Sacramento French Film Festival

Every summer the Sacramento French Film Festival (SFFF) takes its audience on a trip to France without leaving Sacramento. Since 2002, the SFFF has brought the best of contemporary and classic French cinema to Sacramento and reaches thousands of people each Summer. Every year the SFFF receive exceptional reviews from the community and has won several awards for the quality of its programs.

In October 2010, Cecile Downs, Executive & Artistic Director of the SFFF, was recognized by the arts & business community with the prestigious Arts Executive of the year award from the Sacramento Arts & Business Council. The Sacramento Bee wrote that the SFFF is "the marquee event of the year for local film lovers;" for the SN&R it is "one of the best things Sacramento has going."

Our enthusiastic audience describes us as: "Best cultural event in Sacramento!" – "It brings the community together." – "It broadens our view of the world." – "It’s almost as enjoyable as being in France!" – "Wish we had a similar event in Oakland or SF."

The SFFF is a unique cultural event that brings people together around films and French culture in a festive atmosphere. It celebrates the artistic, cultural, social, and historical values of film. It fosters friendly relations between American and French people through the universal language of cinema.

Every June, the SFFF premieres a wide array of new films, rediscovers rarely seen classics, presents French short films in exclusivity, and Sacramento shorts with a "French flavor." A sold-out catered reception opens the SFFF every year on a Friday night, followed by the opening film. Films continue all day long, Saturday and Sunday, for two consecutive weekends and include Saturday midnight movies for mature audiences, followed by popular Midnight Breakfasts.

The Festival ends on a Sunday night with a fun Champagne Party following the closing film. All films are presented in French with English subtitles. Each film is shown either once or twice and passes for the event can be purchased. A popular drawing for free prizes offered by local businesses precedes each screening; discussions with special guests and film experts follow some of them. In 2003 an Audience Award was created as a way to encourage participation of the attendees.

The SFFF also organizes events throughout the year like an annual Winter Short Film Screening and other special screenings. The Sacramento French Film Festival is organized by the Sacramento French Cultural Society a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization created in 2010.