Emerging plays Rendez-Vous pix

PARIS -- Gallic promotion org Unifrance is joining track of Emerging Pictures to screen seven French films across 40 U.S. urban centers within 24 hrs they play at Rendez-Vous in NY, which starts Wednesday. Selected from 23 photos in case, the seven include two that have been acquired by U.S. distribs: Delphine and Muriel Coulin's debut "17 Women," acquired by Strand Delivering, and Daniel Auteuil's "The Well-Digger's Daughter," acquired by Kino Lorber. Among the other five, that do not have U.S. distrib, are Alain Cavalier's Cannes competition player "Pater" and Laurent Achard's "Derniere seance" (Last Screening), which unspooled within the Locarno and Rotterdam fests. "Venues fitted with digital projection are key because films might be proven on Blu-ray disks on HD cams, which can make them a more compact amount pricey and cumbersome than 35 mm," referred to Richard Lorber, founder and prexy of arthouse distrib Kino Lorber. Unifrance controlling director Regine Hatchondo concurred. "Exhibition technologies are important elements now in growing the chance of various kinds of niche films and becoming those to a wider audience," she mentioned, adding that 25% of revenues from Emerging Pictures' ticket sales will go to the films' right-holders. Fest, kept in co-operation while using Film Society of Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center, bows around the high note with Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's box office phenom "Intouchables," the Weinstein Co. acquired before it opened up up in France, following its screening in San Sebastian. The distrib will release it late May. Nakache and Toledano, along with one of the two lead stars, Francois Cluzet, will attend the Unifrance U.S. premiere. Repped by Gaumont, "Intouchables" is Gaul's third finest B.O. earner total and Germany's finest French hit. The Rendez-Vous may even play Olivier Marchal's "A Gang Story," another Weinstein Co. domestic release helmer Benoit Jacquot's Berlin opener "Farewell My Full," starring Diane Kruger and Jum Seydoux, plus Audrey Tautou starrer "Delicacy," both acquired by Cohen Media Group and Robert Guediguian's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," repped by Films Distribution. The Rendez-Vous systems March 11. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com