Pascale Ferran

Pascale Ferran (born 17 April 1960 in Paris, France) is a celebrated French film director and screenwriter whose work is noted for its lyrical realism and inventive narrative structures. Raised by sports journalist Jacques Ferran, she cultivated a passion for cinema early, running the film club at her high school before enrolling at IDHEC (now La Fémis) from 1980 to 1983, where she honed both technical and storytelling skills. Ferran entered the professional arena in 1983 and quickly distinguished herself through documentary work, co‑writing Mange ta soupe (1997) and directing the jazz‑focused Quatre jours à Ocoee (1998), a film shot in Florida that showcased her ability to blend music and visual storytelling. Her breakthrough arrived with the 1994 short Coming to Terms with the Dead, which earned the prestigious Caméra d’Or at Cannes and signaled her emerging voice in French cinema. The director's most acclaimed feature, Lady Chatterley (2006), earned five César Awards—including Best Film, Best Adaptation, and Best Cinematography—and secured the Prix Louis‑Delluc, cementing her reputation for bold literary adaptations. In 2014 she returned to Cannes with Bird People, a surreal drama that competed in the Un Certain Regard section, demonstrating her continued relevance and willingness to explore fantastical themes. Beyond directing, Ferran contributed the screenplay for Michael Dudok de Wit’s animated film The Red Turtle, further diversifying her portfolio. She has also served as president of the Un Certain Regard jury (2007) and remains an influential lecturer, teaching master classes on directing, adaptation, and visual effects across Europe and North America. Ferran co‑founded the production collective LaCinetek in 2015 and sits on the board of La Société des Réalisateurs de Films, reflecting her commitment to nurturing French filmmaking talent and advocating for industry workers' rights.