THE FESTIVAL & ELMA

A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM in partnership with ELMA (European Languages and Movies in America)

“The most important film program offered to Los Angeles schools by a festival.” LAUSD

The Festival and ELMA proudly support a new generation of foreign films viewers by offering two educational programs: HIGH SCHOOL SCREENINGS and MASTER CLASS PROGRAM.

More than 150 high schools in Southern California have attended the festival to date. In 2025, we welcomed our 42,000th student. 3,000 in-person seats are offered each year over 5 days to students and teachers who want to attend the high school screenings.

The Master Class program is dedicated to students from colleges, film schools, and universities with the participation of French filmmakers attending the festival. Every year, two to three master classes are scheduled on campuses during the festival.

ELMA joined forces with the film festival to create the High School screenings program because we believe exposure to foreign cinema at an early age develops a much-needed appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism. Movies that are not just entertaining but also make you think, discover new ideas, people, cultures and places. The success exceeded our expectations as the program continues to grow with about 3,000 students attending each year.

Pascal Ladreyt, Founder, ELMA (European Languages and Movies in America)

5 DAYS OF HIGH SCHOOL SCREENINGS

For the 18th year,  High School screenings will take place at the Directors Guild of America for five days at 10:00 am, during the 29th Edition of the Festival.

The featured film will be  presented in French with English subtitles. This Premiere screening will be appropriate for American audiences, ages 15 and older.

A pedagogical document about the film, produced by AATF will soon be available to teachers participating in the program.

BUILDING NEW AUDIENCES

Since 2022, TAFFF and ELMA have partnered to host panels on the future of cinema. French filmmakers and talent join American journalists, students, and distributors—alongside European film professionals—to explore where moviegoing is headed.

2024 PANEL: CINEMA AND YOUTH: SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FILMGOERS.
A panel dedicated to fostering a love for cinema as short digital video formats are ubiquitous. ELMA will discuss with the filmmakers of the Count of Monte Cristo and Wild Diamond, how to curate festival experiences for younger audiences and how to introduce them to international films and diverse storytelling to broaden perspectives for young viewers, emphasizing the importance of exposing young people to diverse cultures and languages through cinema.

Moderator: Peter Debruge (Chief Critic, Variety)
Panelists:
Agathe Riedinger (Writer/Director of  Wild Diamond)
Malou Khebizi (Actress, Wild Diamond)
Pascal Ladreyt (Founder and President of ELMA)
Alexandre de la Patellière (Writer/Director – The Count of Monte Cristo)
Patrick Mille (Actor – The Count of Monte Cristo)
Matthieu Delaporte (Writer/Director of The Count of Monte Cristo)
Tate Heinse (TAFFF American Student Jury Member)

2022 PANEL: FOREIGN FILMS & YOUNG AUDIENCES: A DIFFERENT LENS
A cultural context can prevent young audiences from taking advantage of their growing access to foreign programs. Films originally made for all audiences can be seen as inappropriate for teenagers in the U.S. This panel will discuss cases and educational programs such as the one offered by the festival and ELMA to high school students.

Moderator: Alessandro Ago – Director of Programming and Special Projects at the USC School of Cinematic Arts
Panelists:
Alexandru Belc – Writer and Director of METRONOM
Maïmouna Doucouré – Writer and Director of HAWA
Wilfried Meance – Writer and Director of TWO OF A KIND
Pascal Ladreyt – Founder and President of ELMA
Bonnie Voland – Head of Worldwide Marketing & Publicity at AGC Studios