French Filmmaking Pair Confirmed As Guests for 23rd Alliance Francaise French Film Festival

Two of France's most exciting, contemporary filmmakers Remi Bezancon and Mia Hansen-Love have been confirmed as guests of the 23rd Annual Alliance Francaise French Film Festival. Bezancon will be the guest-of-honour at the Festival's gala launches in both Sydney and Melbourne on 6 and 7 March and will attend a Sydney screening and Q & A for his latest film, A Happy Event, whilst Hansen-Love will visit Australia for the second week of the event to participate in a Q & A session following screenings of her new film, Goodbye, First Love in Sydney and Melbourne.

Writer/director Bezancon first came to the attention of Festival audiences with his funny, yet moving drama The First Day of the Rest of Your Life, the smash hit that looked at five decisive days in the lives of one family. His latest feature, the critically acclaimed A Happy Event, takes an intimate and poignant look at a young couple who find themselves unprepared for the lifestyle changes wrought by parenthood.

Mia Hansen-Love is also acknowledged as a filmmaker of great talent, who like Bezancon, writes and directs her films. Renowned for the insight and sensitivity she brings to her characters, her previous drama, Father of My Children, screened at the 2010 Festival to great acclaim and went on to enjoy a successful release in Australia. Her latest film, Goodbye, First Love, is a beguiling story of love, loss and the tender memories of youth, which follows the romantic journey of a young woman (Lola Creton) who finds herself caught between the powerful emotions of her first love and the more pragmatic nature of her present relationship.

Post-Festival, Goodbye, First Love will screen from April 5 through Palace Films whilst A Happy Event will enjoy a cinematic release through Umbrella Entertainment on 12 April.

Remi Bezancon
Sydney - 7.00pm Thursday March 8 at Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt.

Mia Hansen-Love
Sydney - 6.15pm Tuesday March 13 and 6.15pm Wednesday March 14 at Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt.
Melbourne - Thursday March 15 at Palace Cinema Como, South Yarra.