The curtain has fallen on the 36th edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival (AF FFF), and the numbers speak for themselves: 198,893 spectators, over 6,000 screenings, and 42 films shown across 20 Australian cities, including Darwin, making its debut on the festival circuit. A historic milestone for what is now the largest French film festival outside France, and undoubtedly a standout on the Australian cultural calenda
“The success of this 36th edition has exceeded all our expectations. The Festival has become, year after year, a true institution. Today, it stands as a cultural landmark for tens of thousands of Australians,” said François Romanet, Chairman of the Festival’s Board of Directors.
Beyond the impressive statistics, this achievement is also the result of a new governance model, successfully implemented in early 2024.“With the support of the French Embassy in Australia, we restructured our national organisation to make it more agile, more united, and better equipped. This 2025 edition is the first to fully benefit from this new approach,” Romanet added.
Since January 2024, the Festival has been coordinated by a national body uniting the presidents of the Alliances Françaises in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and Adelaide. This new framework—balancing centralised strategic vision and strong local roots—has allowed the Festival to significantly expand its reach while respecting each city’s unique cultural identity.“This hybrid model—strategic unity with local autonomy—is our strength. It ensures coherence in our programming and amplifies our cultural impact,” Romanet emphasized.
The success of this year’s event is also down to the richness of the programme. Highlights include The Count of Monte Cristo, Monsieur Aznavour, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, My Brother’s Band, Bolero, and the popular comedies All Stirred Up! and Riviera Revenge.
“Our goal is clear: to offer a living, diverse portrait of French cinema every year. This year, our focus on female voices—both in front of and behind the camera—resonated deeply with audiences,” noted Frédéric Alliod, CEO of the Festival.
Audiences also embraced the many immersive events that defined this year’s edition—CinéWine nights, Taste of France, Ladies’ Night, expert Q&As, themed debates, and over 150 special events that enriched the cinematic experience.“Audiences today don’t just want to watch a film—they want an experience. This year, we succeeded in creating evenings where cinema, gastronomy, and emotion came together,” Alliod said.
Online, the Festival also achieved outstanding visibility, with over 1.7 million page views on its official website. Media coverage reached more than 21 million people, featuring in major outlets like Marie Claire, The Australian, TimeOut, and Concrete Playground.
“This record visibility confirms our place in Australia’s cultural landscape. The Festival has become an unmissable event for the public and for our institutional and business partners alike,” said Alliod.
Audience demographics reflect this high standing: 73% female, mostly urban, well-educated, and with a strong presence in the 25–54 age bracket. A loyal, curious, and engaged public.
“It’s a passionate and discerning audience. We’re committed to surprising, moving, and inspiring them with the best of French-language cinema, right here in Australia,” Alliod added.
This success also rests on a solid network of partners: Palace Cinemas, the French Embassy, national and local sponsors, and the dedicated teams from Alliances Françaises across the country.
It is equally the result of a broader collective effort—Team France in Australia—which brings together the forces of French economic and cultural diplomacy: the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), Foreign Trade Advisors, Business France, Atout France, local associations, and the French schools in Australia, including the Lycée Condorcet of Sydney.
“The Team France spirit is a discreet yet decisive strength. This close collaboration between economic, cultural, and educational actors allows France to shine in a coherent and effective way in Australia. It’s a model I’m deeply committed to,” emphasized Romanet, a long-time supporter of these networks, having served as former national president of FACCI and of the Lycée Condorcet of Sydney.
“This Festival is the result of collective commitment. What we’ve achieved in 2025 is more than a one-off success—it’s a solid foundation on which to build the future,” concluded François Romanet and Frédéric Alliod, with one voice.
The next edition rolls out in March 2026. Get ready for another spectacular season of French cinema—bold, brilliant, and beautifully French.
Contact:
ceo@affrenchfilmfestival.org
partnerships@affrenchfilmfestival.org
Alliance Française French Film Festival
Level 8, 257 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000
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