The French Cultural network: theaters at the service of French and World Cinema

1With ninety-six Instituts français and nearly eight hundred Alliances françaises spread over five continents, the French cultural network is unique in its scope: it is the most extended cultural diplomacy operation in the world. Where cinema is concerned, this network has a twofold advantage: it can organize film screenings on its own premises or at the venues, museums, universities, festivals or theaters of its partners. The cultural network is historically very heterogeneous, with more than one hundred Alliances françaises equipped with cinemas and about sixty Instituts français located on five continents. These cinemas are mostly multipurpose venues, dedicated not only to cinema but also to performing arts and debates. From a simple room equipped with chairs to a professional cinema, or an outdoor space: the diversity of facilities is immense. This same is true of cinema projection equipment, with some places equipped with 35 mm projectors, video projectors, and in certain