Franco-American Cultural Fund announces TAFFF 2026 awards
Members of the Franco-American Cultural Fund and TAFFF’s Program Committee announced the 2026 award winners on November 9 following the festival’s 30th anniversary edition at the DGA Theater Complex. The event drew actors, directors, writers, producers, film critics, francophiles and other guests. Awards were presented across Cinema, Television and Shorts categories during the closing ceremony on November 8.
Sixty-one films and series were showcased, with 59 eligible for awards. Voting was conducted by attending audiences, Los Angeles Film Critics Association members, an entertainment professionals jury and a student jury drawn from high school and college participants in the TAFFF High School Screenings Program.
DE GAULLE received the Audience Award and top honor for best film. Written by Antonin Baudry and Bérénice Vila and directed by Antonin Baudry and Niels Schneider, the film stars Benoît Magimel and Anamaria Vartolomei with Samuel Goldwyn Films as US distributor. LA GRADIVA earned the Critics Award for best film. Written by Marine Atlan and Anne Brouillet and directed by Marine Atlan, it stars Colas Quignard, Antonia Buresi, Mitia Capellier-Audat and Suzanne Gerin with 1-2 Special as US distributor. The award was presented in association with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
A PLACE FOR HER won the First Feature Award. Written by Mélisa Godet and Catherine Paillé and directed by Mélisa Godet, the film stars Laetitia Dosch, Eye Haïdara, Oulaya Amamra, Pierre Deladonchamps, Juliette Armanet and Karin Viard with Pathe Films handling international sales. WHISPERS IN THE WOODS received the Documentary Film Award. Written and directed by wildlife photographer Vincent Munier, the film has international sales through Le Bureau Films.
THE GREEN EYES claimed the American Students Award. Written and directed by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh, it stars Douae Butarbuch M'Zaouki, Sayyid El Alami, Anamaria Vartolomei, Arcadi Radeff and Omar Al Jbaai with Kinology managing international sales.
ALICE: PIONEER OF CINEMA took the Audience Series Award. Written by Tim Loane, Claire LeMaréchal and André Gulluni and directed by Virginie Verrier and Guillaume Lonergan, the series stars Bérénice Bejo, Thibaut Evrard and Oscar Lesage with SND Groupe M6 responsible for international sales. SWAPPED earned the Jury Series Award. Written by Alexandra Echkenazi and Vincent Robert and directed by Vania Leturcq and Savina Dellicour, it stars Lula Cotton-Frapier, Barbara Probst and Jonathan Zaccaï with France TV Distribution handling international sales.
DIEGO received the Audience Short Film Award. Written and directed by Melissa Silveira, the short stars Sofian Bises, Malou Khebizi, David Ayala and Darya Sheizaf with Manifest managing international sales. GOD IS SHY won the Jury Short Film Award. Written and directed by Jocelyn Charles, it features voice talent from Danièle Evenou, Alba Gaïa Bellugi and Anthony Bajon and also lists Manifest for international sales.
The 30th anniversary edition drew over 18,000 attendees with numerous sold-out screenings including Opening and Closing Night events. Audience Awards were presented in association with Air Tahiti Nui, MK2 and Viking.
The American French Film Festival is presented and produced by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, a collaboration among the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, France’s Society of Authors, Composers, and Publishers of Music and the Writers Guild of America West, in association with CNC – Centre du Cinema et de l’Image Animee. Support also comes from Unifrance, Villa Albertine – the French Institute for Culture and Education, Air Tahiti Nui, Champagne Louis Roederer, TV5 Monde and Variety as Official Sponsors; Netflix as Opening Night Sponsor; Barnstormer, Ex Nihilo, France Télévisions and LAist 89.3 as Premier Sponsors; Rogershood, Sunset Marquis, Viking and West Coast Event Productions as Major Sponsors; Alliance Française de Los Angeles, Angela Caglia, Deadline, Glenfiddich, Laura Chenel, Le Film Français, Marin French, Matilda Wines, Monsieur Marcel, MPC/The Mill, Odacité, Out Of The Woods, Petrossian, Screen, TitraFilm, Vineyard Brands, Wine Wine Situation as Platinum Sponsors; Airstar, Brigitte Tanaka, Cinando, Filt1860, Hotel Paradiso, International School Los Angeles, Laboratoires du Cap Ferret, La Vieille Ferme, Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, Marché du Film/ Festival de Cannes, Maison et Domaines Les Alexandrins and Sofitel as Supporting Sponsors; and Le Bon Garçon, Palikao, Sweet Lily French bakery Cafe, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz and Tiratwist as Community Sponsors.
