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Animated feature “In Waves,” directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, opens the American French Film Festival Nov. 3 as the fest celebrates its 30th anniversary. “In Waves” made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this
year, where it was the first animated feature to kick off Critics’ Week. Adapted from AJ Dungo’s graphic novel, the feature is a love story between a shy teenage boy and the girl who teaches him how to surf and how to live, before she succumbs to cancer. The English-language voice cast includes Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu. The opening night screening is presented in association with Netflix.
The festival runs Nov. 3-8 at the DGA complex in West Hollywood.
“AJ Dungo, a Californian surfer and self-taught artist, spent years drawing his own graphic novel as a way of processing the loss of his girlfriend. That intimate, autobiographical work found its second life across the Atlantic, where French-Vietnamese director Phuong Mai Nguyen and Silex Films optioned it, assembled a French production and spent years translating Dungo’s linework into a fully animated feature. Netflix has now brought the finished film back to American audiences as the U.S. distributor, closing a circle that began on a California beach and passed through French animation studios before returning home. It is precisely this kind of journey — an American story reimagined through French artistry and craft, then returned to its origins — that sits at the heart of what TAFFF exists to celebrate,” says Cécile Rap-Veber, president of the Franco-American Cultural Fund (originator of TAFFF) and CEO of French org SACEM.
The film has an organic tie to the festival. In 2024, TAFFF and the Writers Guild of America West presented the workshop “Bringing Graphic Worlds to Life,” in which Dungo and “In Waves” producer Priscilla Bertin explored the journey from page to screen.
“I’m thrilled that ‘In Waves’ will open the American French Film Festival’s 30th anniversary edition — a first for an animated feature film,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. “As the ultimate stateside destination for French films and series, it’s an honor to have TAFFF’s support and I look forward to audiences around the world discovering this special film.”
The festival’s lineup will be announced Oct. 6. But the festival also recognizes the artistry of the small screen. The 12 TV series competing for the TAFFF Audience Award and Jury Award have been announced, and they are:
“Alice: Pioneer of Cinema,” directed by Virginie Verrier and Guillaume Lonergan and written by Tim Loane, Claire LeMaréchal and André Gulluni. The series stars Bérénice Bejo and explores the life of artist and entrepreneur Alice Guy.
“All Shapes of Us,” created by Fanny Riedberger and directed by Jean-Baptiste Pouilloux and Elsa Bennett. Starring Catherine Frot, Claudia Tagbo, Ornella Fleury, Gérémy Crédeville and Marc Riso, the series follows the story of six teenagers as they navigate a new school year at the Hive, which specializes in eating disorders.
“Laura’s Treatment,” created and written by Marie Kremer and Frédéric Krivine, and directed by Alim Iske). Series centers on Laura, a small-town pharmacist and mother who runs a support group for abuse victims. When authorities and the judicial system fail to protect the women and a group member is murdered, Laura takes matters into her own hands. Stars Valérie Bonneton.
“Minimum Security,” created by John Wax and Gauthier Plancquaert. A comedy starring Audrey Lamy as the director of a French prison who mothers her blundering team of guards and inmates.
“One Day We Will Make Love,” written and directed by Jérôme Bonnell. Natacha Krief and Édouard Sulpice star as two very different people with nothing in common except that they’ve both experienced a rough day, followed by a night together that was as joyful as it was boozy. But over the course of a weekend, love can blossom.
“Paolo,” created by Sébastien Marnier. Jérôme Niel stars as Paolo, whose daily life is turned upside down when he reunites with Téophane (Yoann Gasiorowski), a former schoolmate who is now running for mayor of his city, and who, it seems, has everything going for him. What begins as simple admiration and a desire to support the campaign turns into a consuming obsession.
“Prophet (A),” created by Abdel Raouf Dafri and Nicolas Peufaillit and based on Jacques Audiard’s feature “A Prophet.” Mamadou Sidibé stars as Malik, a young African immigrant, who must try to survive after being incarcerated for drug smuggling.
“R 91,” created by Henri Debeurme and Mathilde Arnaud, and directed by Julien Despaux. The series, which stars Élodie Yung, Alban Lenoir, Patrick Mille and Jacques Gamblin, is set aboard the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during a strategic and highly volatile mission in the eastern Mediterranean. When a female crew member is found dead on board, and another goes missing shortly afterward, an investigator is rushed onto the ship to uncover what happened.
“Rebounds: A History of Electro Dance,” written and directed by Loïc Phil and Marianne Getti. Doc series centers around Miel, dancer and choreographer Brandon Masele, as he explores the global evolution and history of electro dance and the Tecktonik phenomenon.
“Singapura,” created and written by Elsa Marpeau; directed by Danielle Arbid. The crime thriller stars Nailia Harzoune as Justine, who arrives in Singapore, determined to reinvent herself and give her family a fresh start. In the tightly-knit world of French expatriates, she is captivated by Élisa (India Hair), an eccentric and tormented free spirit. But when a murder shakes their privileged circle, the buried secrets, lies, and betrayals begin to surface.
“Someone Should Ban Sunday Afternoons,” created by Isabel Coixet. Starring Liv Henneguier, Clara Bretheau, Théo Christine, Balibar and Tim Robbins, the drama follows Louise, who has always dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, as she moves to Paris to be mentored by a legendary American writer-director. But reality quickly sets in and she discovers that Paris is tougher than she imagined.
“Swapped,” written and created by Alexandra Echkenazi and Vincent Robert, and directed by Vania Leturcq and Savina Dellicour. Rose, played by Lula Cotton-Frapier, is a young woman who leaves her rural home in 19th-century Paris to work as a wet nurse for a wealthy, bourgeois family, only to find herself stepping into a dangerous and dark environment.
The Television Series Competition is presented in association with Wild Bunch, Federation Studios, France TV Distribution, Disney+, Film & Picture, HBO Max, StudioCanal, SND Group M6 and Zorba Prods.
