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Editorial
 We, along with the entire Unifrance team, wish you a very happy 2026. May French films continue to travel the world! In an international context marked by tensions and divisions, our creation more than ever embodies our values and reminds us of the unique power of cinema and audiovisual media: to bring people together, encourage exchange, and open dialogue, far beyond borders. By contributing to the replenishment of our narratives, our representations of living together, and our icons, and by making our works ever more inclusive and accessible, we are pursuing a common goal: to ensure the influence and dissemination of French cinema and audiovisual media throughout the world, among all audiences. Spreading the cultural ideal and tolerance that our works vigorously defend is a major democratic challenge today. Unifrance faces many challenges in 2026. First, through our actions in various territories: in constant dialogue with you, we will continue to adapt to changes in international markets, particularly in the audiovisual sector. But also through digital channels: the strengthening of our editorial strategy on social media, recently supported by the launch of our new consumer brand My French Stories, illustrates this desire to offer creative, attractive, and targeted content capable of feeding the curiosity and imagination of viewers, especially younger ones. We will continue our efforts in the area of economic intelligence, with a first meeting on January 12 during Export Day, at which estimates for French cinema box office revenues worldwide in 2025 will be presented. The 28th Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris will open on January 13. We are delighted to welcome more than 500 international buyers from the film and audiovisual industries, as well as over a hundred foreign journalists and as many French artists for the press junket. This is a particularly valuable tool at a time when press coverage is undergoing a profound crisis around the world. This collective momentum is proof of the effectiveness of our model for supporting creation and culture, which is widely recognized and envied internationally. A big thank you to the CNC for its unwavering confidence, as well as to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and PROCIREP. Their continued support has been crucial, particularly for the creation of the Unifrance Endowment Fund. We would also like to thank our private sector sponsors. We also wish to thank you, dear members, for your ongoing commitment to Unifrance. Membership fees will be due in January: we thank you in advance for your vigilance and responsiveness. In June, all our governing bodies will be renewed; we are counting on your participation and valuable commitment to our mission. Finally, we would like to thank the entire Unifrance team for their dedication and energy, which are essential to the smooth running of our organization.
Happy New Year to you all! Gilles Pélisson and Daniela Elstner
President and Executive Director of Unifrance
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The program of the 28th Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris
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The 28th Rendez-vous d'Unifrance à Paris will take place from January 13 to 20. On the film front, 400 buyers (from 40 countries) and 43 feature film export companies are expected to attend. On the audiovisual front, more than 100 buyers (from 24 countries) and 50 distribution companies will be present. Five short film sales organizations will also participate in the market. 71 films and three programs, as well as one audiovisual showreel, will be screened as part of the Paris Screenings. In total, nearly 1,000 people will be accredited for the event. The press junket will welcome nearly 120 foreign journalists (from around 30 countries) and as many French artists, who will meet for interviews to accompany the release and broadcast of 83 French films and nine audiovisual programs throughout 2026.
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Export Day Leading up to the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, the 6th Export Day will bring together producers, exporters, distributors, broadcasters, artists, and institutional representatives from France and Europe on Monday afternoon, January 12, at the CNC. These professionals will come together to analyze and compare their views on the challenges facing French film and audiovisual exports in the coming years, as well as the issues surrounding international co-production, promoting works to new audiences, and the opportunities offered by film and audiovisual media for thinking about the world of tomorrow. Export Day will also be an opportunity to reveal the figures and trends for French cinema and audiovisual works internationally for 2025.
Opening night On Tuesday, January 13, in the evening, the Pathé Palace will host the screening of the Rendez-Vous' opening night film, Comédie Française, by Bertrand Usclat and Martin Darondeau, produced by Thomas Verhaeghe and Mathieu Verhaeghe for Atelier de Production, and sold internationally by Charades. This special screening, reserved for international distributors and buyers accredited to the Rendez-Vous, will take place at the Pathé Palace movie theater, in the presence of the film's artistic crew.  Comédie Française
Film and audiovisual market The film and audiovisual market will take place from January 13 to 17 at Espace C2 in the Pullman Paris Montparnasse hotel. On the film front, nearly 400 international buyers from 40 countries are expected to attend, and 43 French feature film sales companies and five French short film sales companies will be there to present their latest offerings. On the audiovisual front, 100 buyers from 24 countries will be present and will be able to meet with 50 French audiovisual distribution companies.  Paris Screenings The Paris Screenings (film and audiovisual market screenings) will take place, for film, from Tuesday, January 13, in the early afternoon until Thursday, January 15, in the late afternoon. The audiovisual screenings will be held on Wednesday, January 14, in the morning. The screenings, accessible with accreditation, will be held at Pathé Parnasse (January 13-15) and Les 7 Parnassiens (January 14). International buyers will be offered: - 71 films, including 39 market premieres
- 3 audiovisual programs, including one market premiere, and one showreel
Unifrance Distribution Award The second Unifrance Distribution Award, created with the support of the CNC to recognize a foreign distribution company whose promotional and release campaign for a French film has been deemed particularly ambitious and innovative, will be presented on Wednesday, January 14 at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse.
