Award will recognise more than 60 years of promoting and distributing French films around the world.

UniFrance films is to be honoured with the CineEurope Independent Film Award at CineEurope 2013.

The official convention of the International Union of Cinemas will take place from June 24-27 in Barcelona and the inaugural prize will be given as part of CineEurope’s Award Ceremony.

Robert Sunshine, managing director of the convention, said the award would “acknowledge and pay tribute” to more than 60 years of work “in promoting and bringing French films to the worldwide market”.

Speaking of the award, Sunshine added: “Because of the importance of independent film in the marketplace, we are delighted to establish this award and to have selected UniFrance films as the first year recipient.

“This will become an annual award that will be given out as part of CineEurope’s Award Ceremony.”

Founded in 1949, UniFrance films groups together more than 900 French movie industry professionals, including producers, artists, and sales agents, who have joined forces to promote their films to foreign audiences, professionals, and media organizations.

UniFrance films’ activities include the world’s largest French film market: the Rendez-vous with French Cinema; participation at the major international film markets and providing support to foreign distributors for the commercial release of French films.

It also raises foreign journalists’ awareness of French films; organises French film festivals in 10 strategic countries including the US; oversees “Cinema Lessons” given by French directors at foreign film schools; and both promotes and subtitles French short films at festivals, markets, and on the Internet.