THE Le French Film Festival (LFFF), which is set to kick off in Penang end of this month, will be partnering with the George Town Festival 2022 (GTF 2022) for movie screening and exhibitions.
The LFFF is a yearly event brought by Alliances Française in Kuala Lumpur and Penang together with the Embassy of France in Malaysia.
Alliances Française Penang vice-president Luca Griseri said the event would be more special this year as it marks the 60th year of the organisation’s existence in Penang as well as the 20th anniversary of the LFFF.
“We are happy and excited to bring back the LFFF after two years of gap due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year, the festival is truly more significant to us as it commemorates the 60th anniversary of Alliances Française in Penang and the 20th year of the LFFF.
“So, we have prepared a wide range of programmes for the festival.
“There will be a total of 21 films from different genres for screening, musical performances, heritage walks and gastronomy related events,” he said during a press conference today.
Griseri said the LFFF has also collaborated with streaming platform Mubi.
“Apart from that, this year, the ‘Le Petit Festival’ has been included in the LFFF in which there will be free movie screenings for children,” he added.
All the 21 movies will be shown at Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) Gurney Plaza starting from June 30 to July 10.
The GTF 2022 festival- goers will also get the chance to watch the movie ‘Dilili à Paris’ at Cheah Kongsi on July 10 at 8pm.
There will be two exhibitions, namely the ‘Le Corbusier Maquettes’ featuring models of French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier’s iconic buildings and ‘The Great Story of the Infinite Drawing’ showcasing the artwork by French illustrator Elly Oldman.
The ‘Le Corbusier Maquettes’ will take place from July 14 to 24 at UAB Building from 10am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, ‘The Great Story of the Infinite Drawing’ will be held at Gurney Plaza (Ground Floor, Extension Wing Atrium) from 10am to 10pm.
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State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin hoped that the locals would be inspired by the French films, arts and architectures.
Yeoh also said the LFFF would be a good platform for the locals to get to know the French culture.
“LFFF is one of the most vibrant symbols of the solid relationship between France and Malaysia that was built since 1957.
“I believe we can learn something from the French’s innovative film making.
“After all, the French invented motion pictures and have continued to redefine cinematography over the hundred years.
“The collaboration between the LFFF and GTF would help to cultivate an active, creative ecosystem as well as allow festival-goers to discover and appreciate different culture.
“I hope to see such collaborations in future,” he added.
Also present was TLM Event managing director Jack Wong
For more info on LFFF and GTF, please visit https://www.lefrenchfestival.com.my/ and https://georgetownfestival.com/2022/
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian