Le French Festival 2024, a one-and-a-half-month celebration of French culture, has been officially announced a return to Malaysia from 29 May to 14 July 2024. Co-organised by the Alliances Françaises de Malaisie and the Embassy of France in Malaysia, the festival promises an array of events and activities to bring together Malaysian and French cultures and people. The 22nd edition will span through Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching, with a renewed commitment to fostering deeper connections with the local community.
The festival offers an eclectic mix of entertainment catering to diverse interests, including cinema, digital art, photography, painting, music, dance, theatre, sport, or gastronomy. The festival features a curated selection of 16 movies, including The Three Musketeers: Milady, The Taste of Things, and The Animal Kingdom, as well as family-friendly options like Epic Tails and The Little Nicholas.
Here’s a glimpse of what to anticipate:
- Cinematic Delights: Explore a curated selection of 16 movies, featuring the latest releases from France. Highlights include The Three Musketeers: Milady, The Taste of Things and The Animal Kingdom alongside family-friendly options like Epic Tails and The Little Nicholas.
- The Digital Adventure: Dive into the world of cinema and digital art on 2 June with a day filled with short films screenings in collaboration with the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, virtual reality games, cinema workshops, and digital art exhibitions.
- French Celebrations: Join in the festivities with celebrations of Fête de la musique (International Music Day) on 23 June at Titiwangsa Park, featuring Malaysian and French artists. Then, mark your calendars for French National Day on 14 July, for a lively evening of food, drinks, and music.
- Ready, set, go! Get your dose of sport for this summer. There will be sporting events on 30 June in the morning with The Little Champions, a series of events inspired by the Olympic Games for children to compete in a fun environment. Experience later that day the electrifying energy of breaking, one of the 2024 new Olympics disciplines, during our Breaking Battles, featuring the French DJ T-Sia and renowned Malaysian breakdancers such as Lego Sam. Finally, lace up your running shoes for a Fun Run through Titiwangsa Park on 7 July, followed by a leisurely stroll through a flea market at AFKL.
- Arts for everyone, everywhere: as per our tradition, Le French Festival will be the opportunity to enjoy theatre plays, concerts, exhibitions, participate in workshops and even more throughout the weeks.
Golden Screen Cinemas will host movie screenings in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching. Join the Le French Festival 2024’s movie screenings at Golden Screen Cinemas in the following cities and dates:
- Kuala Lumpur : 29 May – 14 July
- Penang : 13 June – 23 June
- Johor Bahru : 27 June – 30 June
- Kuching : 4 July – 7 July
His Excellency Mr Axel Cruau, Ambassador of France to Malaysia talked about the three main axes of the 2024 edition of the French Festival during the press conference, “First of all, sport, of course, as the Olympic and Paralympic games will take place in Paris in just a few weeks. But also, family, with specially curated movies and activities for the little ones and their parents. And inclusivity, as we want to share our culture as much as possible with our friends all over Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching.”
Mr Laurent Elisio Bordier, Executive Director of Alliance Française of Kuala Lumpur and Co-Director of the 2024 French Festival shared AFKL’s commitment to engaging more Malaysians into the upcoming edition of the festival, “We have decided to get even closer to Malaysian audiences. In order to do so, we this year worked closely with the Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sport department of DBKL to venture into people favourite locations such as Titiwangsa Park and the KL Car Free Morning route, places that are very popular with all audiences, young and old, outdoors and accessible to people with reduced mobility. Timetables have also been adapted to allow families to attend or even take part in a number of events all together!”
Ms Mathilde Tallin, Cultural Manager of Alliance Française of Kuala Lumpur and Artistic Director of the 2024 French Festival talked about the program of this year’s festival, “The French Festival offers a lively fusion of cinema, visual arts, performing arts, participative experiences, children’s activities, and culinary delights. Delve into our handpicked selection of 16 films, embark on The Digital Adventure, celebrate Fête de la Musique and French National Day, witness Breaking Battles, join The Little Champions and the Fun Run, peruse the Flea Market, and so much more. Within our walls and our partners’ venues, we warmly welcome you to indulge in a myriad of activities!”
Ms Pauline Goh, President of Alliance Française de Penang, said: “This year, our festivities in Penang promise to be more vibrant and participatory than ever. We’re thrilled to present a free concert by the French group Marsu for Fête de la Musique, exhibitions celebrating the power of sports, a pétanque tournament, VR experiences and photography and theatre masterclasses. Film screenings and Penang’s unique French Heritage Trail will also return, ensuring a rich cultural experience for all!”