The work of the Institut français is at the crossroads of the arts, intellectual exchange, cultural and social innovation, and linguistic cooperation. It supports the promotion of the French language and the circulation of works, artists and ideas throughout the world, thereby fostering a better understanding of cultural issues. In the field of cinema, it contributes in particular to the international cultural dissemination of recent French cinema, highlighting its leading figures and younger generations, as well as promoting works of cinematographic heritage and cinema education.

It also contributes to the promotion of world cinema through the Fabrique des cinémas du monde during the Cannes Film Festival, the Cinémathèque Afrique and the Aide aux cinémas du monde scheme co-managed with the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC). Under the supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (MAEDI) and the French Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC), the Institut français actively contributes to France’s diplomacy of influence. Its projects and programs take account of local contexts, and rely on a unique capacity for deployment through the vast network of cultural services of French embassies, Instituts français and Alliances françaises, as well as numerous partners on all five continents.