“Ice Tower” (left) and “The World’s Richest Woman” (right) | Image provided
The 37th Alliance Française French Film Festival has announced its full program for 2026, with 38 films scheduled to be screened across Australia from March 3 to April 26. Held over nine weeks in 18 cities and 40 venues, the lineup includes a mix of Cannes titles, French box office performers, and star-studded dramas and comedies.
Festival CEO Frédéric Alliot described the selection as works that aim to take audiences “across time, continents and emotions,” adding that the program reflects “the extraordinary vitality and diversity of French cinema.”
Night movie opening and ending
Opening the festival is Cédric Klapisch’s La Venue De L’avenir (Colours Of Time), a playful homage to France’s artistic traditions and changing social mores. Suzanne Lyndon, Vincent Macaigne, Cécile de France and Paul Kircher star as cousins who inherit an old house in the Normandy countryside and trace their family history back to 19th century Paris.
The final night concludes with Johann Dione’s romantic comedy Avignon, set in the heart of France’s most famous theater festival. Baptiste Lecaplain, Alison Wheeler, and Lyès Salem star in this film that looks poised to end the festival on a lighter note (always a good choice when you’ve spent nine emotional weeks listening to strangers speak rapidly in subtitles).
big names on screen
If you base your selection on cast first (no judgment), there’s a lot to take advantage of in the program. Isabelle Huppert starred in La Femme La Plus Riche Du Monde (The Richest Woman in the World), and Laure Calami appeared in both Classe Moyenne (The Party’s Over!) and C’est quoi L’amour? (love is?).
Festival patron Gracie Otto said she was “absolutely honored” to be a part of this year’s festival, which she described as “a celebration that brings the richness, boldness and emotional resonance of French cinema to audiences across Australia”. Otto also spoke about the personal importance of France to her, saying, “I lived there for a time, so I speak some French, and I’ve long been inspired by the artistry, grace, and fearlessness of its filmmaking.”
Female film directors are thriving
A key figure in this year’s program is that 10 of the 38 films are directed by female filmmakers. Ariod said the festival remains “deeply committed to championing women on screen and behind the camera,” while maintaining a balance of new voices and established names.
That commitment is evident in everything from Julia Ducournau’s shocking “Alpha,” to Hafsia Helge’s Cannes youth drama “La Petit d’Elnière” (“Little Sister”), starring breakout star Nadia Meriti, and Rebecca Zlotowski’s “Vie Prive” (“Private Life”), starring Jodie Foster in her first French-language lead role.
Other additions include Lucille Hadjihalilovic’s La Tour de Glace (The Tower of Ice), starring Marion Cotillard, and Barbara Schulz’s Le Secret de It also includes works by up-and-coming filmmakers such as Treasure Hunters (Treasure Hunters), Amélie Bonnin (Partir en Jour) and Enya Ballou (On Ira).
Cannes titles and festival showcase screenings
The festival, which takes place directly from Cannes, will also feature outstanding works such as “L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche,” which tells the story of Danish architect Otto von Spreckelsen, who unexpectedly won the competition to design the Great Arch of La Défense. Croisette-related films include the French coming-of-age drama Enzo, Dominique Mol’s crime drama Dossier 137 (Case 137) starring Léa Drucker, and the animated feature Amélie et la Métaphysique Des Tubes (Little Amélie or the Character Of Rain) by filmmakers Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.
The festival’s showcase screening events will also return. This includes the featured premiere of La Femme La Pluse Riche du Monde, the Taste of France selection La Réparation directed by Oscar winner Régis Warnier, the classic film slot featuring Claude Lelouch’s Man and Woman, and Ladies’ Night selection Cete Meux Dumain (Cycle of). time).
2026 lineup details
Beyond headline premieres and Cannes titles, the program spans thrillers, crime comedies, documentaries and dramas. Fils De (The Son Of) directed by Carlos Abascal Peiro, starring Jean Chevalier, Karin Viard, François Cluzet, Emily Kahn, and Alex Lutz. Dominique Beaumard’s art-heist crime comedy “Les Règles de L’art” (The French Job); Maigret and the Dead Lover is based on the novel by Georges Simenon. “Les Musiciens” (Musicians) by Gregory Magne. Drama day “Une Pointe D’amour (A Dash Of Love)”. The counterfeit thriller “Lafea Boyarsky” (“The Money Maker”) starring Leda Kateb. “Bicyclette (Ride Away)” Directed by and starring Matthias Murekouz, starring Philippe Lebot. 13 Hours, 13 Nui (13 days, 13 nights) based on France’s attempt to evacuate its nationals and Afghan nationals from Kabul in August 2021. Frederick Kling’s comedy “Doux Jésus (A Nun In The City)”. Documentary Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand. Comedy “T’as Pas Changé” (Alumni Association). Guruu is a psychological thriller directed by Jan Gozlan and starring Pierre Ninny and Holt McCallany. Les Enfants Vont Bien (Out of Love) by Nathan Ambroscioni. and Philippe Mehran’s comedy “Le Lutard” (“The Rookie Guide”).
Mr Ariod summed up the festival’s purpose as “a celebration of the French story in all its richness, openness and emotion, and a platform for cross-cultural exchange and dialogue with our loyal Australian audience”.
The Alliance Française French Film Festival will be held across Australia from 3 March to 26 April 2026. To view the full program or secure your tickets, visit the festival’s official website.
The following trailer was also released at the festival:
