Unifrance Reelects Gilles Pélisson as President as French Film and TV Promotion Org Expands Global Ambitions

Gilles Pélisson has been unanimously reelected as president of Unifrance for a second three-year term, extending his mandate at the helm of the French film and TV promotion body.

The former TF1 Group chairman and CEO first took over the organization three years ago and has been working alongside Unifrance executive director Daniela Elstner to boast the visibility of French productions across major international festivals and markets, including Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and its own Rendez-Vous events, which gather international buyers, distributors, sales agents and journalists.

“I am very happy with the confidence that Unifrance’s board has renewed in me for the next three years,” Pélisson said following his reelection. “Building on the path we have traveled together, I am looking toward our future, with a few certainties but also many unknowns, and with the conviction that our mission to promote French cinema and audiovisual works internationally is more essential than ever.”

During his first mandate, Pélisson helped steer Unifrance through a period of transformation following its 2021 merger with TV France International, which brought film and television under the same promotional umbrella. The organization has since worked to better align the international promotion of French films, series, animation, documentaries and audiovisual programs at a time when boundaries between formats and platforms continue to blur.

Pélisson previously told Variety that animation and co-productions have become key drivers of French content’s appeal abroad, reflecting the sector’s ability to travel across borders and reach a wide range of audiences. French animation, in particular, has remained a strong export asset thanks to the country’s deep talent pool, production infrastructure and reputation for auteur-driven storytelling, while co-productions have helped French companies stay connected to global financing and distribution networks.

Pélisson said Unifrance would continue to build on France’s robust support system, citing the backing of the CNC and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, while pushing ahead with both established events and new initiatives.

The organization, founded in 1949, represents more than 1,000 French industry professionals, including producers, exporters, directors, actors, agents and distributors.