Cannes International Film Festival, 'Yeoseongsidae' Opens

Photo by Cannes International Film Festival Secretariat

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] The Cannes International Film Festival is entering a 'female era.'

The Cannes International Film Festival Secretariat announced on the 24th through a press release that Iris Knobloch (59), former CEO of France, has been elected as the new President of the French International Film Festival Association Board this year. The outgoing president, Pierre Lescure, will conclude his duties on June 30.

This is the first time in the 76-year history since its inception in 1946 that a woman has become the President of the Cannes International Film Festival Organizing Committee. Iris Knobloch will assume office on July 1, with a term of three years.

Knobloch, the new president, is a lawyer by training and worked for 25 years at the American film company Warner Bros. Among them, she served as CEO of Warner Bros. France for 15 years. Since 2020, she has been the CEO for regions including France, Germany, and Switzerland at WarnerMedia, responsible for strategy development and marketing. The black-and-white silent film "The Artist" (2011), which she participated in producing, won five awards including Best Picture and Best Director at the 84th Academy Awards in 2012.

Knobloch said, "Films that can be seen in theaters are still with us, and the Cannes Film Festival plays a major artistic role. I will discuss with stakeholders about the future ahead," adding, "I am grateful to President Pierre, who has excellently fulfilled his role at the festival for the past eight years."

Thierry Fr?maux, Executive Director, said, "I am pleased to work with Knobloch," and added, "We will strengthen our determination and unity to hold the festival."

This year, the 75th Cannes International Film Festival will be held from May 17 to 28 in the southern French city of Cannes.

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