The Alliance Française French Film Festival is making its grand return from 4 March to 16 April 2025! Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic journey featuring a spectacular selection of French films — from comedy, romance, and drama to thrilling adventures.

Widow Clicquot is based on the true story behind the Veuve Clicquot champagne family and business that began in the late 18th century. After her husband's untimely death, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot flouts convention by assuming the reins of the fledgling wine business they had nurtured together. Steering the company through dizzying political and financial reversals, she defies her critics and revolutionizes the champagne industry to become one of the world's first great entrepreneurs.

Oscar winner Nicole Kidman delivers a tour de force performance in Halina Reijn’s (Bodies Bodies Bodies) bold, provocative and sexually charged erotic thriller, BABYGIRL, a Venice Film Festival standout lauded for its audacious exploration of power and desire. Co-starring Harris Dickinson, best known for his work in Triangle of Sadness, this A24 film pairs two magnetic leads in a smouldering illicit affair that blurs professional and personal boundaries. Kidman stars as a high-powered CEO whose seemingly perfect family life begins to unravel when she embarks on a risky secret relationship with her charismatic younger intern (Dickinson). As passions ignite, the film delves into the nuances of sexual desire, modern power dynamics, and the consequences of blurred (but consensual) boundaries, delivering a visceral experience layered with emotional intensity and tension-filled drama. Sharply observed through a female lens and with a contemporary soundtrack, Babygirl flips traditional gender roles in Reijn’s edgy risqué feature. An ultimately hopeful – and, at times, darkly funny - investigation of raw female desire, the Dutch writer/director approaches this tale of seduction with empathy and candour, all while being genuinely erotic and unpredictable.

Oscar-winning filmmaker James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari, Walk the Line) brings to life the enigmatic story of Bob Dylan in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, a star-studded biographical drama that explores the transformative early years of the legendary singer-songwriter. Anchored by a career defining performance from Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, the film captures the revolutionary spirit of the 1960s and the birth of one of music’s most iconic voices. Set against the backdrop of the American folk revival, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN follows Dylan’s meteoric rise from his humble beginnings in Minnesota to his pivotal arrival in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The film delves into Dylan’s artistic evolution, the relationships that shaped his identity, and the moments of creative brilliance that defined a generation. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast, including Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, the film is as much about the cultural revolution as it is about Dylan himself. Mangold’s meticulous direction and an electrifying soundtrack bring this pivotal era to vivid life, offering a rare glimpse into the complexities of fame, artistry, and reinvention. Both intimate and epic in scope, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is an unmissable tribute to a musical icon and the extraordinary times that shaped him.

The pope is dead. The throne is vacant. From director Edward Berger, CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events -- selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church.

With 7 Golden Globe nominations, THE BRUTALIST is already being crowned by critics as the cinema masterpiece of the year; a colossal achievement, balancing intimacy and scale at every level of craft. From acclaimed American writer-director Brady Corbet comes A24’s highly anticipated epic historical drama, THE BRUTALIST, featuring an awe-inspiring A-List cast including Oscar winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist), Oscar nominee Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Emmy Award winner Guy Pearce (Memento) and Cannes Film Festival winner Joe Alwyn (Kinds of Kindness). Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth (Brody) arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet (Jones) after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Pearce) recognises his talent for building. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost… Recipient of the prestigious Silver Lion Award for Corbet's marvellous direction at the 2024 Venice Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture, this structurally beautiful and grandiose epic is suffused with Adrien Brody's soulful performance. With ambitious scope and a profound exploration of historical and personal themes - and shot on rarely seen 70mm film stock - Corbet's THE BRUTALIST is a towering tribute to the immigrant experience.

Academy Award nominee Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers) delivers an unflinching and seductive adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ groundbreaking novella in QUEER, a provocative exploration of longing, identity, and self-destruction. Starring Daniel Craig in a career-defining performance racking up awards attention, this evocative period drama is a searing portrait of alienation and desire. Set in the vibrant yet volatile expat underworld of 1950s Mexico City, Craig stars as Lee, a disillusioned American grappling with his identity. Seeking solace in a haze of drugs and alcohol, Lee becomes infatuated with Eugene Allerton, a younger, enigmatic man who is both the object of his obsession and a mirror of his own fractured psyche. As their tenuous connection spirals into a tangled web of dependence and rejection, the film delves deeply into the complexities of desire, self-loathing, and the human need for connection. With Guadagnino’s signature visual flair and a brilliant score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, QUEER captures the raw vulnerability of Burroughs’ prose while expanding it into a lush cinematic experience. A fearless and unrelenting look at the destructive power of love and the search for meaning in a world on the fringes, QUEER is both a gripping character study and a timeless reflection on the universal longing to be seen.

"September 5" unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American Sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage. Through this lens, "September 5" provides a fresh perspective on the live broadcast seen globally by an estimated one billion people at the time. At the heart of the story is Geoff (John Magaro), a young and ambitious producer striving to prove himself to his boss, the legendary TV executive Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard). Together with German interpreter Marianne (Leonie Benesch) and his mentor Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Geoff unexpectedly takes the helm of the live coverage. As narratives shift, time ticks away, and conflicting rumors spread, with the hostages' lives hanging in the balance, Geoff grapples with tough decisions while confronting his own moral compass.

