Moving closing ceremony for the Champs-Élysées Film Festival

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From 14 to 21 September 2021, the 10th edition of the Champs-Elysées Film Festival was held. Just Focus had the chance to discover several of the films screened but also to attend a closing ceremony full of emotions. The closing ceremony began with a speech by the master of ceremonies, but especially the president and founder of this festival, Sophie Dulac. She opens the ball by testifying on the importance of supporting cinema, "A cinemafilm is watched in the cinema". Following sanitary measures, cinemas were forced to close their doors for several months. A great victory for the cinema since the cinemas were full during the Festival. image0 scaled Moving closing ceremony for the Champs-Élysées Film Festival Several prizes were awarded at this ceremony, one part for French feature and short films, and another for American productions.

The Feature Film Jury

The Feature Film Jury consisted of the talented actress Agathe Rousselle, the soft-sounding singer Yael Naim, but also the director Aurel, the author, director and screenwriter Elie Wajeman, and chaired by the director Thomas Lilti. Here are the prizes awarded by this jury:

  • The Jury Prize for Best Independent American Feature Film at Cusp by Isabel Bethencourt and Parker Hill
  • Special mention for -ERR:REF-NOT-FOUND- Dash Shaw's Cryptozoo
  • The Jury Prize for Independent French Film at L'Énergie positive des dieux by Laetitia Møller ex-aequo with Au cœur du bois by Claus Drexel
  • Jury Prize for Best American Director Nana Mensah for her film Queen of Glory
  • Jury Prize for Best French Director to Anais Volpé for her film Entre les vagues
image8 scaled e1632345308593 Moving closing ceremony for the Champs-Élysées Film Festival

The Short Film Jury

Forthe Short Film Jury, it was chaired by director Naïla Guiguet, surrounded by actress Coralie Russier, director Alexandra Pianelli, singer, actor, DJ Kiddy Smile, actor and director Yoann Zimmer.
The following awards are presented:

  • The Jury Prize for Best American Short Film to There's a prison on fire in the forest by JLee MacKenzie
  • Special mention for Beauty Mark by Gina Hackett
  • The Jury Prize for Best French Short Film Afrokingdom by Jérémie Danon
  • Special mention for Écostez le battement de nos images by Audrey and Maxime Jean-Baptiste

ThePrix France Télévisions for French short film was awarded by Christophe Taudière to Contraindre de fleuryfontaine (Antoine Fontaine and Galdric Fleury). A prize that will allow these two talented directors to have their short film purchased by France Télévisions. Christophe insists on a phrase that echoes this programming, this festival aims to "Make the requirement accessible". image3 scaled Moving closing ceremony for the Champs-Élysées Film Festival

The Press Jury

The Press Jury composed of journalists Ava Cahen, Antoine Guillot, Mathilde Carton, Renaud Baronian awarded:

  • The Critics' Award for Best American Feature Film for the film Queen of Glory by Nana Mensah
  • The Critics' Award for Best French Feature Film to The Positive Energy of the Gods by Laetitia Møller

Audience Awards

Finally, the Public Prizes were awarded to:

  • The Audience Award for Best Independent French Feature Film to the film Le Monde après nous by Louda Ben Salah-Cazonas

This film, it's very personal. It tells part of my story and my wife's. I made this film to show him that I love him.

Louda Ben Salah-Cazonas

  • The Audience Award for Best Independent American Feature Film at -ERR:REF-NOT-FOUND- Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney's Strawberry Mansion
  • The Audience Award for Best Independent French Short Film to King Max directed by Adèle Vincenti-Crasson
  • The Audience Award for Best American Independent Short Film directed by Molly Gilli

A very touching ceremony, reminding us of the importance of supporting independent cinema as it should be. Young talents as talented as each other are highlighted thanks to this renowned festival. An experience rich in emotions followed by the screening of Emmanuel Marre and Julie Lecoustre's film Rien à foutre worn by Adèle Exarchopoulos. A film that will be released in early 2022. Sophie Dulac closes this ceremony on a positive note, in her effigy, "See you next year. Let cinema live." VISUEL SOIREE CLOTURE Moving closing ceremony for the Champs-Élysées Film Festival