.png)
Meet Filmmakers and Industry Guests For the 6th edition, we are honored by the presence of award winning actress, screenwriter and director Julie Delpy as patron of our festival. ​ We are delighted to welcome producer Marianne Magdalena, directors Erige Sehiri, Nathan Ambrosioni and Andre Nerman, and actress Caroline Amiguet among others.  ​​
.png)
We are honored to welcome Julie Delpy as Patron of the 6th edition of the San Diego French Film Festival.
​
Julie Delpy is a Paris-born actor, director, and screenwriter whose career spans several decades and continents. She has appeared in more than 30 films, and is widely recognized for her work as a filmmaker with a distinctive, personal voice.
Julie Delpy was discovered at 14 by Jean-Luc Godard. She earned a first César nomination for La Passion Béatrice (1987) and gained international recognition in Europa Europa (1990). She appeared in several European and Hollywood films, including Three Colours: White (1993), Killing Zoe (1994), and Before Sunrise (1995), the latter earning her lasting fame. She reprised her role as Céline in Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), co-writing both scripts and receiving Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Delpy has written, directed, and starred in acclaimed features such as 2 Days in Paris, The Countess, Le Skylab, 2 Days in New York, Lolo, and My Zoe, often blending sharp humor with intimate explorations of relationships, identity, and family.
She has been nominated for three César Awards, two Online Film Critics Society Awards, and two Academy Awards.
Les Barbares (Meet the Barbarians), presented on May 4 is her latest film.
Erige Sehiri is a French‑Tunisian filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter celebrated for her intimate, socially engaged storytelling that blends realism with poetic nuance. Her feature debut, Under the Fig Trees, premiered at Cannes and was Tunisia’s submission for the Academy Awards, drawing praise for its sensitive portrayal of everyday life and human connection. Her second film, Promised Sky (Promis le Ciel), presented at our Festival, premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes 2025, further establishing her as a distinct and compelling voice in contemporary cinema. In addition to her filmmaking, Sehiri is a co‑founder of the Rawiyat collective, which supports and amplifies women filmmakers across the Arab world, and she runs Henia Production, a company dedicated to creating films that explore social realities with empathy and depth.
Nathan Ambrosioni is a French filmmaker, writer, and director known for his emotionally rich, character-driven cinema that explores themes of family, love, and identity. He first gained international attention with Paper Flags (Les Drapeaux de papier) and Toni, en famille, films praised for their sensitivity and narrative depth. Ambrosioni began making films as a teenager and has quickly become recognized for his ability to blend intimate storytelling with universal emotional resonance, establishing a unique voice in contemporary French filmmaking.
We are delighted to present his latest feature, Out of Love (Les Enfants Vont Bien), which earned him the Best Director prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and confirmed his status as one of France’s most compelling young voices in cinema.
André Nerman is a French actor, director, and comedian whose career spans theater, film, television, and musical performance. Trained in Paris, he has brought classical roles such as Romeo, Rodrigue, and Oreste to life alongside actors from the Comédie Française. A versatile artist, he has toured internationally, directed contemporary poetic works by Duras, Prévert, and Cocteau, and created musical shows. His theater work continues to engage audiences, while he also appears regularly in French film and television. Welcome to Iceland marks his debut as film director.
Clay Epstein, President of Film Mode Entertainment, leads a renowned global sales and distribution company with a focus on supporting producers. With recent successes like "CRYPTO," "LITTLE PINK HOUSE," and "AS SICK AS THEY MADE US," Clay's expertise spans both executive producing and representing worldwide rights. Previously, as SVP Sales & Acquisitions at Arclight Films, he played a crucial role in acquiring notable titles like "DOG EAT DOG" and "PREDESTINATION." Clay's influence extends to his position as Chairman of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, alongside roles as an instructor at UCLA Extension and a respected lecturer at film festivals worldwide.
.jpg)