THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University will hold its sixth annual French film festival with free screenings Sept. 14 through Nov. 2.

The Fall 2012 Francophone Film Festival on the CLU Campus will feature five movies, which will all start at 7:15 p.m. in Preus-Brandt Forum. They explore the themes of integrity, compassion and diversity. All films are subtitled in English.

“Les Femmes du sixième étage” (“The Women on the Sixth Floor,” 2011) - Friday, Sept. 14

In 1960, Jean-Louis (Fabrice Luchini) lives a bourgeois existence in Paris, cohabitating peacefully with his neurotic socialite wife, Suzanne (Sandrine Kiberlain). But when they hire a Spanish maid, Maria, he is introduced to the building’s servants’ quarters and a sassy group of refugees from the Franco regime.

“Le Havre” (2011) - Friday, Sept. 21

In this warmhearted portrait of the French harbor city, fate throws young African refugee Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) into the path of well-spoken bohemian Marcel Marx (André Wilms). With the unwavering support of his community, Marcel stands up to officials pursuing the boy for deportation.

“Potiche” (“Trophy Wife,” 2010) - Friday, Sept. 28

Set in a provincial French town in 1977, “Potiche” is a free adaptation of the hit comic play. When umbrella factory workers go on strike and take the tyrannical manager (Fabrice Luchini) hostage, his submissive “trophy wife,” Suzanne Pujol (Catherine Deneuve) proves an assertive woman of action.

“Les Émotifs anonymes” (“Romantics Anonymous,” 2010) - Friday, Oct. 26

Angélique (Isabelle Carré) is a gifted chocolate-maker whose uncontrollable shyness prevents her from acknowledging her talents until she is hired as a sales associate by struggling chocolatier Jean-René (Benoît Poelvoorde) in this delectable comedy.

“Monsieur Lazhar” (2011) - Friday, Nov. 2

After the death of a well-liked teacher shakes a Montreal middle school class,

Bachir Lazhar (Fellag), a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, offers his services as asubstitute. As he helps the children heal, he also learns to accept his ownpainful past. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign LanguageFilm.

The Fall 2012 Francophone Film Festival is made possible with a grant from the CLU Community Leaders Association.

Preus-Brandt Forum is located south of Olsen Road between Mountclef Boulevard and CampusDrive. For more information, contact Karen Renick of the French Department at renick@callutheran.edu or go to callutheran.edu.