The Alliance Française French Film Festival is set to return in 2026 following a record-breaking year that welcomed almost 199,000 attendees nationwide, cementing its status as Australia’s largest national film festival and the biggest celebration of French cinema outside France.
Ahead of the 37th edition, the festival has unveiled its official trailer and offered an early “avant-goût” of seven standout films from the upcoming program. The festival will run from 3 March to 26 April 2026 across the country, with Melbourne screenings scheduled from 4 March to 8 April.
The preview selection signals another strong year for contemporary French cinema. Among the highlights is Jean Valjean, a powerful reimagining of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables starring Grégory Gadebois, Bernard Campan, Alexandra Lamy and Isabelle Carré. François Ozon brings a bold new interpretation to Albert Camus’ L’Étranger (The Stranger), with Benjamin Voisin stepping into one of literature’s most complex roles.
Lighter moments arrive with Fabien Gorgeart’s C’est Quoi L’amour ? (What Is Love?), pairing Laure Calamy and Vincent Macaigne, while Alice Winocour’s Coutures offers a high-stakes drama set during Paris Fashion Week, led by Angelina Jolie.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to Cannes opener Partir Un Jour (Leave One Day), sci-fi thriller Chien 51 (DOG 51) starring Gilles Lellouche and Adèle Exarchopoulos, and the darkly comic Classe Moyenne (The Party’s Over!), featuring Laure Calamy, Laurent Lafitte, Élodie Bouchez and Ramzy Bedia.
Alliance Française French Film Festival CEO Frédéric Alliod said: “As we look ahead to the 2026 edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival, I am proud to unveil a selection of titles that invite Australian audiences to travel through French cinema, across time, continents and emotions. From powerful true stories and bold contemporary voices to comedies, period dramas and unforgettable romances, this year’s programme reflects the extraordinary vitality and diversity of French cinema.
“We remain deeply committed to championing women on screen and behind the camera, celebrating new talents alongside cinema legends, and offering films that move, surprise and inspire. More than ever, the festival is a celebration of French storytelling in all its richness, openness and emotion, and a platform for intercultural exchange and dialogue with our loyal Australian audiences.”
The full program will be announced on Wednesday, 28 January, with tickets on sale from Thursday, 5 February.