Unifrance Broadcaster Award The first Unifrance Broadcaster Award will recognize the foreign broadcaster that has made the greatest contribution to promoting French audiovisual works internationally. This award will also be presented on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse, at the same time as the Unifrance Distribution Award.
Announcing Unifrance's 10 to Watch 2026 Emerging filmmakers and actors: they made a name for themselves at major international festivals in 2025 and will be on screens around the world in 2026. They are the new faces of French cinema.
Selected by international journalists Rebecca Leffler (Screen International), Fabien Lemercier (Cineuropa), Jordan Mintzer (The Hollywood Reporter), Christine Masson (France Inter), and Mariam Schaghaghi (freelance journalist for the German press), Unifrance's 10 to Watch 2026 embody the renewal of French cinema through the freedom and uniqueness of their artistic choices, their ambition, their audacity, and their openness to the world… Unifrance is proud to honor this new generation, which is contributing fully to the effervescence of French filmmaking—and sometimes audiovisual creation—and to encourage the distribution of their works beyond France's borders. The list of these ten artists will be revealed, in partnership with Screen International, on Thursday, January 15 at 1 pm.
French Cinema Award On the evening of January 15, at the French Ministry of Culture, Unifrance will present a French Cinema Award to Cédric Klapisch.
Created in 2016 by Unifrance, the French Cinema Award (designed by Jean Lamore for Maison Daum) is intended to pay tribute to a leading French personality who has made a significant contribution to the influence and dissemination of French cinema around the world.
Since 2016, the award has been presented to producers Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam, Italian distributor Andrea Occhipinti (Lucky Red), Chinese distributor La Peikang (China Film Group),German distributor Torsten Frehse (Neue Visionen Filmverleih), Spanish distributor Adolfo Blanco Lucas (A Contracorriente Films), actresses Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche, and Virginie Efira, actor Melvil Poupaud, director of the Chinese Cinémathèque Sun Xianghui, president and founder of Lumière Pavilions Jane Shao, and film directors Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, Olivier Assayas, and Rebecca Zlotowski. 
International press junket The press junket, dedicated to French films and audiovisual programs set to be released or broadcast abroad in 2026, will take place from January 17 to 20 at the Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe, attended by nearly 120 French artists (directors, actors, actresses, showrunners, etc.) who will meet with as many international journalists—covering film and TV—from around 30 countries. 83 films and nine audiovisual programs will be the focus of these encounters. The photo studio will be entrusted to photographer Marie Rouge. Last but not least, taking advantage of the presence of numerous international journalists at the Rendez-Vous, Unifrance will once again partner the Lumières Awards ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, January 18, at the Institut du Monde Arabe. The 28th Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris receive support from: République Française, CNC, Institut Français, PROCIREP, TitraFilm, Wallonie Bruxelles Images, Cinando, Davines, Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe, Le film français, and Variety Official suppliers: Estandon & Super Bock
(Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.) Unifrance also thanks: Maison Pommery & Associés, Patron of the Unifrance Endowment Fund. .
The presentation of the 10 to Watch 2026 during the Rendez-Vous is supported by Screen International.
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Unifrance to present a French Cinema Award to Cédric Klapisch
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Cédric Klapisch tender and universal cinema has long been popular with foreign audiences, with his films regularly distributed and acclaimed by viewers outside France. Unifrance will present him with a French Cinema Award on January 15th at the French Ministry of Culture. Created in 2016 by Unifrance, the French Cinema Award (designed by Jean Lamore for Maison Daum*) is intended to pay tribute to a leading French personality who has made a significant contribution to promoting French cinema around the world.
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 Cédric KlapischAfter studying literature and cinema at university in Paris, Cédric Klapisch went to study in the United States at New York University, where he obtained a Master of Fine Arts and directed several short films. This American experience played an important role in his career as a filmmaker, opening him up to a more international approach, but also to a cinema of everyday life accessible to a wide audience. Back in France, in 1989 he directed his famous short film Ce qui me meut, a tribute to the pioneers of cinema, which won him several prestigious awards (including the Audience Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at Clermont-Ferrand). The film also gave its name to his production company, which is still active today under the leadership of producer Bruno Lévy. He then moved on to feature films with Little Nothings, nominated for the César Awards in 1992. The filmmaker became known to a wide audience in the 1990s with Good Old Daze, co-written with his lifelong friend Santiago Amigorena (with whom he would go on to collaborate numerous times, and who discovered Romain Duris, who would become one of Klapisch's favorite actors). This was followed by When the Cat's Away and Family Resemblances, based on the play by Agnès Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri, which established his style based on keen observation of human relationships and social groups. However, it was in the early 2000s that his fame spread far beyond France's borders. In 2002, Pot Luck enjoyed significant international success, particularly in Europe, becoming an iconic film for students and the Erasmus spirit. The film was widely distributed abroad, followed in movie theaters by Russian Dolls and Chinese Puzzle, and, in 2023, by the series Salade grecque, confirming the international audience's attachment to Klapisch's characters, and even to their descendants!
