The first edition of the Champs-Élysées Film Festival was held from 6 to 12 June 2012, with actors Lambert Wilson and Michael Madsen presiding.

During the first edition, more than 15,000 people attended, with more than 50 films screened.

Besides the Official Selection of American Independent Films, the Festival's main event, three other non-competitive selections were presented: French Galas, American Galas and Oscar Nominated Foreign Language Films.

A tribute to Harvey Weinstein was held to celebrate his career and a retrospective of 11 of his films was shown throughout the week.

[1][2] The Official Selection of Short Films comprises more than 30 films, which were selected by a French industry team as well as four major film school programs: University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University's Columbia University Film Festival for the United States and Paris-based film school La Femis for France.