France has played an vital role in evolution of film, from its early days with the likes of the Lumière brothers and Georges Méliès and via the Nouvelle Vague period and beyond. However, after studying the history of this art form, whether your taking our Master’s in Film in Paris or are simply a film fan, it is then worthwhile to discover what French filmmakers are doing today. In fact, over the last decade, the industry has been regenerated thanks to a wave of new filmmakers, representing the diversity of the country and examining the real France of the 21st century. Here are some noteworthy up and coming French directors to watch.
Ladj Ly. Photo: Léa Desjours / LaCourneuve.fr
Ladj Ly
Born to Malian parents and raised in the Parisian suburbs, this director’s work generally revolves around social issues and the conditions of the marginalised residents of the Parisian suburbs. He first got involved in film by making documentaries and collaborated on various projects with Romain Gavras (the son of Costa-Gavras), street artist JR and hip hop artist Oxmo Puccino. He made international headways in 2019 with his first feature film, Les Misérables, a modern-day take on Victor Hugo classic novel of the same name. It won a Jury Prize at Cannes, the Best Film at the Césars (the French Film Awards) and was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Academy Awards.
Céline Sciamma. Photo: George Biard / CC
Céline Sciamma
A graduated of the prestigious La Fémis, the French National Film School, this screenwriter and director’s films often explores gender fluidity and sexual identity. She is also a founding member of the French branch of the Colléctif 50/50, a movement advocating for gender equality and diversity in the film industry. Her debut film, Naissance des Pieuvres (Water Lilies, 2007), made at the age of 28, was selected for Cannes’s Un certain regard section and was nominated for three César Awards. Written in only a few months and shot in less than three weeks, her 2011 film Tomboy was an official selection at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival. Her work continued to garner more and more international recognition, with her 2014 film Bande de Filles (Girlhood) screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section of Cannes and at Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Her next feature film, Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire), won the Queer Palm and Best Screenplay at Cannes in 2019. Her latest film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2021 and is likely to receive its own share of accolades.
Houda Benyamina. Photo: Georges Biard / CC
Houda Benyamina
Also from the Parisian suburbs, this director and screenwriter of Moroccan origins began a career as an actress before shifting to behind the camera. She started off by making a series of short films, social satires on life in the suburbs, which were screened on major French TV channels. Her first feature film, Divines (2016), which she also co-wrote, was a powerful look at life in the suburbs and the prospects for its youth. It was selected for Quinzaine des réalisateurs at Cannes, for which she won a Caméra d’Or. It was also awarded the César for Best Film and was screened at TIFF. She is also involved in social activism and is the founder of 1000 Visages, an association which aims to make the film industry more accessible for suburban youth.
Xavier Legrand. Photo: Vandamna / CC
Xavier Legrand
Another actor-turned-director, after a successful start on stage and in front of the camera, in 2013 Xavier Legrand made his first short film, Avant que de tout perdre (Just Before Losing Everything). It received a number of accolades including the 2014 César for a Short Film and a nomination in the same category at the Academy Awards. His first feature film, Jusqu’à la garde (Custody), released in 2017, was equally praised. It received two prizes at the Venice film festival, the Lion of the Future for Best Debut film and the Silver Lion for Best Director as well as five Césars including Best Film.
Alice Diop. Photo: Chris93 / CC
Alice Diop
Another creative from the Parisian suburbs, this writer and director of Senegalese parents is establishing herself on France’s documentary scene. Diop’s youth spent in the infamous 3000 housing project led her to make her first film, La Tour du monde (The Tower of the World), in 2005. After producing several other documentaries and a short film, her 2015 documentary Vers la tendresse (Towards Tenderness) won the César for Best Short Film. Her latest film, Nous (Us) won the Best Film in the Encounters section of the Berlin International Film Festival 2021, but is yet to have a commercial release. She is also active in the Colléctif 50/50.
Justine Triet. Photo: George Biard / CC
Justine Triet
After originally studying fine art, Justine Triet shifted to filmmaking and screenwriting. Well-crafted screenplays, her films revolve around modern relationships. The spotlight was cast on Triet in 2013 with the release of her first feature film, La Bataille de Solférino (Age of Panic). It was screened at Cannes in the Sélection ACID (Association of the distribution of independent film) and she was featured in the influential Cahiers du cinéma magazine as an up-and-coming talent to watch. Her second, Victoria (In Bed With Victoria), was the opening film in the Semaine de la critiques section at Cannes in 2016 and was nominated for five Césars. Her third film, Sibyl, was selected for the official competition at Cannes in 2019. She too is a member of the collectif 50/50.