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On Wednesday 14 January, during the 28th Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, Unifrance announced the Unifrance Distribution Award—presented for the second consecutive year with the support of th CNC—as well as the Unifrance Broadcaster Award, presented for the first time.

The Unifrance Distribution Award, which aims to highlight the work of distributors of French films abroad by acknowledging a particularly ambitious and innovative promotional campaign, was awarded to the American company Janus Films, represented by Benjamin Crossley-Marra, Marketing Manager, for the US release campaign for Misericordia, by Alain Guiraudie, sold internationally by Les Films du Losange.

Benjamin Crossley-Marra said: "Receiving this award is a very special honor for us at Janus Films. Since our founding, we've been devoted to France's greatest cinematic legacies, and Misericordia is the latest in a line stretching back decades. We were all smitten with Alain Guiraudie’s seductive, surprising, and wickedly funny film, and we’re honored to receive the Unifrance distribution prize for its release. We always hope that our enthusiasm for the films shows in the work and are very grateful for the recognition."

The award was decided by members of the selective distribution aid committee, composed of sales agents, distributors, and a digital strategy specialist, and was presented by Alice Lesort, Head of International Sales at the Films du Losange, who stated: "Misericordia is definitely a bold choice for a wide American release. Very few distributors would have had enough confidence to undertake such an ambitious campaign. We know the US market is challenging, and yet Janus Films brought this crazy French dark comedy — with its mushroom picking and its naked priest — to a large American audience. For that, we thank you sincerely."

The committee also praised the Japanese release campaign for "The Marching Band" by Emmanuel Courcol, handled by Shôchiku. The film is sold internationally by Playtime.

Unifrance Broadcaster Award
Saskia Krijnen, from RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse, received the Unifrance Broadcaster Award. This award recognizes the foreign broadcaster that has made the greatest contribution to promoting French audiovisual content internationally. This contribution may take the form of an investment strategy, editorial content or specific programming, as well as the resources deployed to promote French programs abroad.

On this occasion, Krijnen said: "RTS is honored to receive the first Unifrance Broadcaster Award. This distinction underscores our commitment to promoting works that bring audiences together, celebrate cultural diversity, and nurture the perspectives of younger generations. French productions, through their quality, creativity, and powerful storytelling, play an essential role in this mission. We are delighted to be able to share them with audiences in French-speaking Switzerland."

The jury, composed of Stéphanie Bro, President of Agence Inédite, Christine Camdessus, Managing Director of Fipadoc, Francesco Capurro, Director of Series Mania Forum, François Pier Pélinard-Lambert, Editor-in-Chief of Film Français, and Joseph Le Fer, journalist at Ecran Total, selected the winner based on nominations submitted by French distributors to Unifrance. Stéphanie Bro presented the award.

For its part, the jury emphasized its commitment: "We have chosen to award the first Unifrance Broadcaster of the Year Award to Saskia Krijnen in recognition of the ongoing commitment of a loyal and exemplary partner. Through its investments, editorial support, and creative and proactive initiatives, RTS demonstrates a strong desire to support and promote French creativity in all its diversity. This is a fundamental commitment to talent and content that we wanted to honor."