France has made significant changes to its Oscar entry selection committee in recent years in an effort to enhance its chances of winning the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards. This article focuses on the reconfiguration of the committee for this year and highlights the notable industry professionals who will be joining as members.
The selection committee for France’s Oscar entry includes a distinguished group of individuals who bring a wealth of awards season experience. Patrick Wachsberger, former Lionsgate film co-chief, is amongst the members, along with international sales veterans Sabine Chemaly and Tanja Meissner. Additionally, producer Charles Gillibert, directors Mounia Meddour and Olivier Assayas, and composer Alexandre Desplat have been appointed to the committee.
Enhancing France’s Chances
The reconfiguration of the committee is part of France’s ongoing efforts to improve its standing in the Best International Film category. The country has not won in this category since 1993, when Régis Wargnier’s “Indochine” took home the prestigious award. Last year, “Les Misérables,” directed by Ladj Ly, made it to the final nomination stage, demonstrating the potential for French films to succeed on the international stage.
Awards Season Experience
The newly appointed committee members bring significant awards season experience to the table. Patrick Wachsberger, for instance, shared the Coda Best Film Oscar win in 2022 and is well-versed in the intricacies of the selection process. Charles Gillibert has also participated in the awards season with films like “Mustang” and “Annette.” Alexandre Desplat, a highly acclaimed composer, has received 11 Oscar nominations for his original scores and has won twice. Sabine Chemaly, the former head of film sales at Newen Connect (ex-TF1 Studio), handled the sales for France’s 2019 Oscars entry, “Memoir Of War.”
The Selection Process
The committee members are nominated by French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak, based on suggestions made by Dominique Boutonnat, President of the National Cinema Centre (CNC). The CNC oversees the selection process, ensuring that it is fair and transparent. Dominique Boutonnat and Gilles Pélisson, the newly-appointed President of Unifrance, will sit in on the discussions as observers, providing additional insights and expertise.
The Selection Timeline
The selection process involves several stages. A pre-selection meeting will take place on September 13, during which three to five films will be chosen for further consideration. The producers and sales agents of these films will then be invited to audition before the selection committee on September 21. The committee’s final choice will be announced following these auditions. In cases where the pre-selected films already have a U.S. distributor, they will be able to participate in the discussions virtually via video link. The deadline for Oscar submissions is October 2, giving the selected film ample time to prepare for the 96th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 10, 2024.
The reconfigured selection committee for France’s Oscar entry is a strong indication of the country’s commitment to improving its chances of success in the Best International Film category. With experienced industry professionals at its helm, the committee aims to select a film that not only represents the best of French cinema but also stands a strong chance of bringing home the prestigious Academy Award.
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