The Alliance Française French Film Festival has a new CEO, the passionate cinephile Frédéric Alliod. With over two decades of international event experience, Frédéric brings a wealth of expertise and a deep love for cinema to Australia. We had the pleasure of sitting down with him to discuss the 36th edition of the festival and his vision for its future.

Frédéric’s passion for cinema started early. “I’ve always been a movie lover,” he shared. His journey into organising film festivals began more than 20 years ago in Thailand and has since taken him to Indonesia and across Southeast Asia. Now in Australia, he’s ready to bring his wealth of experience to lead the largest French film festival outside of France.

This year’s Alliance Française French Film Festival features 42 films, including a number of Australian premieres. Selecting the films is no small feat. Frédéric explained that the process kicks off at the Cannes Film Festival, where he has the opportunity to preview a diverse range of films. He considers both industry professionals’ opinions and audience reactions to make his choices. “We look for diversity in genres – dramas, comedies, and everything in between,” he shared. “The goal is to bring the best of French cinema from the past year to Australian audiences, with a keen eye on what will resonate locally.”

The festival includes films that explore pressing social issues, from education to making decisions around the end of life. These films provide a platform for important conversations about society and culture. For instance, The Story of Souleymane follows the journey of a young West African refugee seeking asylum in France. The film poignantly addresses themes of identity, immigration, and the harsh realities refugees face in navigating systems of exclusion. Frédéric believes that films can spark meaningful dialogue, making the festival more than just a series of screenings, it provides an opportunity to reflect and engage.

The Canberra Alliance Française French Film Festival includes special screenings in collaboration with the Canadian, Belgian, and Italian embassies. Frédéric emphasised the importance of the diplomatic collaboration with embassies and the multicultural connections that Canberra offers. “It’s about creating a cultural dialogue between France and Australia,” he noted.

“It’s about creating a cultural dialogue between France and Australia”

The program includes films that will appeal to all generations and genre fans. We asked Frédéric to recommend films that would appeal to all ages, so grandparents and teenagers can enjoy a choc-top together. His recommendations: Speak Out, about a teenager with a stutter who takes on a lead role in a school production of Cyrano de Bergerac, and the comedy All Stirred Up, a French chef from New York whose knives and gourmet food are confiscated as he crosses the border into Quebec to participate in a culinary competition. This will be the Australian Premiere for the French-Canadian film.

So, what is next for the French Film Festival? Frédéric’s vision for the festival goes beyond just screening films. He wants to incorporate working with creators and students and build professional industry links. He believes there are many more opportunities than we might expect. We hope some budding Canberra filmmakers can create cross-continental collaborations.

As Frédéric embarks on this new chapter, Canberrans can look forward to a vibrant and engaging French Film Festival that celebrates cinema and fosters cultural connections.

The 36th Alliance Française French Film Festival in Canberra will take place from March 6th to April 9th, 2025, at the Palace Electric Cinema. See the Canberra program and ticket details on the Alliance Française website.

Our tip: Pick up a bundle of tickets and select movies to enjoy with friends.