Klapisch went on to pursue a career marked by ensemble films and universal themes, such as Paris, Back to Burgundy, Someone, Somewhere, and Rise, which were regularly screened at international film festivals. He has thus established himself as one of the most recognized contemporary French directors outside France, capable of reaching a global audience thanks to universal subjects such as the passage of time, youth, identity, work, art, and human connections. According to figures compiled by Unifrance, Cédric Klapisch's films have so far attracted 8,920,000 admissions internationally. His latest feature, Colours Of Time, which features the cream of French film talent (both established and up-and-coming) and was a huge hit in France with over 900,000 admissions, has been sold in nearly forty countries. The tribute clip to Cédric Klapisch's career and works
to watch by clicking on the image below ⬇️ 
The French Cinema Awards since 2016 2016 - Producers Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam (The Little Prince)
- Italian distributor Andrea Occhipinti (Lucky Red)
2017 - Actress Isabelle Huppert
- German distributor Torsten Frehse (Neue Visionen Filmverleih)
- Chinese distributor La Peikang (China Film Group)
2018 - Actress Juliette Binoche
- Director of the Chineses Cinémathèque Sun Xianghui
- Spanish distributor Adolfo Blanco Lucas (A Contracorriente Films)
2019 - Directors Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano
2020 - Director Olivier Assayas
- Jane Shao, president and founder of Lumière Pavilions, a movie theater chain in China
2023
2024
2025 - Director Rebecca Zlotowski
* Art is the visible expression of emotions, a universal language. It is even “made to disturb,” according to Braque. To evoke Daum is to awaken memories of an ancestral art form. It also bears witness to an unbreakable bond with the art world, through more than 400 collaborations (Armand, Braque, Dalí, Mesnager, and Kongo, to name but a few). Through the French Cinema Award, Maison Daum wanted to highlight the brilliance of a magical piece representing the wings of an angel in white crystal, designed by Jean Lamore, a true symbol of the pure emotion of aesthetic pleasure.
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Unifrance presents its 6th Export Day
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Created in 2021 by Unifrance, Export Day brings together distributors, broadcasters, producers, exporters, artists, and institutions from France and Europe each year to discuss the challenges of exporting French film and audiovisual works around the world. Export Day takes place ahead of the 28th Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, the world's largest market and press junket dedicated to French films and audiovisual works, which will be held from January 13 to 20, 2026.
The event's program 2:00 pm: Doors open 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Opening - Introductory remarks by Gaëtan Bruel, President of the CNC
- Introductory remarks by Gilles Pélisson, President of Unifrance
- Introductory remarks by a representative of the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm: French Cinema in the World in 2025 - Moderator: Gilles Renouard, Director of Cinema at Unifrance
- Participants: Carole Baraton, Co-founder of Charades, and Grégoire Melin, President of Kinology
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm: "3 questions": France, co-producer of world cinema - Participants: Charles Gillibert, President of CG Cinéma, and Jérémie Kessler, Director of European and International Affairs at the CNC
3:45 pm – 4 pm: Conversation: MyMetaStories, new promotional strategies for new audiences - Participants: Martin Dawson, Head of Unit – Media, European Education and Culture Executive Agency at the European Commission, Daniela Elstner, Executive Director of Unifrance
4:15 pm – 5 pm: French audiovisual works in the world in 2025 - Moderator: Sarah Hemar, Director of Audiovisual at Unifrance
- Participants: François Bertrand, Executive Director of Camera Lucida Productions and CPB Films, Caroline Duvochel, Executive Director of Ellipse Animation, Julie Tolza, Producer and Distributor at Seventine
5 pm – 5:45 pm: Demain en vues, envisioning tomorrow's world through images - Moderator: Daniela Elstner, Executive Director of Unifrance
- Participants: members of the 2025-2026 jury: Nathan Ambrosioni, director and screenwriter, Suzy Bemba, actress, Arthur Robert, Founder and Artistic Director of OUEST Paris, and Alice Douard, director of Love Letters, recipient of the 2026 Demain en vues label.
5:45 pm: Closing ceremony 6 pm: Cocktail reception at the CNC
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Young French Cinema returns in 2026 with a new generation of French talents
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In a joint statement, Villa Albertine and Unifrance said: “We are delighted to support the younger generation of French talent by offering them visibility across the United States, while also supporting the programming of arthouse cinemas and American cultural institutions. This initiative promotes enriching exchanges with American audiences, offering them an interesting perspective on contemporary issues.” Unifrance will coordinate screenings and accompany filmmakers on trips and tours, in parallel with preparations for the 31st Rendez-Vous With French Cinema in New York, organized with Film at Lincoln Center, which will take place from March 5 to 15, 2026.
