New Orleans Film Society Announces the 29th French Film Festival Schedule

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) announced highlights for the 29th New Orleans French Film Festival, the nation’s longest-running foreign film festival celebrating contemporary and classic Francophone. The six-day festival returns to the Prytania Theatre and additional venues across New Orleans, March 19 – 24, inviting locals and visitors to enjoy an immersive festival experience with Francophone cinema, culture, and community. Select films are also available to stream virtually from March 19 – 29.

“The French Film Festival has always been international at its core. While it celebrates cinema from France, it also embraces films from French-speaking countries around the world (of which there are more than two dozen globally) reflecting the true breadth and diversity of the Francophone experience,” said Executive Director Dodd Loomis. “Now in its 29th year, the French Film Festival represents nearly three decades of a beloved tradition in New Orleans, a tradition rooted deeply in partnership with the historic Prytania Theatre Uptown. The festival is a mirror of this city; culturally sophisticated, joyful, and expansive, and it embodies what the New Orleans Film Society is all about: creating shared experiences that use film as a communal art form. While the festival is a powerful expression of that vision, these are the ideas we pursue year-round through our programming, partnerships, and events at NOFS.”

Festival Highlights:

This year’s French Film Festival features a dynamic mix of screenings, signature events and cultural celebrations, including the opening night film “Colours of Time;” the Patron Party at The Columns Hotel; Café & Croissants presented by L’Union Française; the French Music Festival: Zydeco to Electro at Alliance Française; the CinéSuisse Salon celebrating Switzerland as the festival’s first-ever guest country; and REEL Futures Day, a one-of-a-kind workforce development initiative connecting high school and college students with real, accessible career pathways in Louisiana’s film and entertainment industry, hosted at Loyola University.

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For the full lineup, schedule, and to purchase festival passes or individual tickets, visit //neworleansfilmsociety.org/french-film-festival.

“New Orleans has an undeniable connection to French language and culture and having the longest-running French Film festival in the country is part of that relationship,” said Board President Doug Spearman. “What I’m proud of is that we amplify French language stories from Louisiana and all over the globe. So, whether you love Zydeco or want a sweeping biopic about Chopin, there is something here for everyone.”

French Film Festival Presented by MUBI

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The New Orleans Film Society is excited to announce the French Film Festival presenting partnership between MUBI. This partnership embodies the core identity of the festival, international, community-centered, and deeply committed to cinema that is meaningful, boundary-pushing, and culturally resonant.

Switzerland Named First-ever Guest Country

In 2026, the French Film Festival announced Switzerland as the festival’s first-ever guest country. Long a vital voice in both contemporary and classic Francophone cinema, Switzerland has made enduring contributions to the global film landscape. The New Orleans Film Society is honored to spotlight Swiss film and culture in celebration with our audiences.

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As Guest Country, Switzerland will co-host both the Opening Night Patron Party and the CinéSuisse Salon, with the Swiss Consulate General in attendance to mark this historic collaboration.

19 Films from 6 Countries

This year, the festival brings together 13 features alongside six short films, presented in French, Kouri-Vini (Louisiana Creole French), Polish, Arabic, Russian, German and Latin with English subtitles, from Belgium, Canada, France, Senegal, Switzerland, and the USA.

“We love a lineup that feels alive, and this year’s program really does. From first-time filmmakers making bold, personal work to timeless films by the late, great Jean Cocteau, the festival creates a conversation across generations,” NOFS Artistic Director Clint Bowie. “It’s a chance to see how adventurous French-language cinema has always been, and how that spirit continues today.”

Opening Night Film

Director Cédric Klapisch’s “Colours of Time,” winner of the Audience Award at the American French Film Festival, will open the 26th French Film Festival on March 19. Klapisch’s latest comedy is a joyful, soul-stirring journey through time, at moments playful, at moments dreamlike, crafted especially for lovers of the arts.

Parties

The French Film Festival returns in 2026 with an expanded series of elevated soirées for All Access Pass holders, Sponsor Partners, and NOFS Circle Members. Festivities begin Thursday evening with the Patron Party, held on the iconic front porch of The Columns Hotel overlooking St. Charles Avenue, immediately preceding the opening night film, “Colours of Time.” Co-hosted by this year’s guest country, Switzerland, the evening will feature light refreshments, cocktails, and francophone-inspired entertainment, along with welcoming remarks from the Swiss Consulate General, NOFS’ Executive Director, and NOFS’ Board President.

