Cinéfranco, a festival of Francophone cinema, is celebrating its 11th year in Toronto, with films showing from March 28 to April 6, 2008 at the Royal, a charming écran at 608 College St.

Discover hidden gems of international cinema with 46 films from more than 10 countries, including Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco and Chad. Guest filmmakers from Switzerland, Morocco and Quebec will attend.

France, however, remains the heart of Cinéfranco. A slate of promising new filmmakers, like Céline Sciamma (Naissance des pieuvres), and celebrated filmmakers like Jean Becker (Dialogue avec mon jardinier), Claude Berri (Ensemble c’est tout), Claude Lelouch (Roman de gare) and Thomas Gilou (Michou d’Auber) are presenting their work.

For French comedy at its sarcastic best, check out Eric Lavaine’s Poltergay, Ivan Calbérac’s On va s’aimer or Gérard Pirès’ Double Zéro, an outrageous parody of James Bond flicks.

For a lesson on gallant Gallic histoire, watch Laurent Boutonnat’s Jacquou le croquant, an epic, magical drama about a peasant rebellion against French aristocracy at the beginning of the 19th century, or Thomas Gilou’s dramatic comedy Michou d’Auber, an examination of the Algerian War from the point of view of rural France starring Gérard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye.

The festival closes with the highly anticipated Un Secret, by one of France’s best known filmmakers, Claude Miller (The Accompanist, La Petite voleuse, La Petite Lili).

The drama stars Patrick Bruel, Cécile de France, Ludivine Sagnier and Julie Depardieu, who was awarded the 2008 César for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
If the opening night film Toi is any indication of what’s to come the festival, expect a week full of drama, sex, dark comedy and more sex. Oh la la!