A Visionary Leader Bridging American and European Cinema

The 15th edition of the Festival du Film Merveilleux has announced the appointment of Florent Lamy as its 2025 President, bringing a unique blend of transatlantic expertise and innovative vision to Paris’s premier celebration of magical cinema.

As the Founder & CEO of Elevate Management, Lamy represents a new generation of entertainment industry leaders who have successfully bridged the gap between American and European markets. His appointment signals the festival’s continued evolution and commitment to fostering international collaboration in the realm of fantastical storytelling.

From Press Agent to Industry Pioneer

Lamy’s journey in the entertainment industry began over a decade ago as a press agent for American films distributed in France by MetropolitanFilmexport, where he spent 10 formative years learning the intricacies of international film distribution and marketing. This experience provided him with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities of bringing American content to European audiences.

In 2013-2014, armed with this knowledge and a clear vision, Lamy founded Elevate Management with an ambitious goal: to bring the sophisticated American agency model to Europe. His strategy was both bold and necessary, recognizing a gap in the market for high-level representation of American talent seeking to expand their presence in European markets.

Building a Star-Studded Portfolio

The success of Lamy’s approach became evident early on when he secured his first major client: Oscar-winning American director James Foley. This prestigious partnership served as a launchpad for what would become one of Europe’s most respected talent management agencies.

Today, Elevate Management’s impressive roster reads like a Hollywood walk of fame, representing acclaimed actors, athletes, content creators, and influencers including:

• Jeff Goldblum
• Megan Fox
• Elsa Pataky
• Holt McCallany
• Djimon Hounsou
• Emmanuelle Chriqui
• Ben Feldman

This diverse portfolio demonstrates Lamy’s ability to identify and nurture talent across various entertainment sectors, from established Hollywood veterans to emerging digital creators.

International Recognition and Industry Leadership

Lamy’s innovative approach and growing influence have not gone unnoticed by industry publications and peers. In 2016, Screen International recognized his potential by naming him one of their “Future Leaders: Agents,” an international accolade that highlighted his emerging influence in talent management.

The recognition reached new heights in 2019 when Variety made history by including Elevate Management in its prestigious list of talent management agencies to watch—marking the first time a French agency had ever been featured in this traditionally American-focused ranking.

A Truly Global Operation

Under Lamy’s leadership, Elevate Management has evolved into a fully integrated agency with offices spanning four major entertainment hubs: Paris, London, New York, and Miami (opened in 2024). This international presence enables the agency to offer comprehensive services including:

• Financial packaging
• Strategic casting
• Brand partnerships
• Image and press management through a dedicated division

The agency’s global footprint has positioned it as a key partner for some of the most prestigious American and British agencies, including CAA, Artist Partnership, Range Media, and Untitled Entertainment. These partnerships enable seamless collaboration in positioning international talent within European markets.

Visionary Projects and Future Endeavors

Beyond his work with Elevate Management, Lamy has demonstrated his commitment to creative innovation through the founding of Imagineers Studio. This venture focuses on creating a universe of innovative European superheroes, a strategic narrative project that represents modern and symbolic storytelling for contemporary audiences.

This creative initiative aligns perfectly with the Festival du Film Merveilleux’s mission to celebrate magical and fantastical cinema, suggesting that Lamy’s presidency will bring fresh perspectives on the intersection of commercial success and artistic innovation.

A Perfect Match for Festival du Film Merveilleux

The Festival du Film Merveilleux, launched in 2010 and now in its 15th year, has established itself as one of the world’s most truly international celebrations of magic and fantasy in cinema. With films programmed from more than 30 countries since its inception, the festival has consistently proven that magical storytelling knows no borders. This year’s program alone spans continents, featuring works from Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, USA, France, South Korea, Iran, Italy, China, Kazakhstan, and Benin, demonstrating the universal appeal of fantastical cinema.

From Soviet-era musicians haunted by mysterious phenomena in “Hymne of Plague” to an AI maid discovering her humanity in “Sequoia,” from Iranian street performers in “Out of Tune” to Chinese mystical tales in “A Drop of a Dew,” the festival’s three-session program at Christine Cinéma Club in Paris’s historic Latin Quarter showcases the remarkable diversity of contemporary magical storytelling.

The festival’s commitment to discovering and promoting this diverse tapestry of fantastical storytelling from emerging and established filmmakers worldwide mirrors Lamy’s own dedication to nurturing creative talent across cultural boundaries. His experience in bridging American and European markets, combined with his understanding of global entertainment ecosystems, positions him perfectly to lead a festival that has already proven its commitment to showcasing the very best in international magical cinema.

Supporting the Next Generation

The festival’s mentoring program, which aims to strengthen young people’s capacity to pursue professional adventures in the film industry, aligns seamlessly with Lamy’s track record of talent development. Through personal creative coaching and community engagement, the program creates a more inclusive world for emerging filmmakers, a mission that resonates with Lamy’s own journey from press agent to industry leader.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the Festival du Film Merveilleux prepares for its milestone 15th edition under Lamy’s leadership, taking place at Christine Cinéma Club in Paris’s Latin Quarter from September 18-20, 2025, the industry can expect an event that showcases the remarkable global diversity the festival is known for. This year’s program, featuring everything from a Soviet-era ghost story from Germany/Russia to a heartfelt letter from Benin, from Iranian street musicians to Chinese mystical tales, exemplifies the festival’s commitment to proving that magical storytelling truly transcends all boundaries.

Lamy’s appointment represents more than just a leadership change; it signals the festival’s continued evolution as the world’s premier platform for international fantastical storytelling, where creativity from over 30 countries meets cutting-edge industry expertise, and where the universal magic of cinema continues to inspire and connect audiences across all cultures and continents.

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