Gracie Otto is an Australian filmmaker and actor from the renowned Otto acting family, celebrated for her stylish, character-driven work in films like Seriously Red and television series including Heartbreak High and The Artful Dodger. A dedicated Francophile who has lived in France, speaks some French, and draws deep inspiration from the elegance, audacity, and fearlessness of French filmmaking, she is the 2026 Alliance Française French Film Festival (AF FFF) Patron, viewing it as a vital reconnection to the country and cinema that have shaped her creative path. Ahead, Gracie shares her passion for French cinema in an exclusive interview about the AF FFF 2026 you won’t want to miss.
Gracie, what does it mean to you personally to be the Patron for the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2026?
It’s a great honour – I love being able to shine a light on the diversity of voices in this year’s line-up, especially those of the female directors.
What is your earliest or strongest memory of discovering French cinema or French culture?
In Year 9 we got to choose a language, and we did four different languages – Italian, French, Indonesian and Chinese – for a term and I really loved French. I did French for my HSC, beginners and advanced, and actually got to go to New Caledonia and do a home stay and go to a school for a week and I was always obsessed with being able to communicate with people and trying to meet people overseas. My goal was always to go to Paris straight away and be able to talk to people in French.
Looking at this year’s program, what excites you most about the 2026 lineup, and why?
For me there are so many amazing films like Cédric Klapisch’s Colours Of Time which is opening the Festival. He was literally, and probably still is, my favourite French director. I remember seeing his film The Spanish Apartment when I was younger and just wanting to travel the world and live with a bunch of different people from all different countries. I was always obsessed with making friends from other places and I loved the way he has multiple story lines going on and big groups of characters, so I am really keen to see his latest film. I am obsessed with the French composer Michel Legrand and there is a great documentary on that and I recently watched the documentary series about the L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, so am keen to see Isabelle Huppert take on that character in The Richest Women In The World.
As a director and actor, how has French cinema influenced the way you think about storytelling and character?
I really love how deep and personal French cinema can get. I feel like sometimes as Australians we shy away from having ‘that talk’ or big conversations and the French are very direct and complicated in the best way. I feel like they do family, political and romantic dramas so well and really provide a good insight into the French culture.
Why do you think French films connect so strongly with Australian audiences, year after year?
I’m not exactly sure why but I think we love the humour as well and the tone of French films.
Do you have a favourite French film you love to recommend to people who are new to French cinema, and what makes it special for you?
Definitely Cédric Klapisch – I loved his film Paris – I thought that was so beautiful and The Spanish Apartment. While not set there particularly, I felt it was an amazing launching pad for Romain Duris back in the day.
What do you hope audiences will feel or take away when they walk out of a screening at this year’s festival?
It is about discovering new voices, new cultures, having a good laugh and a good time. There are always films about affairs, catastrophes, and family dynamics. The films always have a way of invigorating you and making you want to go to France!
In which ways has French cinema specifically shaped your own creative voice as a director and actor?
I’m not sure in what show or way I could explain but I think a lot of my earlier works and short films were definitely French influenced through either the music or cinematography style.
As Festival Patron, how do you hope to pass on your personal love of France and French cinema to Australian audiences discovering the festival this year?
I’m really honoured to be l’ambassadrice of this year’s Alliance Française French Film Festival. While everyone has Netflix and access to so many things now, in my pivotal years in high school these were the few weeks that you could go down to Palace cinema and see a bunch of French films. It is such a great bridge between Australian and French culture and I can’t wait for Australian audiences to see this year’s program.
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We thank Gracie Otto for this interview.
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Alliance Française French Film Festival runs from 3 March – 26 April nationally. To view the full program or to secure tickets, visit affrenchfilmfestival.org
KEY INFO FOR ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2026
WHAT: Alliance Française French Film Festival 2026
WHERE & WHEN:
Adelaide, SA: 18 March – 22 April
Venues: Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Ballarat, VIC: 5 Mar – 8 Apr
Venue: Palace Regent Cinema Ballarat
Ballina, NSW: 7 Mar – 2 Apr
Venue: Ballina Fair Cinemas
Bendigo, VIC: 17 Apr – 19 Apr
Venue: Star Cinema
Brisbane, QLD: 5 March – 8 April
Venues: Palace Cinema James Street, Palace Cinema Barracks
Bunbury, WA: 25 Mar – 29 Mar
Venue: Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
Byron Bay, NSW: 6 Mar – 2 Apr
Venue: Palace Byron Bay
Canberra, ACT: 5 March – 8 April
Venue: Palace Electric Cinemas
Darwin, NT: 23 Apr- 26 Apr
Venue: The Deckchair Cinema
Dubbo, NSW: 16 Apr- 19 Apr
Venue: Reading Cinemas Dubbo
Geelong, VIC: 16 Apr – 28 Apr
Venue: The Pivotonian Cinema
Gold Coast, QLD: 19 Mar – 8 Apr
Venue: Dendy Cinemas Southport
Hobart, TAS: 9 Apr- 19 Apr
Venue: State Cinema
Katoomba, NSW: 19 Mar – 29 Mar
Venue: United Cinemas The Edge
Melbourne, VIC: 4 March – 8 April
Venues: Palace Cinema Como, The Kino, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Church St
Perth, WA: 12 March – 15 April
Venues: Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville, Windsor Cinema
Rhodes, NSW: 9 Apr – 19 Apr
Venue: Reading Cinemas Rhodes
Rouse Hill, NSW: 3 Apr – 12 Apr
Venue: Reading Cinemas Rouse Hill
Sydney, NSW: 3 March – 8 April
Venues: Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne,
Roseville Cinemas, Warriewood
Victor Harbour, SA: 25 Mar – 1 Apr
Venue: Victa Cinema
Warrawong, NSW: 3 Apr – 14 Apr
Venue: Gala Twin Cinema
HOW: Purchase your tickets online via the festival website or at the cinemas themselves.
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices vary per city. You may want to buy yourself a film pass for 5, 10 or 20 films if you are planning on seeing several.
