The Quai d’Orsay recently hosted the annual award ceremony for the Grand Prix du Rayonnement français, in the presence of personalities from the cultural, scientific, economic and political world.
Brigitte Macron, guest of honor at the ceremony
Chaired for the second consecutive year by HRH Princess Yasmine Murat, president of the French Outreach Association, the event once again highlighted those who work for influence of France on the international scene.
“Cinema is a weapon of massive influence”, she declared.
Brigitte Macron was the guest of honor at this prestigious evening, during which her commitment to initiatives promoting French know-how and excellence was praised by the guests.
“France shines to an extent that sometimes we do not imagine, we do not always realize to what extent France attracts attention in all areas. This event reminds us of this immense pride,” declared Brigitte Macron.
An evening around cinema as a vector of soft power
Placed under the high patronage of President of the Republic and with the support of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the evening highlighted an essential theme: the movie theater as an element of soft power. This major art, beyond its cultural influence, plays a crucial role as a powerful vector of dialogue, influence and understanding on the international scene.
A vibrant tribute was paid to this vector of excellence, by designating two personalities of French cinema as winners: Iris Knobloch et Claude Lelouch.
The screening of a unique montage, in partnership with the Cinémathèque française and Konbini, also retraced the restoration of the masterpiece “Napoléon” by Abel Gance (1927), unanimously recognized as a world reference in the 7th art.
The winners rewarded for their contribution to the influence of the country
The Grand Prix du Rayonnement Français 2024 rewards personalities, companies and organizations who contribute to the greatness of France in several areas: gastronomy, economy, culture, sport, environment, humanitarian and many others.
This year, leading figures were rewarded:
- Claude Lelouchrenowned filmmaker, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his numerous contributions to the 7th art.
- Florent ManaudouOlympic swimming champion, was crowned with the Sports Outreach prize, highlighting his brilliant career and his role as ambassador of French sporting excellence.
- Iris Knobloch, president of the Cannes Film Festival, was awarded the Cultural Outreach Prize, highlighting the central role of the festival in France’s global cultural influence.
- Xavier Darcoschancellor of the Institut de France, was awarded the Francophonie Prize.
- Jean-Louis Étiennemedical explorer, received the Environmental Outreach Prize, in recognition of his commitment to preserving the environment.
- France Média Monde, represented by Marie-Christine Zaragosse, received the Special Jury Prize, recognizing its action in favor of the international influence of French media.
- Yasmine Belkaid, general director of the Institut Pasteur, received the Scientific Outreach Prize, recognizing her research work of global scope.
- Bénédicte Epinay, CEO of the Colbert committee, was honored with the Economic Outreach Prize for her commitment to promoting the French luxury industries.
- Bistrots and Cafés de France, represented by Alain Fontaine, won the Gastronomic Outreach Prize, celebrating French gastronomic heritage.
- Béatrice de Plinval, ambassador of Maison Chaumet, was awarded the “Coup de cœur” prize by Princess Yasmine Murat.
- Gérard Feldzer, pilot and president of Aviation Sans Frontières, won the Humanitarian Outreach Prize, highlighting his action in the service of the most vulnerable around the world.
A jury made up of leading figures from the cultural, scientific and media landscape
The winners of this edition were chosen by a jury composed of major figures of French cultural, scientific and media landscape. Among them were Anne-Marie Descotes (general secretary of the Quai d’Orsay), Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam (honorary generator and honorary president), Stéphane Bern (host and heritage historian), Yves Bigot (ex-director general of TV5 Monde), Guillaume Gomez (ambassador of French gastronomy), Stéphane Serve (president of Rungis), François Maurinière (president of the Bayard group), Olivier Poivre d’Arvor (ambassador of maritime clusters and issues), Rémy Rioux (director general of AFD), Daniel Rondeau (writer and academician), Arnaud Vaissié (CEO International SOS and French CCI) and Dominique Wolton (research director at CNRS).
