Institut Français (IF)

The Institut Français is a French public industrial and commercial organization (EPIC). Started by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for promoting French culture around the world, it replaced the Culturesfrance project in 2011 with an expanded scope of work and increased resources (Decree No. 2010-1695 of 30 December 2010 in response to the law relating to the external scope of the State adopted on July 12, 2010).

Chaired by Bruno Foucher who is assisted by Anne Tallineau, Deputy General manager, and Clément Bodeur-Cremieux, Secretary General, the French Institute works closely with the French cultural network abroad consisting of more than 150 French and institutes nearly 1000 Alliance française around the world. The process of incorporating the cultural networks of a dozen diplomatic missions has been conducted from January 2011 to 2014 as an experiment: Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Georgia, Ghana, India, Kuwait, UK, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore and Syria (suspended due to the political situation in Syria.)

The government has entrusted the Institut français with promoting French culture abroad through artistic exchanges - performing arts, visual arts, architecture, the world-wide diffusion of French books, film, technology and ideas. Accordingly, the institute has developed a new scientific program for the dissemination of culture.

The Institut Français welcomes foreign cultural missions through the organization of "seasons" or festivals and cooperation with the countries of the south, including ensuring the management of the funds of "Fonds Sud Cinema" in partnership with the National Center of Cinematography and the moving image.

It also provides training for newly formed missions and professionalization of staff of the international French cultural network.