French Film Festival 2026 reveals major talent lineup
The French Film Festival London returns for its second year from 18 to 29 November 2026 at the Ciné Lumière, with additional screenings running through 2 December due to demand. The event presents more than 40 films across nearly 100 screenings at the venue that serves as the home of French cinema in the UK and forms part of the French Institute. Curated by experts in contemporary French cinema, the programme expands access to premieres and previews for London audiences.
Audiences can expect award-winning new French films and co-productions alongside thought-provoking documentaries, innovative animation and restored classics. The selection includes works shot in France and internationally with French support, many of them UK premieres still seeking distribution, as well as multi-awarded titles such as Minotaur, France’s Oscar contender for 2027.
Specially curated student programmes and exclusive Q&As return from the previous edition. The festival is designed to increase access to premieres and previews for London-based viewers, including those for whom French is not their first language, with all events taking place in the newly refurbished Ciné Lumière, one of the country’s top independent cinemas.
The opening night on 18 November presents the gala screening of A Woman’s Life directed by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet and starring Léa Drucker, followed by a Q&A moderated by Samira Ahmed of BBC Front Row. Additional screenings of the film occur on 21 November with a further Q&A.
Further guests include Christophe Honoré presenting Orange Flavoured Wedding starring Adèle Exarchopoulos on 19 November with Q&A, Sophie Marceau appearing in conversation on 20 November to introduce two of her films, Laetitia Masson with the premiere of Ulysse on 21 November alongside a Q&A for To Have (or Not) with Sandrine Kiberlain, Mélisa Godet discussing A Place for Her on 25 November, Charlotte Gainsbourg addressing the premiere of Women on Trial on 26 November, Andrey Zvyagintsev introducing Minotaur on 27 November, Marc Fitoussi presenting the UK premiere of All About Corinne on 30 November, and Léa Mysius with cast members from closing film The Birthday Party on 29 November.
A free exhibition titled Photographers Make Their Own Movies! runs from 18 to 29 November, marking the bicentenary of photography through a study of cinematographers created by students at the internationally renowned ENS Louis-Lumière. The display ties into related screenings during the festival period.
A new partnership with the Cinéma du réel festival adds documentary-focused events. These include Blind Song screened on 28 November with Q&A moderated by Catherine Bizern, Ecofeminisms presented by Janaina Wagner on the same date with Q&A also moderated by Bizern, and a focus on Franco-Lebanese artist and filmmaker Ali Cherri featuring Q&A on 28 November.
The Ciné Lumière at 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT, operates two screens equipped for digital and 35mm projection and forms part of the French Institute in the UK. Founded in 1910, the Institute promotes French language and culture through film screenings, debates, festivals and other public events that together welcome more than 100,000 visitors each year.
