For the Ambassador of the French Republic on the island, Raphaël Trannoy, this is a selection that highlights the diversity of filmmaking in the European nation.

"We want to offer Cuban audiences a very rich, very dense program, with 18 feature films, including three animated films, and a tribute to the French actor Jean Gabin (…). And we will have three restored films: two by Henri Verneuil, 'A Monkey in Winter' and 'The Blue Coast,' plus the third, 'Remorques,' a film by Jean Grémillon."

Furthermore, the French diplomat explained that this Festival opens an important cultural season that will bring different representatives of French cinema to Cuba.

"We will have the exceptional presence of two renowned guests: filmmaker Christophe Barratier, founder of the Festival, who will present his most recent film 'As if by Magic,' and also Mehdi Idir, who will share his film 'Monsieur Aznavour' with the Cuban public, which is an emotional tribute to one of the most important and famous voices in French song."

For several decades, the French Film Festival has become a significant event in the cultural calendar of the island and, in particular, of Havana.

For Tony Masón, programmer of the Cinemateca of Cuba, this is due to the quality and variety of the films that have been featured in this Festival in its previous editions, while confirming that this one will be no exception.

"The premiere films, the twelve premieres, accumulated 40 nominations and 12 César Awards. But here comes what I most want to highlight: eleven of the nominations were for the actors. That is, one can easily deduce that there is great diversity, enormous talent, and a range of performances to enjoy and not miss a single one."

During the press conference, held at the Héctor García Mesa room of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), the vice president of that organization, Gladys González Martínez, also reported on different projects that reinforce the cultural ties between Cuba and France:

"We are planning for next year matters related to the series and film of 'The Enlightenment Century' by Alejo Carpentier. That is, we have great plans for the restoration and recovery of these common projects we share with French cinema."

"And, of course, honoring this fraternal relationship, the film 'Mijaín' will be presented in Paris on October 21st, which is also a joint effort with the Cuban embassy in France and is part of our celebrations of national culture there, in that country."

From October 15th to the 26th, the Cuban capital will host the 26th edition of the French Film Festival, a unique opportunity to experience a sample of the best of Gallic cinema.