France’s CNC Appoints Former French Cultural Services Director Gaëtan Bruel as President

Gaëtan Bruel Appointed President of France's National Film Board

Gaëtan Bruel, former Director of the French Cultural Services in the U.S., has been appointed President of the National Film Board (CNC) of France, the country's premier film institution.

Bruel, 36, joins the CNC from the French Ministry of Culture, where he has served as Chief of Staff since 2024. Previously, he led the French Cultural Services, a division of the French Embassy with a presence in nine American cities, from 2019 to 2023.

During his tenure, Bruel collaborated with the CNC to promote French talent and the country's audiovisual sector in the U.S., including the launch of a dedicated unit in Los Angeles. His signature achievement is Villa Albertine, a U.S.-wide residency program established in 2021 for French creatives across various disciplines, including filmmakers, artists, VR creators, and architects. To date, Villa Albertine has supported over 250 creators in 50 cities nationwide.

Bruel also spearheaded the restructuring of the French Embassy's support for French cinema distribution and implemented initiatives to promote French professionals in the U.S. Notably, he expanded the embassy's activities into the video game and digital creation sectors.

Bruel's appointment, made by President Emmanuel Macron on the recommendation of Culture Minister Rachida Dati, has a three-year term. He will officially assume office on February 17th, succeeding Olivier Henrard as Acting President of the CNC.

As a government-backed entity, the CNC plays a pivotal role in allocating film and TV subsidies and establishing industry regulations. In 2024, France emerged as Europe's strongest theatrical market.

The CNC's mission, as communicated in the announcement of Bruel's appointment, is to "continue to strengthen the excellence and competitiveness of the film, audiovisual, and video game industries amidst international transformation driven by digital challenges and the rise of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, it aims to foster creativity and innovation within these sectors, with a particular focus on independent players."