American French Film Festival concludes with “The Count of Monte Cristo”

American French Film Festival—the largest French film festival in North America—recently concluded with the US premier of a lavish and visually stunning screen version of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo. The beloved adventure novel was written by the French author Alexandre Dumas (père), and published in serialized form between 1844 to 1846. It is one of the author’s most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. 

The American French Film Festival is the place to be for anyone who loves French cinema, culture, and the vibrant conversation that happens when the two worlds collide!

The American French Film Festival, established in 1997 and previously known as COLCOA, is a film festival held in Los Angeles that primarily showcases new French films and television series to the US market. Considered one of the top film festivals in the city, it is organized by the Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF), a partnership between the Directors Guild of America, Motion Picture Association, the Writers Guild of America West, and France’s SACEM (Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music). 

With its focus on the film industry, a significant portion of the festival’s audience consists of industry professionals such as distributors, sales companies, and filmmakers, making it a key platform to showcase French content before awards season.  The festival also includes educational programs such as high school screenings and masterclasses to introduce younger audiences to French cinema. 

Air Tahiti Nui has been a proud sponsor of the American French Film Festival for over 20 years, helping to bridge the gap between the French-speaking world and the United States through the magic of cinema. From the very beginning, this partnership has been all about celebrating cultural exchange, especially between France and the U.S., and what better way to do that than through film?

This long-standing collaboration really highlights Air Tahiti Nui‘s dedication to supporting the arts and fostering global connections. As the flagship carrier of French Polynesia, Air Tahiti Nui isn’t just about getting you to your destination — they’re passionate about promoting French culture, especially in Los Angeles, where they operate direct, nonstop flights from LAX to Paris (CDG). Air Tahiti Nui even hosted an amazing giveaway: two round-trip tickets from LAX to Paris, plus four nights in the City of Light. Talk about a dream vacation! Incidentally, Air Tahiti Nui also flies from Seattle (SEA) to Paris and from both Los Angeles and Seattle to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT), making it one of the most immersive and exciting travel experiences out there.

Now, speaking of the festival itself – it’s truly a special event! The American French Film Festival, which has been running since 1996, is one of the premier celebrations of French cinema in Los Angeles. It’s an incredible platform where French filmmakers can showcase their work to American audiences, with everything from feature films and documentaries to shorts and TV series. The festival brings together film lovers, industry professionals, and international talent for a unique cultural exchange through cinema.

This year’s lineup was as impressive as ever, with films ranging from new releases to award-winning gems, all paired with engaging discussions, panels, and Q&As with filmmakers, actors, and industry insiders. The final night’s screening of The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte and starring the brilliant Pierre Niney, was a highlight — not only because it marked its North American debut but also because the sumptuous film is already making waves as one of the most commercially successful films in French cinema history.

The Count of Monte Cristo made its world premiere in the Out of the Competition section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, and it was released theatrically in France on 28 June 2024 by Pathé. With a budget estimated in €42.9 million, The Count of Monte Cristo is the most expensive French film of 2024.