After becoming one of the biggest breakouts from the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, “Club Kid” has had another reason to celebrate on the French coast. At the Deauville American Film Festival, Jordan Firstman’s buzzy directorial debut — being released by A24 later this year — won the top Grand Prix Award over the weekend, together with the City of Deauville Audience Award. Other winners from the event, hosted each year in the seaside town in Normandy, went to Water Thompson-Hernandez’ “If I Go Will They Miss” and animated feature “Tangles” (another Cannes breakout), which both won jury prizes.
Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson’s “Mouse,” meanwhile, won the festival’s Revelation Prize. Elsewhere, across 10 days in Deauville, the festival welcomed a typically impressive array of major stars. Brendan Fraser stopped by for a screening of his latest feature “Control” and to receive the Deauville Talent Award, an honor also given to Ethan Hawke (returning to Deauville 35 years after attending with “White Fang”).
Faye Dunaway and Susan Sarandon (on her way back the Venice Film Festival) splashed down to claim Icon Awards, while fresh faces Sophie Thatcher (“Heretic”) and Patrick Schwarzenegger (“The White Lotus”) were given Rising Star honors. But there was even a healthy contingent of names stopping by Deauville even if there weren’t receiving awards. French icon Catherine Deneuve made a special appearance, as did Casey Affleck with his latest feature “Company” and Ira Sachs with “The Man I Love.” Other guests included Simon Pegg and Sofia Boutella for the film “Only What We Carry,” British musician and France resident Pete Doherty, plus Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicole Peltz Beckham.
Alongside the films and stars, Deauville also celebrated the second year of its industry section. Across two days aimed at strengthening the ties between the U.S. and French film industries, delegates heard from numerous filmmakers as they pitched their projects and expertise. Among the panels, French casting directors Mathilde Snodgrass and Raphaelle Danglard, plus French star Mathilde Ollivier (“Overlord”) discussed how local actors can break out in the U.S., while Joanna Verner and Cleline Leclercq of France’s CNC cultural agency outlined local financing schemes and how international productions can take advantage of the tax rebate system.
Variety also hosted a talk, discussing with producer David Atrakchi of FullDawa Films the making of Netflix’s hit festive rom-com “Champagne Problems,” which shot entirely in France and predominantly in the Champagne region.
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