that would bring international cinema to Parisian audiences across the city's existing cinema infrastructure, rather than building a single festival venue.
From 2003 to 2014, the festival had varying fortunes. Early editions were expansive, programming over 100 films across 12 days. In later years, the festival reduced its programming by approximately two-thirds and shortened its duration as municipal subsidies declined. The City of Paris cut its contribution by EUR 300,000 over four years leading up to the closure.
The festival's identity was shaped by its position between Cannes (May) and the fall festival season. Distributors used Paris Cinema to maintain buzz for Cannes premieres ahead of their summer and fall theatrical releases. The festival's country focus programs introduced Parisian audiences to national cinemas that received limited distribution in France.
Paris Project, the festival's industry component, selected feature film projects at concept or post-production stage for co-production development during the festival. This program attracted international producers and filmmakers seeking European co-production partners.
The festival's closure in 2014 reflected broader pressures on Parisian cultural funding. The city already supported numerous cinema events, including the Champs-Elysees Film Festival, outdoor summer screenings, and thematic festivals organized by the Forum des Images, Centre Pompidou, and Cinematheque francaise. The saturation of Parisian cinema events contributed to the difficulty of maintaining a standalone international festival with a distinct identity.
Past Winners
Paris Cinema presented three main awards during its active years: the Grand Prix (Jury Prize), the Audience Award, and the Special Jury Prize. In later editions, the audience served as the jury for the competition.
2012 Grand Prix (Jury Prize): Just the Wind (director Bence Fliegauf, Hungary). This drama about a Romany family facing racist violence won the Jury Grand Prix at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival earlier that year. Hungary submitted it for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, though it did not make the final shortlist. The film was co-produced by Inforg-M&M Film (Hungary), The Post Republic (Germany), and Paprika Films (France).
2012 Audience Award and Students Prize: A Simple Life (director Ann Hui, Hong Kong). Deanie Ip won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 68th Venice International Film Festival for this film. Distribution Workshop handled international sales. The film earned $6,202,317 at the box office on a budget of $5.4 million. Hong Kong submitted it for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards.
2011 Audience Award, Jury Prize, and Bloggers Award: Declaration of War (director Valerie Donzelli, France). The film premiered in Cannes' Semaine de la Critique. Wild Bunch distributed the film internationally.
2008 Jury Prize and Audience Award: Young@Heart (director Stephen Walker, UK). This documentary about a senior citizen rock chorus was produced by Walker George Films for Channel 4. Fox Searchlight released it in the United States.
2014 Audience Award: Party Girl (directors Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger, and Samuel Theis). The film won the Camera d'Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and the Un Certain Regard Ensemble Prize. Pyramide Distribution released it in France on August 27, 2014.
Notable Alumni Films
Films that screened or won at Paris Cinema and their downstream trajectory:
- *Party Girl* (2014, directors Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger, Samuel Theis) - won the 2014 Paris Cinema Audience Award. The film also won the Camera d'Or and Un Certain Regard Ensemble Prize at Cannes 2014. Pyramide Distribution handled French theatrical release. The film starred Angeline Litzenburger playing herself, alongside the co-director Samuel Theis and his real siblings.
- *A Simple Life* (2011, director Ann Hui) - won the Paris Cinema Audience Award and Students Prize in 2012. It won 4 awards at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, including the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Distribution Workshop handled international sales. The film earned $6,202,317 globally.
- *Just the Wind* (2012, director Bence Fliegauf) - won the Paris Cinema Grand Prix in 2012. The film previously won the Jury Grand Prix at the Berlin International Film Festival. Hungary submitted it for the Foreign Language Oscar.
Submission Tips
Since Paris Cinema is discontinued, these tips apply to filmmakers considering the alternative Paris-based festivals listed above:
- Champs-Elysees Film Festival focuses on Franco-American cinema. Submit films that bridge French and American cultures. The competition is judged by audience vote, not a jury. The festival runs in June in the 8th arrondissement.
- PIFFF accepts genre films through FilmFreeway. The Paris International Fantastic Film Festival focuses on horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. Submit by the October 31 deadline. Screenings take place at Max Linder Panorama in December.
- For French distribution, target the Marche du Film at Cannes. The Cannes market in May remains the primary entry point for French market access. Paris-based festivals serve audience exposure, not acquisition.
- Les Arcs Film Festival offers European co-production opportunities. Held in December, its industry program attracts European producers and sales agents. Submit feature projects at concept or post-production stage.
- Forum des Images and Cinematheque francaise run thematic festivals year-round. These niche events program retrospectives and restored films. They do not run open competitions but accept submissions for specific themed programs.
Industry Reputation Notes
During its active years (2003 to 2014), the industry treated Paris Cinema as a public-facing festival that bridged Cannes premieres and broader theatrical release. Distributors used the festival to maintain buzz for Cannes films ahead of summer and fall releases. The festival was not an acquisitions market.
Compared to the Champs-Elysees Film Festival, which focuses specifically on Franco-American cinema and runs a smaller competition, Paris Cinema had broader international programming. Paris Cinema screened over 100 films across 12 days at its peak, while Champs-Elysees programs a tighter selection.
Compared to the Deauville American Film Festival, which attracts Hollywood talent and runs a competitive section for American independent film, Paris Cinema had a different identity. Deauville functions as a prestige American cinema event in France. Paris Cinema functioned as a multi-neighborhood public event distributing screenings across the city.
See Also
For active French festivals, see Cannes Film Festival and FIDMarseille. For festival strategy guidance, see Film Festival Strategy. For international film markets and distribution, see International Film Markets.
