French Film Festival UK: The 33rd Edition
The French Film Festival UK returns for its 33rd edition, continuing its tradition as the country’s premier showcase for French-language cinema.
This year, the festival’s Early Bird Programme is already available, giving film lovers a chance to secure tickets for a selection of standout films before the main programme is announced. The Early Bird Programme features 14 diverse French-language films, carefully curated to reflect the breadth and creativity of Francophone cinema. These titles are available for advance booking directly through the festival, with detailed descriptions and trailers accessible via the Early Bird Leaflet.
To find out more about each film, including synopses, trailers, and screening formats, simply visit the French Film Festival UK website. This early selection is supported by IFCinéma and Film Hub Scotland, ensuring a high standard of quality and a wide range of cinematic experiences.
A cinematic bridge across the Channel
For over three decades, the French Film Festival UK has been a beacon for Francophone cinema in Britain, bringing the best of French-language film to audiences from Edinburgh to London, and everywhere in between. What started as a modest effort in the early 1990s has grown into a major cultural event, uniting film lovers, industry professionals, and even curious newcomers under the spell of French storytelling. Here’s a look at how the festival has evolved, what makes it so special, and why it’s a highlight on the UK’s cultural calendar.
The birth of the festival
The French Film Festival UK was founded in 1992, a year marked by Britain’s presidency of the European Community and a renewed interest in cross-cultural exchange. The festival’s roots are distinctly Scottish: its first screenings took place in Edinburgh, chosen for its strong festival tradition and international outlook. The founders, journalists Richard Mowe and Allan Hunter, were driven by a passion for cinema and a desire to give British audiences access to the rich diversity of French and Francophone film.
From these humble beginnings, the festival quickly expanded. Within a few years, it was touring across the UK, visiting cities like Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, York, and Cambridge. Today, it’s a fixture in the British film landscape, with a reputation for showcasing everything from arthouse classics to contemporary hits, documentaries to animation, and even UK premieres of films that might otherwise never reach British screens
Discover French cinema
At its heart, the French Film Festival UK is about discovery. It’s not just for Francophiles or film buffs, though they’re certainly welcome, but for anyone curious about the world beyond the multiplex. The festival’s programming is deliberately broad, featuring:
- New Releases
Fresh from French cinemas, often making their UK debut. - Classic Revivals
Restored prints and retrospectives of legendary directors. - Documentaries and Animation
Showcasing the full range of Francophone creativity. - Talks and Q&As
With directors, actors, and industry insiders, offering a behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking.
One of the festival’s strengths is its commitment to accessibility. Screenings take place in major cities and smaller towns, ensuring that audiences outside London get a taste of French cinema. The festival also works to engage younger viewers, running educational initiatives and special screenings for schools and universities.
A festival that grows with its audience
Over the years, the French Film Festival UK has adapted to changing tastes and technology. In its early days, it was a rare chance to see foreign films on the big screen. Today, with streaming platforms and international releases more common, the festival has doubled down on the communal experience of cinema, offering curated selections, exclusive premieres, and the chance to meet the people behind the films.
The festival’s leadership has evolved, too. After years of co-directing with Allan Hunter, Richard Mowe now leads the festival, with Ilona Morison as deputy director. Their vision is to keep the festival fresh and relevant, blending established favourites with new voices.
Highlight and memorable moments
Each edition of the festival brings its own highlights. In recent years, audiences have enjoyed restored classics like Pierre Étaix’s 1969 comedy The Great Love, a reminder of France’s long tradition of cinematic innovation. The festival has also championed new talents, with directors and actors often in attendance for Q&As and special events.
The 30th anniversary in 2022 was a landmark, featuring more than 30 films and a special focus on Francophone diversity. For its 31st edition, the festival continued to celebrate the breadth of French-speaking cinema, from France itself to Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and beyond.
Why French cinema matters in the UK
French cinema has a unique place in British cultural life. It’s often seen as a gateway to European film, offering a different perspective on storytelling, performance, and visual style. The French Film Festival UK plays a crucial role in this exchange, introducing British audiences to new directors, actors, and ideas.
The festival also fosters dialogue between filmmakers and audiences, bridging the gap between cultures and encouraging a deeper appreciation of cinema as an art form. For many, it’s a chance to experience the world through frog eyes, whether that means exploring contemporary social issues, historical dramas, or playful comedies.
The future of the French Film Festival UK looks bright. With each passing year, the programme grows more ambitious, the audience more diverse, and the connections between Britain and the Francophone world stronger. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or a curious newcomer, the festival is an invitation to explore, to question, and to be inspired.
So, mark your calendar for the next edition. Book your tickets, gather your friends, and prepare to be swept away by the magic of French cinema. The French Film Festival UK is a celebration of storytelling, community, and the enduring power of film.