French Film Festival in Brazil runs in cinemas until December 10 with 20 features and the classic “La Chèvre”. [1][2]
In its final days, the 16th French Film Festival in Brazil remains on screen across the country until Wednesday, December 10. This edition presents 20 recent feature films and the classic “La Chèvre” by Francis Veber, reinforcing its status as the only nationwide, simultaneous French film festival in Brazil. [1][2][3]
With screenings in more than 50 Brazilian cities, the Festival showcases the breadth of contemporary French production, spanning drama, comedy, and animation. Since its inception, the event has attracted over two million spectators, becoming one of the main international windows for French cinema. [1][2]
Program highlights
One of the highlights is “At Work” (À pied d’oeuvre), directed by Valérie Donzelli, which will only premiere in France in February 2026. Winner of the Best Screenplay Award at this year’s Venice Film Festival, the drama follows a successful photographer who abandons his career to devote himself to his true passion: writing. [4][5][6]
Another highly anticipated title is “The Stranger”, the new film by François Ozon, adapted from Albert Camus’ 1942 novel, long considered difficult to bring to the screen. Shot in black and white, the drama follows Meursault, a Frenchman living in Algeria whose apparent indifference to life and social norms leads to a senseless crime and a trial that exposes the contradictions of colonial France. [1][7]
The lineup also includes “Me, Who Loved You” (Moi qui t’aimais), directed by Diane Kurys and inspired by a true story. The film portrays the turbulent relationship between Yves Montand (Roschdy Zem) and Simone Signoret (Marina Foïs), emphasizing how Signoret refused to be cast as a victim despite Montand’s affair with Marilyn Monroe and other emotional wounds. [1][7]
Films by acclaimed directors
The Festival screens new works by renowned filmmakers such as brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, who present the realistic drama “Young Mothers”, awarded Best Screenplay at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The slate also features the comedy “Barbaric Neighbors”, directed by and starring Julie Delpy, the historical drama “13 Days, 13 Nights”, by Martin Bourboulon, and the animated film “Maya, Give Me a Title”, by Michel Gondry. [1][8][7]
Another highlight is the dramedy “The Chef’s Secret”, directed by Amélie Bonnin, which opened the 2025 Cannes Film Festival before arriving in Brazilian theaters. The selection emphasizes award-winning films and titles that have circulated in major international festivals. [8][7]
Cast and tributes
The Festival gathers performances from major French stars, including Isabelle Huppert in “The Richest Woman in the World”, as well as Omar Sy and Vanessa Paradis in “Out of Control”. Also standing out are Pio Marmaï in “Attachment”, Roschdy Zem in “13 Days, 13 Nights” and “Me, Who Loved You”, and Pierre Richard in “I Dream, Therefore I Am”, which he also directs. [8][2]
Actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter Pierre Richard is the honoree of this 16th edition, after being celebrated at Cannes this year. The classic “La Chèvre”, directed by Francis Veber and starring Richard, is part of the program as a tribute to his career and to the successful partnership with Gérard Depardieu. [2][3][9]
Sponsors and partners
The French Film Festival in Brazil has Varilux, a brand of the EssilorLuxottica group, as its master sponsor. The event is also supported by BNP Paribas, Edenred, Voltalia, Fairmont, and Air France, in addition to the Brazilian Ministry of Culture, through the Rouanet Law, and the City of Rio de Janeiro’s Department of Culture. [1][2]
Institutional partners include the Alliances Françaises, the French Embassy in Brazil, film distributors, independent exhibitors, and major commercial cinema chains. Together, they strengthen cultural exchange between France and Brazil and expand access to French-language cinema nationwide. [1][2]
Social media
Audiences can follow updates from the French Film Festival in Brazil on social networks. Official profiles are on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Giphy, and Spotify under @FestCineFrancesBR, with the hashtag #FestCineFrancêsBR. [10]
