It’s a tall order to sustain an L.A.-based film festival that focuses solely on French-language content, but The American French Film Festival has risen to the challenge for nearly three decades. The six-day event, which kicks off its 29th edition today with Rebecca Zlotowski’s A Private Life starring Jodie Foster, has made a concerted effort in recent years to position itself as both a key platform for launching French-language Oscar contenders while also remaining a prime destination for U.S. and international industry execs to come together to watch French films and series.

“It’s kind of a miracle that we’ve maintained a position in the market,” admits TAFFF Deputy Director Anouchka van Riel. “All foreign films in the U.S. are a niche market, especially when you think of theatr

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