CPF Magazine Spring 2020 Issue

CPF RESOURCE
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU FILM FRANCOPHONE
BY MARCELLE LEAN AND BERNARD LECERF
Cinéfranco is a charitable organization that promotes French
language learning and discovery through film and the use
of media and art. Its goal is to create awareness of the
common heritage rooted in the French language and the cultures
of francophone communities in minority settings.
Cinéfranco produces three annual film festivals, including
one dedicated to youth, and offers Toronto and its surrounding
area an outstanding selection of French films from Canada and
around the world. With thousands of participants every year,
Cinéfranco has become a major Francophone institution in the
Toronto audiovisual landscape.
The Youth Festival Program is exclusively dedicated to students
and their teachers. It includes a dozen films and gives students
the opportunity to experience French outside the classroom, in an
entertaining yet educational framework.
The Youth Program offers young viewers a wonderful
opportunity to get acquainted with the francophone cinema
and cultures. The Cinéfranco Youth Program attracts over
7,000 students every year.
The 2020 edition of the Toronto Youth Festival took place
from February 18 to March 4 at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
and included 11 films for students in grades 3 – 12. Cinéfranco
has the descriptive files available for download with age
recommendations as well as Teachers Kits, helpful to encourage
interest and curiosity from students.
The next Cinéfranco Youth Festival is planned for
November 2-13 at the Canada Square Cinema in Toronto, Ontario.
The Festival Grand Public Main Program is the most
important international francophone film festival in English
Canada. The movies reflect the richness and diversity of
filmmakers from Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Algeria,
Morocco. Tunisia, Senegal and other countries. The goal of
this program is to showcase recent films rarely seen or not
distributed in Toronto cinemas. Cinéfranco provides popular
yet quality programming, from hilarious comedies to social
dramas, through moving documentaries or captivating thrillers.
The viewers vote for their favorite film which is awarded
“The Audience Prize” at the end of the festival. This year’s
Cinéfranco Main Program will be presented at the Hot Docs
Ted Rogers Cinema on November 20-28.
Perspective Québec is a celebration of Quebec film and
Franco-Canadian productions presented in partnership with
Tournée Québec Cinéma. It is enriched with the presence of actors
and film makers. Usually held in April, this year’s Perspective
Québec has been postponed to a date to be announced. n
10 CPF MAGAZINE SPRING 2020