Randal Kleiser
Editorial
I am honored to serve as President of this year’s Jury for the Champs Elysees Film Festival. Ever since I was in film school at the University of Southern California, I have been aware of the strong connection between French and American Cinema.
Both cultures have a shared love for this amazing medium. Over the years I have hosted many French directors in Los Angeles and have traveled to France to work with young French actors and filmmakers at festivals in Deauville, Sarlat, Cognac.
I look forward to seeing these American films from the perspective of the jury of young French actors and directors. I am sure it will be an exciting and enlightening cultural experience for all and we will work hard to honor the best of the Festival.
Randal Kleiser
Biography
Randal Kleiser has been an internationally known film director since the release of his first feature, Grease, the most successful musical ever made.
He recently wrote and directed the 360 degree Virtual Reality series Defrost, featuring Carl Weathers, Bruce Davison, Harry Hamlin and Veronica Cartwright which was shown at this year’s NEXT at Cannes Film Festival
Other credits include The Blue Lagoon, Summer Lovers, Flight of the Navigator, White Fang, Honey I Blew up the baby, Big Top Pee-wee, It’s My Party…
Working in 70mm 3-D, he directed Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, for the Disneyland Parks in Paris, Anaheim, Orlando, and Tokyo.
This led to the US Government signing him to develop a virtual reality simulator to train soldiers to deal with Improvised Explosive Devices in the Middle East.
With George Lucas, he produced the online course, USC School of Cinematic Arts presents the Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors. He has taught seminars and courses in America and France and serves on the Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. At the Directors Guild of America he serves on the National Board.
