The Élyséfirst edition of the Champs-Élysées Film Festival was held from 6 to 12 June 2012, with actors Lambert Wilson and Michael Madsen presiding. During the first edition, more than 15,000 people attended, with more than 50 films screened. Besides the Official Selection of American Independent Films, the Festival's main event, three other non-competitive selections were presented: French Galas, American Galas and Oscar Nominated Foreign Language Films. A competitive Official Shorts Selection was also showcased. A tribute to Harvey Weinstein was held to celebrate his career and a retrospective of 11 of his films was shown throughout the week. Three Audience Prizes (Best American Feature-Length Film, Best American Short Film, Best French Short Film) were presented during the Closing Ceremony, held at the Publicis Cinema.
Official Selection
American Independent Feature-Length Films
Jesus Henry Christ, directed by Dennis Lee
Blank City, directed by Céline Danhier
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding, directed by Bruce Beresford
Bernie, directed by Richard Linklater
Tabloïd, directed by Errol Morris
The Perfect Family, directed by Anne Renton
Keep the Lights On, directed by Ira Sachs
LUV directed by Sheldon Candis
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present, directed by Matthew Akers
Not Waving But Drowning, directed by Devyn Waitt
Short films
The Official Selection of Short Films comprises more than 30 films, which were selected by a French industry team as well as four major film school programs: University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University's Columbia University Film Festival for the United States and Paris-based film school La Femis for France.
French Shorts Competitive Selection
French Shorts Selection
Hurlement d'un Poisson, directed by Sébastien Carfora
It's a Miracul’house, directed by Stéphane Freiss
Les Meutes, directed by Manuel Schapira
Mon Canard, directed by Emmanuelle Michelet & Vincent Fouquet
Les Grossesses de Charlemagne, directed by Nicolas Slomka & Matthieu Rumani
Plume, directed by Barry Purves
Personne(s), directed by Marc Fouchard
La Fille de l'Homme, directed by Manuel Schapira
Kiss & Kill, directed by Alain Ross
La Femis Shorts Selection
Goose, directed by Morgan Simon
Demain Ce Sera Bien, directed by Pauline Gay
On Tracks, directed by Laurent Navarri
Bye Bye Wild Boy, directed by Julie Lena
American Shorts Competitive Selection
USC School of Cinematic Arts Shorts Selection
Little Spoon, directed by Lauren Fash
Ellen, directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes
Efrain, directed by Matthew Breault
Fig, directed by Ryan Coogler
The Nature of Fall, directed by Tomer Stolz
New York University Tisch School of the Arts Shorts Selection
Little Horse, directed by Levi Abrino
Border Land, directed by Alexander Smolowe
Premature, directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green
Down in Number 5, directed by Kim Spurlock
Columbia University Film Festival Shorts Selection
Rolling on the Floor Laughing, directed by Rusel Harbaugh
Motherland, directed by Shario Siddiqui
Hatch, directed by Christoph Kusching
Crossing, directed by Gina Atwater
Off Season, directed by Jonathan Van Tulleken
The Hirosaki Players, directed by Jeff Sousa
US in Progress Official Selection
A Teacher, directed by Hannah Fidell
I am I directed by Jocelyn Towne
House of Last Things directed by Michael Bartlett
Desert Cathedral, directed by Travis Gutiérrez Senger
Awards
Audience Prizes
Best American Independent Film: Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present, directed by Matthew Akers Best American Short Film: Motherland, directed by Shariq Siddiqui Best French Short Film: It's Miracul'house, directed by Stéphane Freiss