The YFC 2026 selection - That Summer in Paris by Valentine Cadic
- Affection Affection by Maxime Matray and Alexia Walther
- Wild Foxes by Valéry Carnoy
- Nino by Pauline Loquès
- Leave One Day by Amélie Bonnin
- The Girl in the Snow by Louise Hémon
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"Montclair & The Mechanical Mysteries": a high‑energy adventure for young audiences in a revisited Paris
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Adapted from the French graphic novels for younger readers, "Les Aventures fantastiques de Sacré Cœur," the animated series takes young viewers on a journey to a revisited Belle Époque Paris, where ingenious inventions and mythical creatures clash at the foot of the capital's most iconic monuments. Aimed at young viewers, Montclair & The Mechanical Mysteries, consisting of twenty-six 22-minute episodes, combines adventure, fantasy, and comedy in a rich and vibrant steampunk universe. The series is driven by a dynamic narrative and strong visual identity, supported by ambitious 2D animation. Produced by Ankama Animations, Belvision, and Pictanovo, and distributed internationally by Mediatoon Distribution, the series is currently in production and will be broadcast this spring on France Télévisions. It has already been pre-sold by TV5MONDE.
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In this interview, Patricia Robert, Director of Audiovisual and Executive Producer at Ankama Animations, and Frédéric Gentet, Head of Sales at Mediatoon Distribution, discuss the project's origins, its narrative and artistic choices, and its major strengths in appealing to foreign markets and enhancing its international reach.
Unifrance: The animated series is adapted from the graphic novels for younger readers, “Les Aventures Fantastiques de Sacré Cœur.” What motivated you to bring this work to the screen?  Patricia Robert Patricia Robert: The 16 volumes comprising the graphic novel have already won over thousands of young readers thanks to their visual richness and inventive heroes. The character of Montclair embodies creativity and team spirit, values that are very dear to us. And all this in an iconic setting: Paris during the Belle Époque. The adaptation into an animated series quickly became an obvious choice. Together with our partners, we have enriched the universe of the novels by integrating a background storyline to give more depth to the characters and appeal to a wide audience.
What are the series' major draw cards for appealing to foreign markets and enhancing its international reach?  Frédéric Gentet Frédéric Gentet: Montclair & The Mechanical Mysteries draws on several strengths to appeal to an international audience. Paris, a legendary city, embodies a universal realm that has always fascinated people and captured their imaginations. As in Miraculous, where the French capital becomes a character in its own right, or in Mystery Lane, which sets London in the heart of its plot, our series transforms the City of Light into a veritable playground. In addition, the steampunk universe and a graphic approach inspired by a retro anime style bring a breath of fresh air, and initial feedback from our partners confirms enthusiasm. Add to that endearing heroes, a gallery of colorful secondary characters, and imaginatively revisited settings: all elements that make the series immediately accessible and attractive.
Each episode pivots around a new invention in response to the appearance of an evil creature. Why did you choose this narrative structure? P.R.: We wanted creativity to be the driving force behind the series. Each invention is a challenge and a promise of adventure, both in the air and underwater. This approach ensures a fast pace for plots as varied as the antagonists: a werewolf, a magician, robots, vampires, and even dinosaur skeletons! It also reflects the personality of Montclair, a child who transforms his ideas into solutions to protect those he loves, with the help of his friends.
The secondary characters and fantastical creatures bring a strong comedic dimension to the series. How does this balance between humor and adventure enhance its appeal to international audiences? F.G.: The series combines adventure and mystery in a fantasy setting, but humor remains a key element. This is reflected in the camaraderie between the heroes and, above all, in the cast of endearing creatures, who are sometimes frightening, often absurd, but always highly visual and comical. In addition, Montclair's companions also bring a quirky touch that enriches the series' dynamic.
The series is set in Paris during the Belle Époque and revisits places and figures that are central to the collective imagination. What role does the city play in the narrative's progression? F.G.: Paris is not just a backdrop: it's a key player in the series. Its iconic monuments open up endless possibilities for the plot. Over the course of twenty-six episodes, Montclair and his companions dive into the depths of the Seine, battle mummies in the Louvre, channel the gargoyles of Notre Dame, foil the plans of the Phantom of the Opera, and save the Eiffel Tower from disappearing. Each monument becomes the setting for a spectacular adventure, always with a touch of fantasy. For broadcasters, this guarantees an instantly recognizable and attractive visual universe.
You opted for 2D animation to bring this magical universe to life. Could you tell us more about this artistic choice? P.R.: We chose 2D in order to remain faithful to the world of the Sacré Cœur books, while developing a new artistic direction inspired both by the fantasy and charm of the original illustrations and by the iconic Paris of the Belle Époque painters. This choice is also in line with the expertise of Ankama Animations, a major player and pillar of 2D animation in France
The series will be broadcast on France Télévisions in France and has already pre-sold to TV5MONDE. What are the next steps for international distribution? F.G.: The series is still in production. We presented the first images at MIPCOM and the response was very positive. With delivery scheduled for spring 2026, the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris will be the ideal opportunity to continue the discussions we've started and shine a spotlight on the first episodes. And what better setting than the City of Light to present a story that takes place there?
