Adelaide Film Festival 2026 starts in less than three weeks. Over a series of articles, we are exploring the festival’s French connections, including films solely in French, films where French is just one of the languages, French co-productions, and films with story links to France and the French-speaking world. In this second article, we’re focusing on the films where French is but one of several languages spoken and a film which has a link to the Francophonie.
Among these films, there is the Franco-Japanese production, which won both leads Best Actress awards at Cannes Film Festival 2026 and the Belgian production, which saw both male leads win the Best Actor prize at Cannes Film Festival 2026.
Among the stories covered in these films where French is just one of the languages: a philosopher searches for a device built in Italy in the 1950s that can apparently allow its user to see into the past; German author Thomas Mann returns to Germany from exile in America in 1948; and hunky truckers whose hot and heavy hook-up in a roadside beat leads to unexpected depths. Plus, there’s a documentary about game-changing artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, friend of Madonna, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, who blazed an indelible trail before joining the infamous 27 Club.
Discover all of these films below.
ADELAIDE FILM FESTIVAL – MULTILINGUAL FILMS WHERE FRENCH IS ONE OF THE LANGUAGES
Director: Ryūsuke Hamaguchi
Countries: France, Japan, Germany & Belgium
Languages: French and Japanese
Oscar-winning director Ryūsuke Hamaguchi returns with a luminous drama set in France, where Marie-Lou (Virginie Efira), the director of a care home, forms an unexpected friendship with Mari (Tao Okamoto), a terminally ill Japanese theatre director far from home. Together, they discover new ways of caring, connecting and living.
Directors: Jack Auen and Kevin Walker
Country: United States
Languages: English, French, German and Italian
In this Borgesian academia-noir, hyper-literate philosopher Béatrice becomes absorbed in a search for the “chronovisor,” a device built in Italy in the 1950s that can – so it’s said – allow its user to see into the past.
Director: Lukas Dhont
Countries: Belgium, France, Netherlands
Languages: Dutch and French
All queer on the Western Front, Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne are electric in this sensuously shot, achingly tender World War 1 drama from Close (2022) director Lukas Dhont. Rightly sharing the Best Actor award at Cannes, you’ll fall in step with these beautiful, longing soldiers.
Director: Paweł Pawlikowski
Countries: Poland, Germany, Italy, France
Languages: German, French, English and Russian
A luminous exploration of one of Germany’s greatest authors captured in a brief vignette – Thomas Mann’s 1948 return to Germany from exile in America. His much-anticipated pronouncement on what should be the prevailing principles for the now divided Germany is contrasted to the relationship with his despairing son, Karl. As the daughter of Mann and sister of Karl, Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) is magnificent – as is all the cast.
Director: Pierre Le Gall
Country: France & Poland
Language: English, French & Polish
Hit the road with hunky truckers whose hot and heavy hook-up in a roadside beat leads to unexpected depths. Pierre Le Gall’s haunting debut feature is a luminous insight into life, lust and love all played out in a cramped truck cabin. Winner of the inaugural Queer Palm Revelation award at Cannes.
FILMS RELATED TO FRANCE AND THE FRANCOPHONIE
Directors: Quinn Whitney Wilson & Viridiana Lieberman
Country: United States
Language: English
Burn bright enough and you’ll be remembered forever, no matter how tragically short your life is cut. Such was the fate of game-changing artist Jean-Michel Basquiat – friend of Madonna, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Keith Haring and Andy Warhol – who blazed an indelible trail before joining the infamous 27 Club. But when legend envelops your legacy, with Basquiat’s brilliantly bold works going for as much as US$110 million, the truth can get lost. Viridiana Lieberman and Quinn Whitney Wilson’s iridescent documentary sets the record straight.
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KEY INFO FOR ADELAIDE FILM FESTIVAL 2026
WHAT: Adelaide Film Festival 2026
WHEN: 14-25 October 2026
WHERE: Various cinemas in Adelaide
HOW: Purchase your tickets via the links above. Or, if you want to see multiple films, or there are several of you going to any one film, you may wish to purchase a Film Pass.
HOW MUCH:
Individual ticket prices are as follows:
Standard Screenings (exclusive of booking fee):
- Adult $25
- Concession $20
Saturday Night Party (exclusive of booking fee)
- $74 Full Price
- $64 Concession
Film Pass pricing (exclusive of booking fee):
3 Film Pass – $59 Full Price, $49 Concession
Valid for 3 standard screenings, or can be used for up to 3 tickets for a single session.
5 Film Pass – $95 Full Price. $79 Concession
This pass is valid for 5 standard screenings. Book up to 3 tickets per session.
10 Film Pass – $175 Full Price, $145 Concession
This pass is valid for 10 standard screenings. Book up to 4 tickets per session
Gold Pass $299 Full Price, $255 Concession.
1 ticket to all standard screenings, standby priority and an official AFF Lanyard
NOTE: You still need to book your spot in each session you wish to attend – the pass alone does not guarantee a seat
Platinum Pass $599 Full Price, $525 Concession.
The blockbuster of passes!
1 ticket to all standard screenings and galas, select party and event invitations, standby priority, concierge booking service, and an official AFF lanyard.
Pass benefits are non-transferable and tickets must be booked to guarantee a seat.
OTHER TICKET OPTIONS
Pay what you can – students, Centrelink Health Care and Pension card holders
Equity ticketing is available for weekday sessions before 4pm. You can purchase them in the app or online and simply pay how much you choose to.
AFF Rushes
$10 tickets will be released at midday every day of the festival on the AFF app.
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