For 26 years, the Richmond French Film Festival had gained a reputation in the United States and France, with over 450 French and French-language films screened each year. Since 2003, it has been officially recognized by the former French Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Jean-David Levitte, as the most important French film festival in USA. This festival was created and organized by Drs. Peter and Françoise Kirkpatrick, professors of French literature, culture and cinema at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond. The festival has distinguished itself over the years with numerous North American premiere screenings, including several world premieres. The films are screened at the historic Byrd Theatre in Richmond, Virginia. A reception with French celebrities is held each year, during which festival-goers have even more time to meet and talk with the French stars.