Entertainment · Film · 6 hrs ago
French Film Festival Brings 3,000 Los Angeles Students to ‘In Waves’
The American French Film Festival brought about 3,000 Los Angeles students to five screenings of “In Waves” this year.
The students came from more than 60 high schools and watched the animated film at the DGA theater.
Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, “In Waves” is a love story set in Southern California about a teenage boy and a girl who teaches him to surf before she dies of cancer.
The film is adapted from AJ Dungo’s graphic novel, and students could discuss it afterward with producer Priscilla Bertin and screenwriter Fanny Burdino.
The festival’s educational program has run for two decades, helping young audiences discover international cinema through screenings and study materials for teachers.
Its organizers say the program matters because young people often lack access to film screenings and filmmaker discussions, even in Los Angeles.
The American French Film Festival brought around 3,000 Los Angeles high school students to five screenings of the animated film “In Waves.”
The screenings took place at the DGA theater and were followed by a question-and-answer session with producer Priscilla Bertin and screenwriter Fanny Burdino.
The festival’s educational program involved more than 60 schools over five days, with roughly equal participation from public and private schools.
The program aims to introduce young audiences to international cinema and includes students from creative disciplines as well as French-language classes.
- Who
- Around 3,000 Los Angeles high school students attended. The festival program was led by deputy director Anouchka Van Riel.
- What
- The American French Film Festival held five screenings of “In Waves,” followed by a question-and-answer session.
- When
- This year, during the festival’s 30th-anniversary edition.
- Where
- The DGA theater in Los Angeles.
- Why
- The program aims to help younger audiences discover international cinema and meet filmmakers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The festival starts contacting schools about participation.
Around 1,500 seats are booked, according to Van Riel.
The festival program brings students from more than 60 schools to five screenings.
- Students
- Around 3,000
- Screenings
- Five screenings, with around 600 students each
- Schools
- More than 60
- Venue
- DGA theater, Los Angeles
- Film
- In Waves,” an animated feature by Phuong Mai Nguyen
- Program history
- The festival’s educational program has run for two decades
What people are saying
There’s enormous demand.
The majority of these kids have never attended a film screening followed by a Q&A.
That’s something we want to change.