Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025 will be the 36th AF FFF, and the first programmed by new CEO Frédéric Alliod. The full program will be revealed in just 4 weeks but we can let you know 8 of the films that will be screening right now!
The 2025 program showcases a vibrant and diverse array of films celebrating French cinema’s richness, highlighting stories of resilience, passion, and artistry. This year’s program features films from both acclaimed and emerging directors, with a strong emphasis on compelling narratives brought to life by some of French cinema’s brightest stars.
Women directors take the spotlight in several standout films, contributing fresh perspectives and unique storytelling approaches. From intimate biographical dramas to heartwarming comedies, these works offer a nuanced exploration of human connections, ambition, and identity.
Renowned actors such as Tahar Rahim, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Charlotte Gainsbourg, deliver powerhouse performances, while rising stars like Camille Razat bring a new dynamism to the screen. The festival’s films traverse a wide emotional and thematic spectrum—from the glamour of France’s cultural icons to deeply personal tales of love, family, and self-discovery.
A strong sense of music and performance runs through the program, with stories set against the worlds of music, orchestral conducting, theatre and even competitive cooking in the program. These films underscore the transformative power of art and the tenacity required to achieve greatness.
EVEN MORE LOCATIONS IN 2025
The Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025 will be screened in five new locations: Darwin, Ballina, Ballarat, Warriewood and Warrawong.
THE FIRST FILMS OF THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2025
Monsieur Aznavour will open the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025. Timely as 2024 celebrated the centenary of Charles Aznavour’s birth. Just as Marion Cotillard was to La Vie en Rose, Golden Globe-nominated actor Tahar Rahim is to Monsieur Aznavour, transforming into the iconic singer-songwriter for this lavishly entertaining rise-to-stardom biography of the man who beat all odds to not only become one of France’s best-loved entertainers but personified French culture to the English-speaking world.
Save these dates for the opening night:
Sydney: 4th March,
Melbourne: 5th March,
Brisbane and Canberra: 6th March,
Perth: 13th March,
Adelaide: 19th March
The Count of Monte Cristo is the long-awaited remake of the beloved film. Pierre Niney stars in the first French adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ tale in over 50 years, directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière. Set in 1815 Marseille, the story follows young sailor Edmond Dantès, whose promising future with his beloved Mercédès (Anaïs Demoustier) is destroyed when jealous rivals falsely imprison him. Years later, armed with knowledge of hidden treasure from a fellow inmate, Dantès orchestrates an elaborate plan for revenge against those who wronged him.
In Gilles Lellouche’s sweeping romantic drama Beating Hearts, French stars Adèle Exarchopoulos and François Civil portray Jackie and Clotaire, whose intense teenage romance in 1980s Northern France is cut short by tragedy despite their powerful connection across social divides. Ten years later, Clotaire attempts to rekindle their love, with the story unfolding through vibrant period design and a dynamic soundtrack that echoes American indie films of the era. This crowd-pleasing hit, which drew nearly 5 million viewers in France, showcases two of French cinema’s most compelling young talents in a moving tale of love, loss, and second chances.
NOTE: SOME CITIES WILL GET A SPECIAL FESTIVAL PREVIEW OF THIS FILM FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
In Manon Briand’s heartwarming comedy “All Stirred Up,” Julie Le Breton plays Sonia, a stern customs officer who confiscates French chef Victor’s (Édouard Baer) knives and ingredients at the Quebec-US border. When her bullied daughter Lili-Beth enters a Mini Chefs competition as an underdog, Sonia must seek help from the very chef she earlier confronted, setting up a charming story filled with laughs, beautiful Canadian scenery, and mouthwatering dishes.
Emmanuel Courcol, director of the award-winning The Big Hit, returns with My Brother’s Band, a heartwarming tale of two long-lost brothers: Thibaut (Benjamin Lavernhe), a successful orchestra conductor, and Jimmy (Pierre Lottin), a cafeteria worker and amateur trombonist. When a DNA test reveals their connection, Thibaut resolves to help cultivate his newly discovered brother’s musical talent, bridging their different worlds through their shared passion for performance.
Prodigies is a gripping French drama reminiscent of Whiplash, in which Camille Razat stars as Claire, one of twin pianists whose lifelong pursuit of musical perfection is dramatically upended by an unexpected medical crisis. Trained ruthlessly by their father and subsequently challenged by the demanding Professor Klaus Lenhardt, Claire and her sister Jeanne (Mélanie Robert) discover that their most profound battle lies not in mastering complex musical compositions, but in confronting their own fierce sibling rivalry and an aggressive, incurable illness. As their dreams of becoming prodigies hang in the balance, the twins must decide whether to surrender to their circumstances or defiantly push beyond their physical and emotional limits, transforming their personal tragedy into a testament of extraordinary human resilience.
In Guillaume Nicloux’s lavish biopic The Divine Sarah Bernhardt, Sandrine Kiberlain (November) embodies Sarah Bernhardt, the world’s first celebrity actress, whose larger-than-life persona earned her the nickname “La Divine.” The film captures her tumultuous journey through fame, featuring everything from theatrical triumphs and scandalous love affairs to extravagant wealth and exotic menageries, all presented with the dramatic flair befitting this legendary diva.
In Yann Samuell’s heartfelt dramedy Meet the Leroys, Charlotte Gainsbourg stars as Sandrine Leroy, a deeply unhappy wife whose decision to divorce blindsides her husband Christophe (José Garcia). In a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, Christophe proposes a nostalgic family road trip with their children, promising to accept the separation if the weekend doesn’t rekindle their lost connection.
And there you have it! The first 8 films for the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025 have been revealed. Just 4 more weeks until the full program reveal which we will also let you know all about.
KEY INFO FOR ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2025
WHAT: Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025
WHERE & WHEN:
Adelaide, SA: 19 March – 23 April Venues: Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Brisbane, QLD: 6 March – 8 April Venues: Palace Cinema James Street, Palace Cinema Barracks
Canberra, ACT: 6 March – 9 April Venue: Palace Electric Cinemas
Melbourne, VIC: 5 March – 9 April Venues: Palace Cinema Como, The Kino, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema,The Astor Theatre, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Regent Ballarat
Perth, WA: 13 March – 16 April Venues: Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville, Windsor Cinema
Sydney, NSW: 4 March – 9 April Venues: Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Moore Park, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, Roseville Cinemas, Warriewood
HOW: The full Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025 program will be announced and tickets will be available on Wednesday 5 February 2025. In the meantime, subscribe for notifications from the official website.
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Read our interviews with past festival directors
We chat to Karine Mauris, Artistic Director of the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024
Karine Mauris talks cinema and the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2021
Philippe Platel, AFFFF Artistic Director speaks French cinema and French culture in Australia
The 2025 trailer has also been released! View it below.
