Catherine Poletti

Catherine Poletti is a prominent French film producer and festival organizer, best known as the co-founder and long-time general delegate of the Semaine de la Critique (International Critics' Week), a parallel section of the Festival de Cannes. Alongside her husband, Thierry Frémaux, she has been instrumental in shaping the festival's support for emerging talent, notably through the creation of the Cinéfondation and the Atelier du Festival. Her career is dedicated to discovering and nurturing new voices in world cinema.

Early life and education

Born in Paris in 1960, Catherine Poletti developed an early passion for the arts. She pursued higher education in film studies and art history, attending institutions that provided a strong foundation in cinematic theory and cultural management. Her academic path led her to engage with the vibrant French New Wave legacy and the contemporary film scene, which solidified her commitment to a career within the film industry. This period of study was crucial in forming her curatorial vision and understanding of auteur cinema.

Career

Catherine Poletti's career is inextricably linked to the Festival de Cannes. In 1991, she co-founded the Cinéfondation, a pivotal initiative under the Cannes Film Festival umbrella designed to support film students and emerging directors from around the globe. Her most defining role began with her leadership of the Semaine de la Critique, an independent section founded in 1962 that she helped revitalize. As its general delegate, she was responsible for selecting first and second feature films, establishing the section as a premier launchpad for directors like Jacques Audiard, Andrea Arnold, and Jeff Nichols. In 2005, she and Thierry Frémaux created the Atelier du Festival, a workshop that provides personalized support to filmmakers with projects in development, further expanding Cannes's role in film production. Her work has consistently championed independent film and fostered international co-productions.

Personal life

Catherine Poletti is married to Thierry Frémaux, the general delegate of the Festival de Cannes and director of the Institut Lumière in Lyon. Their partnership is both personal and professional, representing a powerful force in the curation and direction of one of the world's most prestigious film festivals. They reside in France and are known for their discreet private life, maintaining a focus on their shared mission within the cinematic community. Their collaboration is widely regarded as a key element in the ongoing evolution and influence of the Cannes Film Festival.

Filmography

As a producer, Catherine Poletti has been involved with several notable films, often supporting projects discovered through her festival work. Her filmography includes: * The Last Mistress (2007) – Associate Producer * The Princess of Montpensier (2010) – Co-producer * Farewell, My Queen (2012) – Co-producer * Saint Laurent (2014) – Co-producer * The Death of Louis XIV (2016) – Producer

Awards and nominations

While Catherine Poletti herself is not typically a direct recipient of competitive film awards, her initiatives and the films she has supported have garnered immense recognition. The Semaine de la Critique and Cinéfondation sections have launched films that have won major prizes at Cannes, including the Caméra d'Or, the Grand Prix, and the Palme d'Or. In 2015, she was honored with the French Legion of Honour (Chevalier) for her exceptional contributions to French culture and the promotion of cinema worldwide. This decoration stands as a formal acknowledgment of her decades of influential work within the international film community.

Category:1960 births Category:French film producers Category:Cannes Film Festival people Category:Living people