The French Film Festival UK was delighted to welcome a variety of distinguished guests to the 31st instalment. Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar kicked off events in November, at London’s Ciné Lumière with Divertimento, whilst Justine Triet also delivered a brilliant introduction and Q&A at Ciné-Lumière in the same month for her critically acclaimed feature Anatomy of a Fall. This venue also welcomed Agnès Jaoui for a virtual Q+A for The Course of Life. Our Scottish partner venues welcomed a brilliant pair of guests for the Festival’s 31st edition; Pierre-Henri Gibert attended the Institut Français d’Écosse for a wonderful Q+A and introduction of his stunning documentary Viva Varda!, and director Christian Carion attended screenings of his poignant feature Driving Madeleine at the Dominion (Edinburgh) and Cineworld Union Square (Aberdeen).

Read a little more about our guest below – Quelle bonne compagnie!

Justine Triet

Director (Anatomy of A Fall)

Palme d’Or winner and French filmmaker who rose to fame for her 2013 debut feature film, Age of Panic. She followed up in 2016 with the romantic comedy-drama film In Bed with Victoria. 2023 saw the release of her critically acclaimed thriller, Anatomy of a Fall. 

    Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar

    Director (Divertimento)

    Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar began her career as a journalist in Los Angeles. In 2015, Mention-Schaar founded a new production company , WILLOW FILMS, where she produces and co-produces feature films. Divertimento is her seventh feature film.

      Pierre-Henri Gibert

      Director (Viva Varda!)

      Pierre-Henri Gibert, French film aficionado who has made several documentaries, including one about Jacques Audiard,  is the first director to take on the biography of maverick filmmaker Agnès Varda, apart from Varda herself.

        Agnès Jaoui

        Actor (The Course of Life)

        Agnès Jaoui was born on 19 October 1964 in Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, France. She is an actress and writer,

        who plays Noémie Capdenac in Frédéric Sojcher’s The Course of Life.

          Christian Carion

          Director (Driving Madeleine)

          Carrion’s first feature The Girl from Paris (2001)became a hit among movie-goers and the festival circuit alike. His following projects featured at Cannes, the Oscars, the Césars and the Golden Globes. Driving Madeleine premiered at the 2022 Angoulême Francophone Film Festival.