The Fourth Edition of PS 58 Francophone Festival

On Sunday, March 15, in celebration of “La Francophonie,” the French-English Dual-Language Program Liaison Committee of PS 58 – The Carroll School proudly presents its fourth annual event featuring a day of French films, book fair, live music and author readings, highlighting the diversity of French arts from around the French-speaking world.

This event is free and open to all. All films are presented by Villa Albertine and Institut Francais and will be in French with English subtitles.

Schedule

11:00 AM : The student musicians from PS 58 open the Francophone Festival

11:35 AM : Opening Remarks by Fabrice Jaumont, Education Attaché at Villa Albertine

11:50 AM : Reading of The Hummingbird Project by Vicky Frémont 

Listen to Vicky Frémont read an excerpt from her book “The Hummingbird Project,” a beautiful story about a hummingbird who helps stop a forest fire one drop at a time, eventually inspiring the bigger animals to join. (followed by Craft in lobby at 12:20pm, RSVP needed, Craft for children ages 8+)

12:45 PM : Series of two short films

• Vanille by Guillaume Lorin, 2020, 31 min: Vanille is a 9-year-old Parisian girl who has just arrived in Guadeloupe. Between her meeting with Oba and the quest for the mysterious Arum Titan flower, her holiday becomes an initiatory adventure full of twists, leading her to discover new places, others, and her own roots. (recommended for ages 8+)
• Lola and the Sound Piano by Augusto Zanovello, 2024, 26 min: Lola is the big sister of five-year-old Simon, who lives in his own world. Watching him, she notices how sensitive he is to the small, hidden sounds of everyday life. With her friend Rolih, Lola decides to build a noise machine to communicate with him. (recommended for ages 6+)

1:50 PM : Reading of Biscotte and the New Kid by Karine Cohen Dicker

‘Biscotte And The New Kid’ is the story of a beautiful encounter between Biscotte, a little girl with a crunchy personality, and a new pupil in her class, Moumou, from a newly-arrived refugee family. In this country, people speak French, English and, above all, the universal language of friendship. A bilingual book in French and English with a coloring activity inside! (all ages)

2:30 PM : Solo music performance by the artist Natie

Don’t miss Natie, a Creole singer-songwriter from Réunion Island, now based in New York City, as she brings her soulful, multilingual sound to the stage! After touring the world with Beyoncé and Jay-Z, she launched her solo career with Identity and her debut EP In the Key Of Fall, sharing powerful stories of Creole identity and belonging. (followed by a  workshop: Introduction to Songwriting in the gym from 3:15 – 4:15)

3:30 PM : Series of two short films

• Capybarasby Alfredo Soderguit, 2024, 10min : Hunting season has begun. A family of capybaras seek refuge in a chicken coop, but the hens don’t trust them. But the curiosity of the youngest capybaras creates a union with unexpected consequences. (recommended for ages 5+)
• Once Upon a Time in Dragonville by Marika Herz, 2024, 9min : Samson, a dragon bullied by the other inhabitants of Dragonville, is forced to enter Humanville. There he meets Simon, a little boy who helps him to face all the difficulties. Samson discovers a new world and, above all, a taste of friendship. (recommended for ages 3+)

4:10 PM : Feature Film Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary by Rémi Chayé, 1h22

Set in 1863, this animated tale tells the origin of Wild West legend Calamity Jane. Twelve-year-old Martha Jane takes charge of her family after her father’s accident, trading skirts for boys’ breeches and defying pioneer norms. Falsely accused of theft, she runs away into the Wild, discovering herself and the world that will shape her into the iconic Calamity Jane. (recommended for ages 6+)

Learn more about the festival here!