Ten days ago, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) 2025 program was unveiled. Among the hundreds of films featured, a curated selection will be screened in the French language, originating specifically from France and the broader Francophonie. These include a hospital drama, a hand-drawn animated existential modern fable, a surreal story exploring childhood and adolescence, and an immersive piece set within a labyrinth of spaces. Notable highlights include the return of the Belgian Dardenne brothers with a poignant story about underage mothers, the Cannes Queer Palm winner, Jodie Foster’s first French-speaking role, a tribute to Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave, and Michel Gondry’s creative return to two-dimensional adventures designed to entertain his young daughter.
In this article, we explore the French-language films from France and the Francophonie showcased at MIFF 2025. Please note that films by Chantal Akerman are not included here, as they are covered in a separate article about the retrospective.
Director: Laura Wandel
Countries: France, Belgium
Language: French
A harried nurse searches for answers about a malnourished boy in this gripping hospital drama directed by Bright Horizons alum Laura Wandel
Director: Félix Dufour-Laperrière
Country : Canada
Language : French
An existential modern fable told in surreal imagery, this transfixing hand-drawn animation is a vivid treatise on the personal cost of revolution.
SHORT FILM
Director: Jocelyn Charles
Country: France
Language: French
Are you scared of swimming when you can’t see what’s below you? Of Jungian shadow figures? Of The Shining? What about the chance to talk to God?
The Ice Tower/ La Tour de glace
Director: Lucile Hadžihalilović /
Countries: Germany, France
Language: French
Winning a Silver Bear at the 2025 Berlinale, visionary cinematic dreamer Lucile Hadžihalilović’s latest luminous cinematic fairytale is not to be missed.
SHORT FILM
Director: Boris Labbé
Country: France
NO DIALOGUE
Literally meaning “the thread labyrinth”, Ito Meikyu uses 360-degree VR technology to weave together an interconnected compilation of spaces inhabited by figures, plants, animals, art and calligraphy.
The Little Sister/ La petite dernière
Director: Hafsia Herzi
Countries: Germany, France
Language French
This tender coming-out drama blessed with a star-making lead turn won the Queer Palm as well as the Best Actress Award for Nadia Meliti at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Director: Alice Douard
Country: France
Language: French
A married lesbian couple expecting their first child navigates personal and political battles in this warm-hearted ode to queer resilience.
Maya, Give Me a Title/ Maya, Donne-moi un Titre
Director: Michel Gondry
Country: France
Language: French
Michel Gondry returns to his roots with this wildly creative animated omnibus assembling surreal two-dimensional adventures to entertain his young daughter.
Director: Richard Linklater
Countries: USA, France
Languages: English, French
Fresh from its premiere at Cannes, see Richard Linklater’s affectionate recreation of the moment Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave changed cinema forever.
Director: Rebecca Zlotowski
Country: France
Language: French
Jodie Foster delivers a delightful bilingual performance as a neurotic therapist turned amateur sleuth in this slippery thriller that charmed Cannes.
Two People Exchanging Saliva/ Deux Personnes échangeant de la Salive
SHORT FILM
Director: Natalie Musteata, Alexandre Singh
Countries: USA, France
Language : French
In a farcical dystopia where kissing is punishable by death, an illicit romance blossoms between a compulsive shopper and a naïve salesgirl.
SHORT FILM
Director: JR Alice Rohrwacher
Country: France
Language: French
What happens when someone tries to leave the cave?
Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Countries : France, Belgium
Language : French
The Dardenne brothers return to MIFF with this deeply human drama about the struggles and aspirations of five girls living in a home for underage mothers.
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Together, these French-language films from France and the Francophonie at MIFF 2025 offer a rich tapestry of stories that highlight the diversity and creativity of contemporary cinema from France and the Francophonie. From intimate dramas and ground-breaking animation to innovative immersive experiences, the selection not only honours cinematic traditions but also pushes artistic boundaries, promising audiences a compelling and memorable festival experience.
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KEY INFO FOR MIFF 2025
WHAT: Melbourne International Film Festival 2025 (MIFF 2025)
WHERE: Various cinemas in Melbourne
WHEN: 7 to 24 August
HOW: Purchase your tickets to the films via the links above.
HOW MUCH: If you’re planning on seeing more than one film, or even going to one film with a few people, you may find the Multi passes to be good value.
Individual tickets
Full $28
Concession $25.20
Group of 10+ $23.80 each
BlakTix $14
Multipass-3
Full price: $79.80
Concession: $71.90
MIFF Members: $67.90
Multipass-6
Full price: $151.20
Concession: 136.10
MIFF Members $128.60
Multipass-12
Full price: 285.60
Concession: $257.10
MIFF Members $242.80
Festival Passport
A single ticket to every standard session at MIFF 2025. It’s available exclusively as part of a Deluxe Membership. A Deluxe Membership costs $650.