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Hari, winner of the 22nd Unifrance TV Export Award — Animation, for ‘Mystery Lane’ — Season 1
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Unifrance: Could you please introduce your company?  Sophie 'Kido' Prigent Sophie 'Kido' Prigent: A multi-award-winning company, Hari is a story house creating IPs for kids and families. As one of the leading players in animation, the company develops, produces, and distributes original content across TV and digital platforms. Hari develops premium content with a distinct visual style and feature-quality CGI, creating strong brands with universal stories that naturally resonate across TV, film, and consumer products.
Focused on quality over quantity, Hari cultivates premium IPs with a unique editorial line centered on family comedy. Hari’s series — Grizzy and the Lemmings, Mystery Lane, and the latest one, The Weasy Family — are international hits, reaching audiences in over 200 territories worldwide.
What’s the pitch of your programme in a few words? Sophie 'Kido' Prigent: If I only had one minute, I would say this series is an instant classic — a premium animated show with feature-TV ambition, mixing investigation, adventure and comedy in a way that has never been done before. Its high-quality narrative naturally engages young audiences, trusting their curiosity while delivering genuine thrills and humor.
And if I have a little more time, my pitch goes like this: "Strange things are happening in London. And there’s only one animal capable of tackling mysteries of this scale: a hamster named Clever — a detective with a prodigious sense of observation and razor-sharp deductive skills. When things don’t go quite according to plan, she can always rely on her hot-headed little brother Bro, who’s never afraid to take on foes far bigger than himself. The dangers they face are as extraordinary as their cases, often bordering on the supernatural. Will they manage to crack the mysteries that continue to baffle Scotland Yard?"
In which key territories did you sell it? Sophie 'Kido' Prigent: Beyond France, the show has gained strong visibility in Germany on Disney Channel, and once Season 2 is delivered, Super RTL will come on board for both seasons. In China, the series has been airing on Youku since 2024. In Italy, it is performing very well on Rai.
More than individual territories, what truly stands out to us is the collective momentum behind the show. In today’s challenging environment for original creations, every supporting market matters and helps shape the story of a series. From the Nordics — often early adopters when it comes to new shows — to Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and Southeast Asia, this broad international backing has become one of Mystery Lane’s real strengths.
According to you, what convinced the buyers to vote for Mystery Lane — S1? Sophie 'Kido' Prigent: First, I would point to the overall quality of the series, which stands out on every level — from storytelling and animation quality to atmosphere and visual execution. Some TV partners even thought Mystery Lane was a feature film when they first discovered the teaser!
Secondly, one of the series’ most distinctive strengths is that it never underestimates children’s intelligence. It inspires a spirit of adventure and scientific curiosity, while fostering their imagination.
Finally, Mystery Lane reached audiences across Europe, the US, and China, proving that its stories resonate with children around the world. And it delivered outstanding ratings across all territories — the ultimate proof of its appeal!
What’s next for Mystery Lane, after winning this award ? Sophie 'Kido' Prigent: After breaking all records for an original series on France Télévisions, we immediately followed up Season 1 with a Christmas special, White Investigation (1 x 44’), which aired on Christmas Eve 2024 in France. The special is now scheduled to roll out internationally this coming Christmas, and we’re very much looking forward to the feedback from our broadcast partners — we already know that children are eagerly waiting for new Mystery Lane adventures.
Season 2 (26 x 22’) is now in production, with strong support from Season 1 broadcast partners. This new season will bring fresh mysteries, ingenious new villains, and higher stakes that will challenge Clever and Bro like never before!
Excitingly, Season 2 will start to link Clever and Bro to characters and storylines from other Hari IPs, gradually unveiling a shared universe that brings all Hari original creations together.
Watch the Mystery Lane trailer ⬇️ 
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France tv distribution, winner of the 22nd Unifrance TV Export Award — Fiction, for ‘Astrid et Raphaëlle’ — Season 5
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Unifrance : Could you please introduce your company?  Julia Schulte Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard Catherine Bernard : France tv distribution is the sales subsidiary of the state owned French audiovisual group. France tv distribution partners with producers and rights holders to maximize the revenue of their programs across all media platforms, including video and VOD publishing, music, magazines and books, ancilliary rights, as well as the distribution and financing of audiovisual programs. The sales (distribution department) is headed by Julia Schulte and handles over 8000 hours of programing for sales all over the world.
What’s the pitch of your programme in a few words? Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : Bright Minds is a French light crime series following an unlikely duo: Astrid, a brilliant autistic archivist with an exceptional memory, and Raphaëlle, an intuitive and impulsive police commander. Together, they solve complex murder cases by combining pure logic with street-smart instincts. Beyond the investigations, the series explores friendship, difference, and mutual growth with warmth and humor.
In which key territories did you sell it? Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : The TV series has been sold over 100 territories, across the largest European territories, but as well as in Latin America, in Canada and in Japan, where the series has become a true phenomenon!
