Unearth the Hidden Gems of the 2026 French Film Festival

The 2026 French Film Festival is in full swing and now is the time to dive in and enjoy a spectacular selection of French films. While you may already be aware of the big blockbusters in the line-up, we've sifted through to help unearth the hidden gems for you to discover.

The festival must end on 22 April so don't miss your chance to see some excellent French flicks!


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Family Matters Family Matters Let the Music Play Let the Music Play Thrill Seekers Thrill Seekers On the Road On the Road For fans of... For fans of...


 

Family Matters

This year's line-up includes a few films featuring family ties, here are three we recommend watching.


The Colours of Time

In 2025, 30 people suddenly learn they are all connected through one shared ancestor: Adèle Meunier. Four are tasked to investigate Adele’s old country home in Normandy, where they uncover the tales of their family’s past lives.

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Six Days in Spring

Hardworking single mother Sana decides to take her two 10-year-old boys on a spring holiday and recklessly decides to drive them to the unattended lavish villa owned by her ex-husband’s parents. Soon, people start to ask questions...

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The Son of

France needs a new Prime Minister. A young parliamentary assistant has a plan, persuade his eccentric politician father to come out of retirement and become the top dog. Sharp, unsparing, and mischievously satisfying.

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Let the Music Play

These musical numbers are sure to have you tapping your toes in time to the beat. Don't miss them!

Leave One Day

Leave One Day blends music naturally into its story, featuring Juliette& Armanet as a skilled chef forced to reconnect with her high school first love during an unplanned trip home. A warm-hearted gem!

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Once Upon A Time Michel Legrand

His work brought French music to the world. Archival footage and interviews reveal who Michel Legrand was and pays tribute to one of this century’s great musical storytellers.

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The Musicians

Wealthy heiress Astrid’s plan to stage a landmark concert is sabotaged by the opposing opinions and beliefs of the master musicians recruited for the performance. How will Astrid revive the event?

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Thrill Seekers

Want to hang on to the edge of your seat? Try these thrillers!


Dog 51

Adapted from Laurent Gaudé’s novel, this dystopian crime thriller examines our relationship with technology, power, and social division — and how these all come at a dangerous price.

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Guru

Matt is the most popular life coach in France. In the spotlight, he promises clarity, self-determination and purification. But, as his influence grows, so does his control over his followers.

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13 Days, 13 Nights

A tense political thriller based on true events focusing on Commander Mohamed Bida’s mission to quickly evacuate hundreds of people from the French embassy, Kabul, while the Taliban controlled the city in 2021.

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On the Road

Many of the films involve not just travel over distant plains, but many emotional journeys too. Here are just three to choose from.


A Dash of Love

Mélanie, a lawyer suffering from a terminal illness, decides to make the most of her life as she takes Benjamin, her old university friend, on a road trip to Spain. An tender romance about disability that is not to be missed!

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Redress

Paskal Jankovski is hours away from receiving his third Michelin star when he disappears during a hunting trip. His daughter Clara inherits the family restaurant and two years later she is invited to Taiwan where the mystery grows.

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Ride Away

Navigating the grief of losing his son, Mathias decides to pay tribute to his memory. Taking his is old friend Philippe with him, he retraces the bicycle journey his son once took from La Rochelle to Istanbul. A moving comedy.

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For fans of...

Before What Comes After

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Bon Voyage Marie

Marie, an 80-year-old cancer patient, wants to end her pain through assisted suicide in Switzerland. She tries to tell her family but panics and invents a lie to cover up the real reason for the trip. Will she tell them the truth before it's too late?

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The Ties that Bind Us

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Out of Love

One summer evening, Suzanne arrives unexpectedly at her sister Jeanne’s house with her two children. Just as suddenly, Suzanne disappears. A family drama about sisterhood, absence and the bonds that endure when words fail.

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The Stolen Painting

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The French Job

On 20 May 2010, five masterpieces worth over 100 million euros were stolen from the Museum of Modern Art in Paris. This offbeat caper film plays with the codes of the heist genre and speculates about what might have happened to the missing paintings.

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More Festival Blog Posts

See more from the Festival, including some of our other recommendations and our local French Film Festival page.


Festival Highlights

With 38 films in this year's Festival line-up, it can be hard to know where to start. We have curated some categories to get you on track and discover some of the hidden gems of this year's Festival to add to your Festival watchlist!


Festival Must-Sees

Lights... Camera... Action! The French Film Festival is about to begin, so now it's time to be swept away by an exquisite selection of films. With so many to choose from, here are just some that we think are must-sees for this edition. Don't miss out!


French Film Festival 2026

See more about all of our local special events; our regional screenings in Victor Harbor; Festival trailer and raffle; school screenings; volunteering opportunities and so much more!

About the Alliance Française French Film Festival

The 37th edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival has come to Adelaide to transport you to the heart of French cinema. From 18 March to 22 April, get ready to be swept away by an exquisite selection of films—from dazzling comedies to gripping dramas and heartwarming romances.

From a spectacular Opening Night celebration to an unforgettable Closing Night finale—plus 36 unmissable films in between—this year’s festival promises laughter, tears, thrills, and pure cinematic magic.


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