How to attend the French Film Festival in Richmond, VA

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Several festival screenings take place at The Byrd Theatre.

Photo by RICtoday

The French Film Festival starts today at The Byrd Theatre and will continue through Sunday.

Oui have all the details on how to attend + what’s playing on the big screen.

🇫🇷 History

The festival began in 1993 as a partnership between Drs. Peter and Françoise Kirkpatrick, who were professors at VCU and UR, respectively. Now in its 28th year, the fest is still put on by the two schools.

🇫🇷 What’s playing

The first showing will be of “Claude Pinoteau, For the Love of Cinema,” (Claude Pinoteau, par amour du cinéma) today at 4 p.m. The documentary examines the life of Pinoteau, who is regarded as one of the greatest French filmmakers.

Here are some other films you Cannes see:

  • Tralala | Fri., March 25 | 8:15 p.m. | This musical follows a Parisian singer played by leading actor Mathieu Almaric.
  • Spread Your Wings (Donne-moi des ailes) | Sat., March 26 | 11 a.m. | A family-friendly story of a young boy connecting with his father’s work to protect endangered geese.
  • Something Inside is Broken | Sat., March 26 | 8 p.m. | The director + several actors and singers will participate in a discussion following the screening of this nonfictional drama about the Nisenan Tribe of Northern California.

🇫🇷 Health + safety

Be ready to wear a mask and bring your proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to screenings. There will be limited seating due to social distancing, so get your tickets while you can.

🇫🇷 Tickets

Attendees can purchase single admission tickets or passes. A VIP pass gets you admission to all films + question and answer sessions at the festival. The regular VIP pass is $115. Purchase a pass here.

Tickets to individual screenings are $15 each. Head to the Byrd a half hour before the show to purchase a walk-up ticket.

Click here to see the full schedule for this year’s festival.

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