From Pablo Larraín, director of SPENCER and JACKIE, comes MARIA starring Angelina Jolie as the world's greatest female opera singer, Maria Callas. Angelina Jolie unveils new highs within her emotional register in Pablo Larraín's Maria, the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris.

From visionary director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Contagion), PRESENCE is the new horror shot entirely from a first-person perspective of a haunting spirit. Featuring terrific performances from Lucy Liu (Kill Bill: Vol 1), Julia Fox (Uncut Gems), Callina Liang (Bad Genius) and Chris Sullivan (Stranger Things), PRESENCE follows a family who become convinced they are not alone after moving into their new home in the suburbs.

With stunningly nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this cleverly structured romance, directed by John Crowley and penned by screenwriter Nick Payne, delves into the profound question of how to make the most of the time we have in this world. From their very first encounter, Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield) have experienced anything but an ordinary relationship. When Almut faces a life-altering medical diagnosis, with treatment options that may or may not be effective. Should she risk spending precious time on treatments, or embrace what remains of her life to the fullest? WE LIVE IN TIME unfolds across three distinct timelines, offering a layered experience of their relationship that deepens our understanding of how memories intersect with the present and how life’s meaning builds through shared moments. Bringing this intricately crafted story to life, Pugh captivates as a young woman striving to balance her personal connections with her ambitious career, while Garfield delivers a career-defining performance, using Tobias' quiet demeanour to reveal an underlying depth of emotion.

Sink your teeth into acclaimed director Robert Eggers’ (The Lighthouse, The Northman) transfixing retelling of a timeless classic. NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman in 19th century Germany and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. The fantastical horror's bloody excellent cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp, Emma Corrin, Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Find someone made just for you in Drew Hancock’s (My Dead Ex, Suburgatory) perfectly perverse love story from hell, COMPANION. New Line Cinema, the studio that brought you The Notebook, and the unhinged creators of Barbarian cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love story… It’s M3GAN meets Ex Machina in this sci-fi psychological thriller where a billionaire's death sets off a chain of bloody events for Iris, a subservient android built for human companionship, during a weekend trip to a lakeside estate with his eclectic group of friends. The electric feature stars rising scream queen Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, The Boogeyman) fresh off a buzzy performance in A24's acclaimed Hugh Grant-horror, Heretic, and The Boys' Jack Quaid at the centre of the weekend getaway turned bloody and violent. It’s freaky fun horror at its best, featuring a stellar supporting cast including Lukas Gage (Smile 2, The White Lotus), Megan Suri (Never Have I Ever, It Lives Inside), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows, Blue Beetle) and Rupert Friend (High Desert, Asteroid City).

From renegade auteur Jacques Audiard comes Emilia Pérez, an audacious fever dream that defies genres and expectations. Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness. The fearsome cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to help fake her death so that Emilia can finally live authentically as her true self. Winning the Jury Prize Award & Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival 2024, Emilia Pérez in a swaggering musical crime thriller of genre-bending fascination that is also an unapologetically trans story.

Get ready for the journey of a lifetime as PADDINGTON IN PERU brings the world’s most beloved bear back to his roots, his homeland Peru. Following the adventures of PADDINGTON and PADDINGTON 2, Paddington is still living happily with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens. When he receives a letter from the Reverend Mother, the blithe guitar strumming nun who runs the Home for Retired Bears, informing him that Aunt Lucy misses him dearly, he knows he simply must visit her as soon as possible. With his shiny new British passport in hand, Paddington is joined by the Browns, including the ever-resourceful Mrs. Bird, on an epic journey that none of them will ever forget. Along the way the group meet new friends, including the dashing riverboat captain Hunter and his daughter Gina. They join them on their thrilling escapades through the Amazon rainforest and up to the stunning mountain peaks of Peru. Together they encounter unexpected challenges, and Paddington begins to uncover surprising secrets about his past. Throughout the ups and downs, his unwavering optimism and kindness shine brightly in this brand-new Paddington cinematic adventure that reinforces the importance of family, and the joy of embracing one's heritage. PADDINGTON IN PERU is the debut feature from director Dougal Wilson and is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children's stories by British author Michael Bond.

Winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, acclaimed director Sean Baker’s new film follows Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, who gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. ANORA is a dark comedy reminiscent of Baker’s previous, successful films that blend sharp social commentary with compelling character studies. The highly entertaining arthouse gem captures the audacious journey of a Brooklyn sex worker thrust into a whirlwind Cinderella story turned darkly comedic nightmare. With Baker's signature style, Anora is both a poignant and irreverent exploration of societal contrasts, cultural clashes, and personal resilience.