The New Orleans French Film Festival and Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans will partner to present a special International Day of La Francophonie celebration on March 20, honoring the French language and the diverse cultures of the Francophone world through an evening of live music and film. Observed globally each year, La Francophonie Day recognizes the richness and reach of French-speaking communities across continents, and this collaboration brings that spirit home to Louisiana with performances by l’Union Créole led by Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the genre-blending Elektrianz with Juan Pardo. Presented in conjunction with the 29th New Orleans French Film Festival, the evening will also include a screening of “Built on Zydeco,” a Creole-directed documentary celebrating the artists, legacy, and cultural impact of Zydeco, creating a singular cultural moment that bridges cinema and live performance while elevating the enduring ties between Louisiana and the global Francophone community.

“Francophonie lives through sound and image,” said Alliance Française Executive Director Alan Nobili. “On March 20, we honor the global French-speaking community not only through music rooted in Louisiana’s Creole heritage, but also through cinema that documents and amplifies those voices. Film and music together tell our story — local, international, and deeply alive.”

Saturday morning continues a beloved tradition with Café & Croissants, hosted by L’Union Française at 10 a.m. A convivial gathering of French pastries, coffee, and community, this event serves as a delightful prelude to the member matinee screening of “Leave One Day.”

Saturday night will feature the CinéSuisse Salon, an evening celebrating the festival’s guest country, Switzerland at an elegant Fontainebleau neighborhood residence. Guests will enjoy a beautiful courtyard and patio setting for mingling before settling into a relaxed yet refined celebration inspired by Swiss culture, cinematic artistry, and the spirit of international exchange.

As part of REEL Futures All Colleges Day, MUBI will host the Stay REEL Soirée prior to the student screening of Dahomey. The event will include light refreshments, a DJ, and an opportunity for students pursuing careers in film to connect with peers and industry professionals.

The First-ever French Film Festival Conference
The festival’s screenings and receptions will be complemented by a dynamic slate of panels and conversations designed to deepen and expand the cinematic experience. Highlights include a multimedia presentation on New Orleans–born Black composer Edmond Dédé (1827-1901) by filmmaker and researcher Marguerite de Bourgoing, as well as a talk by scholar Chloë Cassens examining the life and artistic legacy of visionary French filmmaker Jean Cocteau (whose films Beauty and the Beast and Orpheus will be presented at the festival). Additional conference-related programming will be announced closer to the festival.

REEL Futures Day

REEL Futures Day is a one-of-a-kind workforce development initiative within the New Orleans Film Society designed to connect high school and college students with real, accessible career pathways in Louisiana’s film and entertainment industry. REEL Futures Day kicked off at the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival and reached over 1,000 students in person, with additional impact through digital programming.

Building on its successful launch, REEL Futures Day will officially join the New Orleans French Film Festival lineup on March 23. Hosted by Loyola University and presented by MUBI, the program will welcome students from across the Greater New Orleans area, including Xavier University of Louisiana, Dillard University, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans, and Southern University at New Orleans, along with the general public. REEL Futures Day will connect participants with industry veterans, offering direct insight into real-world careers in film and entertainment.

Student-focused programming allows NOFS to engage and support the next generation of cinephiles, filmmakers, and media scholars with screenings, workshops, and focused activities. The day’s events will take place at Loyola University beginning at 10 am, starting with an exploration of the work of Jean Cocteau through discussion and exhibition. Film Louisiana will join to educate emerging filmmakers on entrepreneurship and creative autonomy. The afternoon will culminate in a celebration and screening of Mati Diop’s documentary Dahomey with music and discussion.

“REEL Futures is such a unique opportunity to share the beauty of Cinema with our students,” Camille Debose, professor of Practice Film at Loyola University, NOFS board member, and French Film Festival committee member. “It’s also a great opportunity for us to pull back the curtain on the “nuts and bolts” of cinematic production and distribution. We want them to understand Cinema as it was, is, and all it could be as they find ways to make their visions real.”

As part of ‘REEL Futures’, college students will engage in a focused 90-minute session on “Solopreneurship” led by Jason Waggenspack , President of Film Louisiana. Designed for emerging filmmakers entering a rapidly changing industry, the session reframes the creator not only as an artist but as the CEO of their own creative enterprise. Participants will explore how sustainable careers are built by pairing creative vision with intentional business structure, understanding that film is not only an art form but also a marketplace driven by strategy, ownership, and audience development. They don’t call it “Show Business” for nothing!

Through practical guidance and real world case studies, Waggenspack and a star-studded list of invited industry guests will walk students through the foundational steps of launching a film business, including forming an LLC, protecting artist equity, building a marketing presence during production rather than after completion, and much more. The session emphasizes proactive career design, empowering students to treat each project as both a creative work and a growing company, equipping them with the tools to generate opportunity instead of waiting for it.