According to you, what convinced the buyers to vote for Bright Minds — S5 ? Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : The series travels well internationally because it combines a classic, universally appealing light crime tone with a fresh and distinctive duo. The contrast between logic and intuition, order and chaos, is instantly understandable across cultures. Its themes of inclusion and friendship resonate globally, while the episodic case structure makes the series easy to program across both traditional broadcasters and platforms.
What’s next for Bright Minds, after winning this award (new season, adaptation) ? Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : Production is continuing, with additional seasons. At the same time, we are continuing our remake strategy, notably with the English remake which is now in its second season, and multiple options in European countries. Discover the trailer of Bright Minds ⬇️ 
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Terranoa, winner of the 22nd Unifrance TV Export Award — Documentary, for ‘Notre-Dame: Resurrection’
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Unifrance: Could you please introduce your company? Emmanuelle Jouanole: Terranoa stands for over 25 years of expertise in the factual genre scouting films with strong narrative content and international appeal. With a seasoned sales team and a catalogue of around 2000 hours we cover a wide range of thematics from History, Science, Wildlife and Travel. We help producers navigate the international market across all media with dedicated presales and sales strategies from early development stage.
What’s the pitch of your programme in a few words? Isabelle Graziadey: 5 years at the heart of the largest restoration project of the century, Notre-Dame de Paris, to celebrate the resilience and the exceptional craftmanship and artistry of a dedicated team who worked against the clock for this rebirth.
A prime-time 90' and 52' film encapsulating the 5-year endeavor and challenges in securing, consolidating and restoring Notre-Dame inside- out. It encompasses the entire history of restoration until the very final days before the re-opening to the public on 4th Dec. 2024, giving viewers access to exclusive unseen footage.
This event film was broadcasted on France 2 main channel the night before the reopening with a global reach of over 5 million viewers in France and stellar market shares internationally.
In which key territories did you sell it?
Emmanuelle Jouanole: The film has been aired in more than two hundred territories covering all of Europe, also spanning over Asia and Canada. Event screenings took place across the US in Washington, NYC and Los Angeles
According to you, what convinced the buyers to vote for Notre Dame Resurrection?
Isabelle Graziadey: Notre Dame is an iconic monument in Paris, embodying French heritage and History. It is an architectural treasure of the past which bears historical significance and spiritual value for many. Its destruction moved the entire world, and donors came from all over the world to help save it and restore it.
The film perfectly retraces the sense of urgency and expertise which made its rebirth possible in record time. The collective endeavor, the passion and dedication of all crafts involved is so tangible and the sheer beauty of the artistry coming back to life before our very eyes makes it very compelling to watch.
What’s next for Terranoa? Emmanuelle Jouanole and Isabelle Graziadey: These are challenging times, and Terranoa remains committed to promoting documentaries internationally. We are therefore tirelessly seeking out the best projects, while also promoting the visibility of our catalog as a whole, particularly through non-linear media, which offers additional exposure to programs that no longer have a place on the traditional market. Watch the trailer of Notre Dame Resurrection ⬇️
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MyFrenchShorts #37: "GiGi"
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For this 37th MyFrenchShort, Unifrance presents the animated film GiGi, by Cynthia Calvi, selected for the Demain en vues 2026 program, initiated by Unifrance. The film can be viewed for free worldwide (except in Spain and Andorra) on YouTube until July 8, 2026.
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From the tormented little mermaid to the fulfilled woman she is today, GiGi recounts her journey of transition with humor and sensitivity... GiGi is part of the Demain en vues label, created by Unifrance and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Special thanks to production company Xbo Films. To see the film (with English, French, or Italian subtitles),
click on the image below 
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French short films tour the world: December 2025
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🏆Awards for French short films 🏆 ➡️ At the Kortfilmfestival Leuven in Belgium, three French works received honors - The Jury Prize for Best European Film went to God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles
- The Audience Award for Best Flemish Fiction Film was attributed to Loynes by Dorian Jespers
- The EFA qualification was awarded to 3x Mina by Nans Laborde-Jourdàa
➡️ Bogoshorts in Colombia, the largest event dedicated to short films in South America, awarded prizes to three French works - The Best Animation Award of the International Competition went to Life With an Idiot by Theodore Ushev
- The Best Short Fiction Award was attributed to Agapito by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero
- The Best VR Work was given to The Exploding Girl VR by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel.
➡️ Several awards at Dakar Court in Senegal - Alazar by Beza Hailu Lemma triumphed with two awards, the Grand Jury Prize and Best Direction.
- We Had Fun by Linda Lô won the Grand Prix Annette Mbaye Derneville.
- Best Screenplay went to The Boy With White Skin by Simon Panay
- Sarah Fromager, Sylviane Eneleda, and Cherley Raveau jointly received Best Actress for their performances in Adan nanm ek kò by Ella Moun.
