The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University will host its annual French Film Festival, beginning Thursday, Feb. 21 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Waccamaw Higher Education Center, located at 160 Willbrook Blvd. off U.S. 17 in Litchfield.

The event, presented as part of the "Tournees Festival," was made possible through the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture. Admission is $1 for students and Lifelong Learners; $2 others. For more information, call 349-4030.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: "Fauteuils d'orchestre (Avenue Montaigne)," 2006.

A young woman comes to Paris to work as a waitress at the old-fashioned Café des Arts on the fabled Avenue Montaigne, which is Paris' nexus for art, music, theater and fashion. There she meets a variety of characters. Directed by Daniele Thompson (106 mins) France's entry for 2007 Oscars. One win and four nominations at the Cesars (French Oscars).

Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.: "L'Equipier (The Light)," 2004.

Camille arrives at the island of Ouessant in Brittany to sell her parents' house. She discovers, in her mother's diary, the story of a stranger who came in 1963 and worked as a team with her father, keeper of the lighthouse. He only stayed two months but had a profound effect on the whole island. Breathtaking scenes filmed on location at La Jument Lighthouse and Ouessant. Directed by Philippe Lioret (100 mins). Nominated for three Cesars.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 1:30 p.m: "Paris, je t'aime," 2006.

Twenty international directors and well known actors tackle 18 of Paris most distinctive neighborhoods. The 18 episodes have been strung together in an order that feels right, with no real link except the umbrella brief to make a five-minute love story in an assigned quarter. Eighteen love stories in the City of Light that go beyond the postcard view of Paris to portray aspects of the city rarely seen on the big screen.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 4:15 p.m.: "Moliere," 2007.

The starting point for this highly enjoyable, witty, touching and often laugh-out-loud costume drama is a gap in the hero's life. Director Tirard speculates on what Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Moliere, one of the giants of classic French theater, might have been doing in 1644 when he briefly vanished from history's radar. The plot is loosely based on two of Moliere's plays. Directed by Laurent Tirard. Winner of Audience Award and Best Actor at the Moscow International Film Festival.

Sunday, Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m.: "Les Amities malefiques (Poison Friends)," 2006.

At the start of the academic year at the Sorbonne, charming, amoral Andre presides over a group of fellow grad students as the dazzlingly assured whiz kid, admired, begrudged, loved and hated. The seductive-diabolical notion of friendship is nimbly sketched here. Directed by Emmanuel Bourdieu. 100 mins. Winner of the Critics Grand Prize, Grand Golden Rail, and Screenwriting Award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Winner of 2007 Cesar for Most Promising Actor.

Sunday, Feb. 24, 3:45 p.m.: "L'Ivresse du pouvoir (Comedy of Power)," 2006.

Inspired by Eva Joly, the real life examining magistrate who exposed the rampant fraud and bribery of a corrupt state-supported oil conglomerate that was France's equivalent of Enron, this cat-and-mice tale features Isabelle Huppert in her seventh collaboration with director Claude Chabrol over the past 29 years. Huppert's character has a Columbo-style grand old time clapping the cuffs on a succession of high-placed wealthy crooks. Directed by Claude Chabrol. Nominated for a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Cannes Film Festival.