Overview
France's dedication to cinema is well-known, from its thriving and prolific local industry through to its commitment to the big-screen experience — and also its status as the home of the world's most prestigious film festival. But which country boasts the largest showcase of French movies outside of the country itself? That'd be Australia, all thanks to the annual and beloved Alliance Française French Film Festival.
One of the first film fests on each year's cinema calendar, AFFFF will return in 2023 for its whopping 34th year, once again highlighting the latest and greatest flicks from France that it can find. The full bill always includes notable comedies and dramas from the past year, both award-winners and contenders, and a focus on classic French films — and while it is too early for the festival to reveal its lineup for its next edition, it has announced its dates ahead of program details arriving in the new year.
As usual, the event will make its regular capital city stops. So, cinephiles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart, mark your diaries accordingly.
In addition, AFFFF is also heading to a heap of regional locations — some that it has visited in past years, others that are new additions for 2023. Movie buffs in Byron Bay, Parramatta, Rooty Hill, Victor Harbour, Bendigo, the Gold Coast and Margaret River, block out your calendars as well.
Wondering what the program might entail? The 2022 lineup is a good guide in terms of the kinds of films AFFFF champions. This year's roster included stunning abortion drama Happening, which also won the 2021 Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival; the exceptional Petite Maman, the latest film from Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Céline Sciamma; and grand 19th-century Paris-set drama Lost Illusions.
Also on the 2022 bill: Murder Party, a murder-mystery with big Cluedo vibes; Full Time, led by Call My Agent!'s Laure Calamy; and documentary The Velvet Queen, with photographer Vincent Munier and writer Sylvain Tesson heading to the Tibetan highlands on a quest to find the snow leopard.
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2023 DATES:
March 7–April 5: Sydney, NSW
March 8–April 5: Melbourne, VIC
March 8–April 5: Perth, WA
March 9–19: Hobart, TAS
March 9–April 5: Canberra, ACT
March 15–April 12: Brisbane, QLD
March 16–April 5: Byron Bay, NSW
March 23–April 19: Adelaide, SA
March 29–April 2: Parramatta, NSW
March 29–April 2: Rooty Hill, NSW
March 29–April 16: Gold Coast, QLD
March 31–April 2: Margaret River, WA
April 3 and 10: Victor Harbour, SA
April 21–23: Bendigo, VIC
+ encore dates in some cities
The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, March 7–Tuesday, April 25, 2023. For more information, visit the AFFFF website. Check back here on Wednesday, February 1 for the full program.