 Alazar
✈️ The following people received travel funding ✈️ - Grégoire Graesslin accompanied his film Dammen, presented at Bogoshorts. He had this to say about the festival: "The heart of the festival is located close to the tourist center and between the university campus and the Cinemathèque, so everything is within walking distance. It's ideal for meeting people and having impromptu conversations. The Cinemathèque offers excellent screening conditions (I think that after the Debussy theater in Cannes, these were the two best screenings of my film in terms of image and sound quality) . It's very impressive. The screenings are often sold out. The introductions and Q&As are well conducted (in English, with Spanish translation) and the audience is very expressive and talkative. I had some very interesting exchanges."
This year, in partnership with the Ambassade de France in Colombia and the festival, Unifrance made a special arrangement to send a delegation of French short film producers specializing in or interested in animation to attend the 9th BFM, the rapidly growing co-production market dedicated to animation developed by Bogoshorts. The five companies comprising the delegation were: - Les Astronautes
- Autour de Minuit
- La Luna Productions
- Pentacle Productions
- Piano Sano Films
🔹 All the selections 🔹 Although there were only four festivals followed by Unifrance at the end of the year, many French short films were selected at these events. 🇧🇪  The Kortfilmfestival Leuven presented 19 French short films across its different sections. European Competition: - Their Eyes by Nicolas Gourault
- To the Embers by Morgane Ambre
- God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles
- Pirateland by Stavros Petropoulos
- Because of (U) by Tohé Commaret
- The Spectacle by Bálint Kenyeres
- Red by Zoé Arene
- 3x Mina by Nans Laborde-Jourdàa
Flemish Competition Animation Nations - Autokar by Sylwia Szkiłądź
- Long Distance by Iulia Voitova
Short Films for Younger Audiences - The Empty Panel by Thibault Chollet
- Acrobats by Éloïse Alluyn, Hugo Danet, Anna Despinoy, Antonin Guerci, Alexandre Marzin, and Shali Reddy
- Amen by Orphée Coutier, Bettina Demarty, Kimié Maingonnat, Laurène Perego, and Avril Zundel
- Sparrows by Rémi Durin
- Selfish by Justine Aubert, Cassandra Bouton, Grégoire Callies, Maud Chesneau, Anna Danton, Gatien Peyrude, Justine Raux, and Loïc Girault
- Nutissimo by Nicolas Bianco-Levrin
- Once Upon a Time in Dragonville by Marika Herz
Special Program - Du côté de la Côte by Agnès Varda
 God is Shy
🇨🇴  In Colombia, Bogoshorts also presented 19 French short films and three immersive works in the new section dedicated to this genre. International Competition - With Tapes and Toasts in the Car by Kiana Naghshineh
- Acrobats by Éloïse Alluyn, Hugo Danet, Anna Despinoy, Antonin Guerci, Alexandre Marzin, and Shali Reddy
- Amelia Starlight by Laura Thomassaint
- Carcassonne-Acapulco by Marjorie Caup and Olivier Héraud
- In Transit by Vadim Kostrov
- Life With an Idiot by Theodore Ushev
- Loynes by Dorian Jespers
- S the Wolf by Sameh Alaa
- Shadows by Rand Beiruty
- The Spectacle by Bálint Kenyeres
- A South Facing Window by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
National Competition Collections Competition - Astronauta by Giorgio Giampà
- Night Shows by Anand Sapin
Fan Freak Fantastic Competition - Weird to Be Human by Jan Grabowski
- Birth of a Fire by Archibald Martin
- Dammen by Grégoire Graesslin
- Red by Zoé Arene
- God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles
Immersive Works - VR Competition - Another Place by Domenico Singha Pedroli
- The Exploding Girl VR by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel
- Human Violins by Ioana Mischie
 Agapito 🇸🇳  Dakar Court presented 16 French works. Official Competition - Adan nanm ek kò by Ella Moun
- Alazar by Beza Hailu Lemma
- We Had Fun by Linda Lô
- Milk Brothers by Kenza Tazi
- The Boy With White Skin by Simon Panay
Film Schools Competition - Misouk by Jawahine Zentar
Unifrance Program - The Mysterious Adventures of Claude Conseil by Marie-Lola Terver and Paul Jousselin
- Gioia by Nixon Singa
- Lou by Tara Maurel
- Carcassonne-Acapulco by Marjorie Caup and Olivier Héraud
- Yuck! by Loïc Espuche
Special Screenings - Sira by Mariame N'Diaye
- Les Tissus blancs by Moly Kane
- Pacífico Oscuro by Camila Beltrán
- Lees Waxul by Yoro Mbaye
- And Still we Will Walk On by Jonathan Millet
 We Had Fun
🇸🇮  Animateka in Slovenia, dedicated to animation films, presented 12 French films. Main Competition - Luna Rossa by Priit Pärn and Olga Pärn
- Winter in March by Natalia Mirzoyan
Young European Talents Competition - Littles Saints by Clémence Taveau
- Waiting to Be Picked Up by Yujia Wang
- Pebble to Pebble by Charlotte Annereau
- Between the Gaps by Martin Bonnin
- Lieux saints by Jean-Marie Teno
- Zootrope by Léna Martinez
The Elephant Competition - J'ai trouvé une boîte by Éric Montchaud
- Once Upon a Time in Dragonville by Marika Herz
- The Legend of the Hummingbird by Morgan Devos
- Birds of Paradise by Tomek Ducki
 Littles Saints
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French Immersion XR revamped and XR news at Unifrance
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With €45,000 in funding, this program now covers all international events, including those in the United States, taking over from the Villa Albertine program by offering creators and their producers travel grants when an immersive French work has been selected at leading professional events. How it works: the French Immersion XR Fund allocates travel grants by reimbursing travel and accommodation expenses related to the selection of French works (with at least one French producer, even if a minority-French company) at any international festival or market. These reimbursements are capped at €300 for travel within Europe and €1,000 for travel outside Europe. ==> Join Unifrance Unifrance is an organization that promotes and supports the export of films, audiovisual, and immersive works. Professionals and creators of immersive works can join Unifrance's Short Films and Immersive Works section, which allows them to benefit from all of the organization's support services. Membership fees are due for the calendar year. Membersship advantages: - Take advantage of Unifrance's support for immersive works: travel grants for artists and producers to attend international festivals and markets.