“Film Louisiana exists to strengthen and advance our state’s film and entertainment industry,” said Waggenspack. “That starts with people. Investing in emerging filmmakers is essential to sustaining Louisiana’s creative economy. REEL Futures Day reflects the kind of forward-thinking programming that helps young creatives see a future for themselves in this industry. We’re proud to support this effort alongside the New Orleans Film Society and the French Film Festival.”

Louisiana French Represented

Built on Zydeco, a documentary feature from Louisiana filmmakers Milton Arceneaux and Dustin Cravins and co-produced by Robert Chevalier, brings the pulse of Creole culture to this year’s French Film Festival. A recipient of the 2025 #CreateLouisiana French Culture Film Grant, the film is rooted in Louisiana French and Kouri-Vini and honors Zydeco music as a living tradition that continues to shape the state’s cultural identity and tourism economy. 2026 is the eighth year that the French Film Festival has featured a film sponsored by this grant.

Filmed in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, internationally recognized as the capital of Zydeco, Built on Zydeco spotlights the Creole musicians whose language, rhythm, and spirit have influenced generations. The film features legendary artists Keith Frank, Terrance Simien, and Reginald “Buckwheat Jr.” Dural, alongside a dynamic community of musicians, dancers, and fans, capturing the resilience, joy, and enduring legacy of this distinctly Louisiana sound.

The #CreateLouisiana French Culture Film Grant, supported in partnership with TV5MONDE USA, serves as a cornerstone investment in Louisiana’s creative community and in the preservation of francophone culture. Through this initiative, filmmakers are empowered to tell thoughtful, original stories that highlight the depth and vitality of French and Creole traditions and their global resonance.

“Through the French Culture Film Grant, #CreateLouisiana has proudly supported filmmakers whose work celebrates Franco-Louisiana culture and heritage,” said Executive Director of #CreateLouisiana Julie Bordelon. “As we enter our eighth year of partnership with the New Orleans French Film Festival, we are especially proud of the sustained collaboration that has allowed these films to be showcased on such a respected platform. This milestone represents a deep and growing commitment to elevating local voices and connecting Louisiana storytellers to a broader audience.”

“We are honored to have Built on Zydeco included in the New Orleans French Film Festival,” said Built on Zydeco filmmakers, Milton Arceneaux and Dustin Cravins. “To screen a Creole directed film that centers Louisiana French, Kouri Vini, and the artists who sustain this culture feels both full circle and necessary. It affirms that these stories belong in Francophone spaces, not as footnotes, but as living, evolving contributions to global French culture.”

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 2/27 FOR NOFS MEMBERS

All pass types (All Access Pass, Film Pass, and Student + Teacher Pass) are now available to purchase!

NOFS members receive great discounts on all festival passes and individual tickets. Individual tickets went on sale to NOFS members on Feb. 27 and will go on sale to the general public on March 6 at 12 p.m.

New Orleans Film Society’s Director’s Circle members receive four FREE ALL ACCESS PASSES. New Orleans Film Society’s Scene Stealer, Producer’s Circle and Executive Producers Circle members receive two FREE ALL ACCESS PASSES to the French Film Festival! Moviegoer and Take Two members enjoy great discounts on passes, tickets, and merchandise.

To become a member, visit neworleansfilmsociety.org/become-a-member

FILM LINEUP AND SCHEDULE

All screenings will be held at the Prytania Theatre in the films’ original French language or Kouri-Vini (Louisiana Creole) with English subtitles.

Part of the lineup will also be available to stream online at https://watch.eventive.org/fff2025.

OPENING NIGHT FILM: COLOURS OF TIME (La venue de l’avenir)

March 19, 7:15 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Cédric Klapisch | France | 2025 | 126min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sTdOm2BID8&t=2s

A group of strangers, all descendants of a woman named Adèle Meunier, are gathered in Normandy. The town would like to purchase her long-abandoned property, and four “cousins” are tasked with overseeing the transaction. Thus begins a genealogical journey into the past, taking us to 1895 Paris, with the City of Light on the brink of an industrial and cultural revolution. Aptly entitled “The Coming of the Future” in French, Colors of Time literally plunges us into a moment in time when Parisian creativity is at its apex… when not only electricity and technology, but photography and Impressionism in painting and music are creating a spark that’s about to erupt into a movement far beyond anyone’s expectations. Cédric Klapisch‘s endearing new comedy is nothing less than a soul-stirring, time-traveling – at times, hallucinogenic – trip forlovers of the arts everywhere.