In his impressive second feature directorial endeavour, writer/director Jesse Eisenberg delivers equal parts gut-punching drama and whip-smart comedy with an award-winning screenplay that exudes humanity as it explores complicated familial relationships beset by intergenerational trauma. Clever, funny and profoundly moving, this Sundance Film Festival award winning dramedy follows two mismatched cousins, David (Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Emmy and Golden Globe winner Kieran Culkin), who reunite for a tour through Poland to honour their deceased grandmother and reconnect with their heritage. Their adventure takes a turn when the duo’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family and World War II history. Culkin dazzles in a career-best performance while co-starring alongside Eisenberg. The highly acclaimed actors make for a superb team, demonstrating deep empathy and understanding with mesmerising depictions of a wide range of complex emotions as the cousins grapple with the ways their lives have diverged while also trying to reconnect. While Benji’s irreverent charm only partially masks his deep inner melancholy, David’s frustration with and genuine love for his cousin is palpable. Lauded by critics with an outstanding rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, and with a tonally perfect classical score, A REAL PAIN blends an odd-couple buddy road trip with an, at times, uncomfortable yet relatable family drama that sensitively taps into the pain still felt by family of Holocaust survivors.

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

After captivating children and families for 30 years, Alison Lester’s beloved book MAGIC BEACH has been brought to life on screen by director Robert Connolly (Paper Planes) and some of Australia’s leading animators. Take a trip with the ones you love through a unique mix of live action, entwined with extraordinary animated adventures that bring you to a dreamy seaside world where anything is possible. Featuring timeless characters, MAGIC BEACH is a captivating blend of reality and fantasy that inspires people of all ages to feel the sand beneath their toes and find wonder in the world around them.

Discover an extraordinary journey that can’t be told in an ordinary way. Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring. BETTER MAN is directed by Michael Gracey and stars Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvany, Anthony Hayes, Steve Pemberton, and Alison Steadman.

Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet. Director Jeff Fowler returns along with our all-star cast including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.

Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe. The film features an all-star roster of talent, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Blending liveaction filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen. Featuring songs by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Mufasa: The Lion King” opens only in theaters on Dec. 19, 2024.

Featuring the voices of Auli‘i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical MOANA 2 takes audiences back to the ocean on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. With music composed by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, MOANA 2 promises to deliver a soundtrack of unforgettable new songs that are sure to become instant Disney classics.

The light, the lives, and the textures of contemporary, working-class Mumbai are explored and celebrated by writer/director Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival for her revelatory fiction feature debut. Centering on two roommates who also work together in a city hospital--head nurse Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and recent hire Anu (Divya Prabha)--plus their coworker, cook Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam), Kapadia's film alights on moments of connection and heartache, hope and disappointment. Prabha, her husband from an arranged marriage living in faraway Germany, is courted by a doctor at her hospital; Anu carries on a romance with a Muslim man, which she must keep a secret from her strict Hindu family; Parvaty finds herself dealing with a sudden eviction from her apartment. Kapadia captures the bustle of the metropolis and the open-air tranquility of a seaside village with equal radiance, articulated by her superb actresses and by the camera with a lyrical naturalism that occasionally drifts into dreamlike incandescence. Boasting a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, All We Imagine as Light is a soulful study of the transformative power of friendship and sisterhood, in all its complexities and richness.

Oscar winner Kate Winslet stars in this fascinating portrait of the great American war correspondent Lee Miller, whose singular talent and ferocious tenacity gave us some of the 20th century’s most indelible images. A former model, Lee is now tired of being viewed through a lens and by men, and focusses on her own work as a photographer. As the threat of war looms, everything about their daily lives changes completely, almost overnight. Frustrated by the restrictions placed on female photographers at the time, who are limited to documenting life on the home front, Miller urges her female boss at British Vogue, to request permission for Lee to go to the frontline. With a profound understanding and empathy for women and for the voiceless victims of atrocious crimes, her images feature both the fragility and ferocity of the human ability to survive, exist, fight, defend and live. Directed by award winning cinematographer Ellen Kuras, and featuring superb supporting performances from Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg and Alex Skarsgard, the film is a vivid reminder of the bold women who fought to penetrate male-dominated spaces — making great sacrifices and ultimately changing the way we see the world.

The story is a classic tale of love and adventure as the beautiful maiden Buttercup (Robin Wright) hears that her true love Westley (Cary Elwes) is dead, she reluctantly agrees to marry the loathsome Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). After Westley returns to rescue Buttercup, the two begin an epic adventure filled with fencing, fighting, giants, monsters, miracles, true love and hilarity! Based on the William Goldman novel "The Princess Bride" which earned its own loyal audience.

John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save his wife Holly Gennaro and several others that were taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.

Detectives Somerset and Mills, one a seasoned cop, the other a relatively new one, are paired up to solve murders. Together they attempt to find a killer who is inspired by the seven deadly sins.

Experience all the legendary live-action Spider-Man™ movies on the big screen – again or for the first time! In celebration of Columbia Pictures 100th anniversary, all eight live-action Spider-Man™ films will be swinging back into cinemas for one week each throughout January & February. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine -- distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.

BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN explores the origins of this iconic group and their meteoric rise in just one year against all the odds. Powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances and music, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. The film is told in Led Zeppelin’s own words and is the first officially sanctioned film on the group.