- Participate in our activities at major festivals and markets dedicated to immersive works: Venice, Clermont-Ferrand, Cannes, etc...
- Access our professional directory and all the features of our website that will give you greater visibility.
- Participate in certain organization meetings (general meeting, working groups) and stand for election to our “short films and immersive works” committee, the steering committee, or the executive committee when the bodies are renewed.
The Membership tab is accessible at the top of our homepage. ==> Study on the export of French immersive works in 2025 In 2026, Unifrance will repeat its statistical survey on the export of French immersive works. This study will provide an overview of sales in 2025. As a reminder, export figures are essential for highlighting your expert work in promoting French creativity internationally. As a producer or distributor of immersive works, your involvement in providing complete and reliable data is essential to the completion of this study. All data collected as part of this study will remain strictly confidential. Only aggregated and global statistical data will be published. The results of this study will be communicated to you upon completion, scheduled for September 2025. ==> French XR in Benelux @ IFFR 2026 Initiated by the Institut Français in the Netherlands, in partnership with the Ambassade de France in Belgium, Institut Français in Luxembourg, and Unifrance, the French XR in Benelux program will take place during the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) between January 30 and February 1, 2026.
Open to nine professional members of PXN seeking to promote one or more XR projects in search of distribution, as well as to identify distribution opportunities in the Benelux region, the delegation will accompany nine companies: - AnimaViva Productions (Sylvie Carlier)
- Atlas V (Oriane Hurard)
- DA PROD (Jeremy Sahel)
- Dark Euphoria (William Board)
- Novaya (Emanuela Righi)
- Sacrebleu Productions (Claire Maillard)
- Swing Digital (Stéphanie Dphyras)
- Tamanoir Immersive Studio (Remi Large)
- Unframed Collection (Claudia Montes)
- Vision R (Jérôme Waeselynck)
In conjunction with the upcoming launch of a map of XR distribution venues and producers in the Benelux countries, in partnership with the media outlet XRMust, two professional delegations will be organized in the Netherlands. The mission to the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) will take place from January 30 to February 1, 2026, and will allow the nine selected producers to discover the festival's Art Directions program, promote one or more XR works to distribution venues in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and identify opportunities for distribution in the Benelux countries.
Your contact at Unifrance - Laurence Reymond: laurence.reymond@unifrance.org
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International box office results
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International press roundup
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International press roundup: December 2025
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What's the international press saying about French film and audiovisual works? Here's a broad overview of the articles we've collected for the month of December 2025.
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On the audiovisual front SeñalNews announced the signing of a strategic partnership between Millimages and the Dutch medai company StoryZoo & Friends.
➡️ Read the article online
Variety informed us that Xilam Animation and UGC will adapt Bernard Werber's thriller Empire of the Ants for the screen.
➡️ Read the article online
ToonBox is the name of the new streaming platform for children launched by Xilam Animation, it was announced in Animation Magazine.
➡️ Read the article online
And Produ.com reported on the agreement signed between Federation International and Fløw to reinforce its presence in Latin America.
➡️ Read the article online
On the festivals and awards front In Argentina, Escribiendo Cine announced the recipient of Louis Delluc Prize 2025, The Little Sister by Hafsia Herzi.
➡️ Read the article online 
VideoAge International announced the winners of the Unifrance TV Export Awards.
➡️ Read the article online
 And in foreign movie theaters… In Norway, Rushprint published a long interview with Noémie Merlant for the release of her film The Balconettes in the country.
➡️ Read the article online in the United States, Ion Cinéma said of The Voice of Hind Rajab: "The grueling portrait of genocide."
➡️ Read the article online  "French cinema once again causes a sensation with Smoking Causes Coughing," we could read in EIT Media in Mexico.
➡️ Read the article online
And we conclude this roundup in Italy, where Cinematografo published a glowing article about Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, which released in theaters on January 1.
➡️ Read the article online 
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