BUILT ON ZYDECO

March 20, 6:15 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Milton Arceneaux, Dustin Cravins | USA | 2026 | 50min. | Documentary Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTwleUKkPIw

Built on Zydeco is a Creole-directed documentary that celebrates the artists, legacy, and cultural impact of Zydeco music — one of Louisiana’s most powerful and enduring exports. Filmed in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish — the capital of Zydeco — the documentary explores how this regional sound continues to define Louisiana’s identity while sustaining a multigenerational community of artists, dancers, and fans. The film features legendary artists Keith Frank, Terrance Simien, and Reginald “Buckwheat Jr.” Dural, alongside a dynamic community of musicians, dancers, and fans, capturing the resilience, joy, and enduring legacy of this distinctly Louisiana sound.

NINO (Nino)

March 20, 8 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Pauline Loquès | France | 2025 | 96min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVvFKulmNfI&t=101s

Diagnosed with throat cancer on the eve of his 29th birthday, then inadvertently locked out of his apartment, Nino spends three days walking the streets of Paris, processing the ramifications of that seismic revelation, and struggling with how to even share that news with his loved ones. Pauline Loquès‘s quiet, elegantly restrained first feature packs an unexpected emotional punch, and boasts a remarkably rich, nuanced performance by Canadian actor Théodore Pellerin, who deservedly walked off with the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This Young French Cinema program was made possible with the support of Unifrance and Villa Albertine – French Institute forCulture and Education in the United States.

ORPHEUS (Orphée)

March 21, 11:45 a.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Jean Cocteau | France | 1950 | 95min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=0I0KdZLvvoc&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY

Jean Cocteau’s update of the Orpheus myth depicts a famous poet (Jean Marais), scorned by the Left Bank youth, and his love for both his wife, Eurydice (Marie Déa), and a mysterious princess (Maria Casarès). Seeking inspiration, the poet follows the princess from the world of the living to the land of the dead, through Cocteau’s famous mirrored portal. Orpheus’s peerless visual poetry and dreamlike storytelling represent the legendary Cocteau at the height of his powers.

CHOPIN, CHOPIN!

March 21, 3:15 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Michał Kwieciński| Poland| 2025 | 132min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noi55KOvrew&t=3s

In Paris, 1835, 25-year-old Frédéric Chopin adored by aristocratic salons and royalty maintains his brilliance as a composer and performer while hiding the ravages of a mysterious illness. Over eleven chapters, he struggles with denial, fame, heartbreak, financial burdens, teaching for income, and ultimately comes to terms with his mortality.

SILENT REBELLION (À bras-le-corps)

March 19, 6 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Marie-Elsa Sgualdo| Switzerland, Belgium, France | 2025 | 96min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1qcP-rZtUI&t=92s

Switzerland, 1943. Emma lives in a rural Protestant village teeming with hypocrisy — both moral and political. Set against the backdrop of WWII, at a time when Switzerland, hiding behind a veil of “neutrality,” refuses to take a stance and willingly turns Jews over to the Nazis, Emma’s exquisite story is one of making choices, quiet acts of defiance, and courageously taking a stand, be it societal or personal. Most of all, it’s a sublime, plain-spoken story of female emancipation.

THE PIANO ACCIDENT (L’accident de piano)

March 21, 8 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Quentin Dupieux | France | 2025 | 88min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FczpuEwxcWk

Social-media sensation Magalie Moreau, famous for posting shocking videos of herself on the internet, decides to lie low in a swanky mountain chalet following a mysterious accident that occurs during her most recent video shoot. However, her peaceful retreat is disrupted when a pushy journalist begins to blackmail her.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (La Belle et la Bête)

March 22, 10 a.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Dir. Jean Cocteau| France| 1946 | 96min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.criterionchannel.com/beauty-and-the-beast/videos/beauty-and-the-beast-trailer

Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece—in which the pure love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of a feral but gentle beast—is a landmark of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day. The spectacular visions of enchantment, desire, and death in Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) have become timeless icons of cinematic wonder.

LEAVE ONE DAY (Partir un jour)

March 22, 12:15 p.m. | Prytania Theatre Uptown

Amélie Bonnin | France | 2024 | 98min. | Narrative Feature

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcyZMsj0TDA&t=6s

Cécile is about to open her own gourmet restaurant, finally making her dream come true, when suddenly her father has a heart attack and she is called back to the village where she was born. Far from the hubbub of Paris life, she runs into her teenage crush. The memories come flooding back, destabilizing her certainties. This Young French Cinema program was made possible with the support of Unifrance and Villa Albertine – French Institute for Culture and Education in the United States.

TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA (Deux Personnes échangeant de la Salive)