American French Film Festival Returns for 30th Anniversary with In Waves Premiere
The supplied announcement states that the American French Film Festival in conjunction with the Franco-American Cultural Fund returns for its 30th anniversary celebration and awards competition. The milestone event kicks off with the Los Angeles premiere of In Waves, characterized as a luminous, deeply felt love story between a shy teenage boy and the girl who teaches him to surf and to live life to the fullest.
The announcement summarizes the story of In Waves. AJ, voiced by Will Sharpe, is a reserved high school student in Los Angeles who spends his days drawing and skateboarding with friends. He meets Kristen, voiced by Stephanie Hsu, an energetic surfer who finds joy and freedom in the ocean. Curiosity evolves into deep love when Kristen teaches AJ to surf and shares its historical connection to Hawaiian culture. As their relationship grows closer, AJ is inspired to preserve their connection by drawing their story. This animated true story set against the sun-soaked surf culture of Southern California explores the joy of finding your soulmate, the courage it takes to live life to the fullest, and the enduring power of love to shape who we become and what we leave behind. The release from the festival organizers highlights these narrative elements as central to the story’s appeal and emotional resonance.
The supplied announcement lists the following talent expected to attend the event on the blue carpet: actor Will Sharpe from Flowers and The White Lotus Season 2, actor Stephanie Hsu from Everything Everywhere All at Once, along with graphic novel author and illustrator AJ Dungo, director Phuong Mai Nguyen, producer Priscilla Bertin, and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. The announcement indicates their involvement in walking the blue carpet for arrivals and taking part in discussions after the film screening as part of the milestone festivities.
The announcement provides the schedule and venue details for the opening night. It will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Directors Guild of America Theater Complex at 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Activities include press check-in at 4:30pm, the blue carpet opening at 4:45pm, and talent arrivals at 5:15pm. The media alert emphasizes these timings for media and participants to plan their attendance accordingly.
The purpose of the event, per the announcement, is to allow the In Waves cast and filmmakers to walk the blue carpet during arrivals and to engage in a question and answer session following the opening night screening. The announcement invites media and attendees to join the cast and filmmakers for these activities as part of the festival’s celebratory kickoff.
