Architecture & Art, Food & Drink, France (Outside of Paris), Paris, Travel

The American French Film Festival in Los Angeles: Where France Meets Hollywood

October 26, 2025

At the end of October each year, the heart of Los Angeles transforms into a little corner of France for one extraordinary week of cinema. The American French Film Festival, held at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) on Sunset Boulevard, celebrates the best of French film and television — from new features and documentaries to short films, series, and animation. It’s a gathering of filmmakers, actors, educators, and film lovers united by a shared passion for French storytelling.

Stick around to the end of this post for French restaurant recommendations and hotel recommendations to complete your stay during the festival.

Please note that by clicking some links, at no cost to you, I may make a small commission to continue bringing great content to my readers.

From COLCOA to The American French Film Festival

For more than two decades, the festival was known as COLCOA — City of Lights, City of Angels. Founded in 1996 by the Franco-American Cultural Fund (a partnership between the DGA, the Motion Picture Association, France’s SACEM, and WGA West), COLCOA became one of the largest French film festivals in the world outside France.

Formerly known as “COLCOA”, the Festival rebranded itself in 2022

In 2022, the festival was renamed The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) to better reflect its expanding scope and growing audience. The new name emphasizes its mission: to highlight the creative dialogue between French and American cinema. What hasn’t changed is its spirit — a weeklong celebration of French art, language, and ideas, right in the heart of Hollywood.

The Venue: The Directors Guild of America Building

The festival takes place at the Directors Guild of America Building on Sunset Boulevard, a fitting home for an event dedicated to storytelling through film. The DGA’s state-of-the-art theaters — known for their pristine sound and projection — provide an intimate yet cinematic setting for screenings. Inside, filmmakers and audiences mingle in the lobby between showings, discussing scripts, cinematography, and favorite performances over espresso and croissants. It’s a place where the glamour of Hollywood meets the elegance of French cinema.

Films and Highlights

Over the years, the festival has premiered hundreds of acclaimed French films before their U.S. release. Past editions have featured works by some of France’s most celebrated directors, including Cédric Klapisch, Mia Hansen-Løve, François Ozon, and Céline Sciamma. The festival also showcases new voices and rising stars, giving American audiences a first look at the future of French film.

A typical panel after the movie screening in French (with a translator) with actors, directors, composers.

The lineup often includes award-winning features from Cannes, short films from emerging directors, and TV series that define France’s vibrant screen culture. Audience members can attend Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and masterclasses — rare opportunities to hear directly from the filmmakers themselves.

The Educational Program: Inspiring a New Generation

One of the festival’s most meaningful components is its educational outreach program, which invites high school and college students from across Los Angeles to attend special screenings and discussions. Each year, thousands of students experience their first French film on the big screen — often subtitled, sometimes animated, but always thought-provoking.

My students pictured Bertrand Usclat, the star of the 2022 film, "Jumeaux Mais Pas Trop" (Twins but Not Too Much) at the AFFF in 2022 — My students pictured Bertrand Usclat, the star of the 2022 film, “Jumeaux Mais Pas Trop” (Twins but Not Too Much) at the AFFF in 2022

For French teachers, this event is a unique chance to connect classroom learning with real-world culture. The high school screening day is especially beloved: students fill the DGA theater for a film selected specifically for younger audiences, followed by a conversation about language, themes, and filmmaking. It’s a powerful way to bring French language and culture to life, and to show how stories can bridge continents.

Why It Matters

The American French Film Festival isn’t just about watching movies; it’s about fostering cross-cultural understanding. In an era of global streaming, TAFFF remains a rare in-person experience that honors the communal joy of cinema. It also reminds us that French film continues to influence Hollywood and inspire audiences worldwide.

Whether you’re a lifelong cinephile or a high school student discovering French language through film for the first time, the festival offers something unforgettable — a glimpse of the world through a distinctly French lens, set against the backdrop of Los Angeles sunshine.

Los Angeles, the City of Angels as a Backdrop

Not only is Los Angeles a fantastic venue for this event because of it’s obviously powerful and historical ties to the film industry, but Los Angeles is home to one of the largest francophone (and francophile) communities outside of France. For this reason, you can keep the theme going by visiting some amazing French restaurants or head to the museums, like the Getty, the Norton Simon or LACMA to gaze upon European masterpieces.

NortonSimon_VincentvanGogh_PortraitofaPeasant_gscinparis — “Portrait of a Peasant (Patience Escalier)”, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890), August 1888. On display at the Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, CA

GSC in PARIS’ Favorite French restaurants in Los Angeles

This list is by no means exhaustive and doesn’t even include some of the best bakeries or shops. These just happen to be my favorites after many years living in LA as an avid francophile:

1.) Taix Restaurant – LA’s oldest French restaurant, located in Echo Park. They serve all of the classics and eating French onion soup in the cozy bar with a Dodger game on is definitely a vibe!

2.) Pasjoli – Located in Santa Monica and VERY French.

3.) Monsieur Marcel – Located in the famous “Original Farmer’s Market” near the Grove, it is the love child of an American who married a Parisian. In addition to the charming bistro located amongst the stalls, they have a French/ European grocery store and a lovely home store with a fantastic assortment of French made or French inspired home goods.

4.) Petit Trois Le Valley – Fantastic for a cozy weekend brunch with friends, with all of the classic French pastries to accompany your French fare.

Honorable Mention:

Redbird – Not French exactly, but a downtown favorite with great decor and ambiance to match the menu. 114 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, 90012, USA

If You Go:

When: Late October (exact dates vary each year)
Where: Directors Guild of America Building, 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Tickets: Available at theamericanfrenchfilmfestival.org
Educational Screenings: Free for students and teachers (advance registration required)

Have you Attended the American French Film Festival? What did you see? Let me know in the comments!

Where to Stay in Los Angeles?

I love the PaliSociety brand of hotels – there are several lovely options in Los Angeles. The PaliHotel Westwood is adorably chic and very affordable.

Los Angeles is a huge and sprawling city – great options range from the gorgeous Langham Hotel in Pasadena to the East to the Standard in West Hollywood to Shutters in Santa Monica. It is so difficult to choose in which area to stay!

If you need help booking, I am happy to help! See my Fora Travel Advisor page for details on why you should book with me.

Interested in Learning French?

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