Top French and American Producers Unpack Financing Divide Between French and U.S. Indie Films

Top French and American film producers discussed the differences between France’s public funding system and the U.S.’s private investment model and how it helps decide the films that reach the marketplace during a panel session held Saturday as part of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous event in New York.

The annual showcase of French cinema is unfolding March 5-15 at the Film at Lincoln Center theater. It’s organized by Film at Lincoln Center and France’s quasi-state film commission, Unifrance. Saturday’s session brought together the producers behind Hasan Hadi’s Iraqi feature “The President’s Cake,” which was shortlisted for nomination for this year’s international feature film Oscar category; as well as Hafsia Herzi’s Cannes prizewinning “The Little Sister” and Adam Meeks’ “Union County,” which was in dramatic competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Julie Billy, whose film “The Little Sister” – directed by actor-turned-filmmaker…