New York, May 12, 2020 – After consulting with NYC Parks and the FACE Foundation, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy have made the decision to cancel the 2020 edition of Films on the Green, the free outdoor French film festival produced annually in New York City parks since 2008. In an effort to keep the festival’s fans and communities entertained while at home, the Cultural Services will promote the previous editions of Films on the Green from May to the end of July and share curated film recommendations online based on each year’s theme. Films on the Green will return to the city’s parks with renewed force in 2021, supported by partners committed to making high-quality French and francophone cinema accessible to all New Yorkers.
Each week, the Cultural Services will release film recommendations from a previous festival for fans of Films on the Green across the U.S. to explore at home. Fans can also go behind the scenes as the festival shares exclusive anecdotes, personal memories, photos and videos from previous festival screenings. The festival’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and Frenchculture.org will revisit a different year’s theme each week, from “Women Behind the Camera” to “Paris, the City of Lights.” Francophiles and cinephiles alike can revisit classics and discover new favorites such as Cleo from 5 to 7, La Haine, and Persepolis on their favorite streaming platforms.
The decision to cancel the 2020 edition of Films of the Green was difficult, but one that the Cultural Services feels is in the best interest of the safety of staff, attendees, and festival supporters. The festival had planned a dynamic program for 2020, and the 2021 edition will feature the theme “Music & Cinema.” The Cultural Services’ commitment to sharing the best of French cinema remains as strong as ever, and Films on the Green will return in 2021 with renewed strength and relevance.
The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks would like to thank the official sponsors who have committed to continuing support for the 2021 return of Films on the Green: BNP Paribas, JCDecaux, and TV5 Monde. The festival would also like to thank the friends and partners who will continue to make Films on the Green possible, Maman, agnès b., Columbia Maison Française, Summer on the Hudson, Washington Square Park Conservancy, North Brooklyn Park Alliance, P.S. 110 The Monitor School, WNYU, WHCS, Mexican Cultural Institute, Cinema Tropical, diptyque, Nora Coblence and Frederic Weiss. Their commitment to Films on the Green will ensure that a vibrant festival will bring neighborhood communities together again next year in the city’s beautiful parks.
Films on the Green Recommendations
Each week the Films on the Green team will present curated recommendations of films to watch at home inspired by one of the festival’s past editions.
MAY
May 18-24: 2019 Festival “Women Behind the Camera”
May 25-31: 2017 Festival “10th Anniversary”
JUNE
June 1-7: 2009 Festival “Environment”
June 8-14: 2013 Festival “Love Stories”
June 15-21: 2015 Festival “La Méditerranée”
June 22-28: 2012 Festival “Literary Adaptations”
JULY
June 29-July 5: 2014 Festival “Masculin/Masculin”
July 6-12: 2010 Festival “Musicals”
July 13-19 (Bastille Week): 2016 Festival “Paris, the City of Lights”
July 20-26: 2011 Festival “French Summer Vacations”
July 27-August 2: 2018 Festival “Gastronomy”
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About
The Cultural Services of the French Embassy promotes the best of French arts, literature, cinema, digital innovation, language, and higher education across the U.S. Based in New York City, Washington D.C., and eight other cities across the country, the Cultural Services brings artists, authors, intellectuals, and innovators to cities nationwide. www.frenchculture.org
FACE Foundation is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting French-American relations through innovative cultural and educational projects. In partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, FACE Foundation promotes artistic, literary and educational exchange and collaboration between creative professionals from both countries. www.face-foundation.org
NYC Parks is the steward of approximately 29,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. www.nycgovparks.org