Young French Cinema 2026 

Returning after a break in 2025, the program will present six films that have yet to secure U.S. distribution. These works will be made available to American art-house theaters, film societies, festivals, universities, and cultural organizations for screenings throughout the United States. 

In collaboration with Unifrance, Young French Cinema is one of 15 professional programs from Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education working across disciplines and continents to build a vibrant community of arts and ideas. Within this framework, Young French Cinema spotlights some of the most compelling voices in contemporary French filmmaking—directors whose work has earned strong recognition from the international press.

All six films in this year’s selection premiered at major international festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, Locarno, and the Berlinale. Notably, the 2026 lineup reflects a strong commitment to gender representation, with women directors behind five of the six selected films. 

Dedicated to emerging talent, the program brings together a diverse range of independent productions, from intimate auteur films to socially engaged dramas and documentaries. This new selection underscores how today’s young filmmakers embrace a global outlook, blending cultural influences while addressing an exceptionally broad spectrum of themes and perspectives.

The 2026 Selection

That Summer in Paris by Valentine Cadic

Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Drama
75 min

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Paris, 2024 Olympic Games.

Blandine, 30, arrives from Normandy to watch the swimming competitions. Disoriented by the bustling and chaotic city where nothing seems to go her way, she will unexpectedly renew ties with her estranged half-sister and niece. 

Cast: Blandine Madec, India Hair, Arcadi Radeff
Main Festivals: Berlinale

Image: That Summer in Paris Valentine Cadic / Urban Sales

Affection Affection by Maxime Matray and Alexia Walther

Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Drama
99 min

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In the winter on the French Riviera, a teenage girl goes missing on her birthday. Géraldine, an employee in the mayor’s office, takes on the role of detective. Versions of the truth rapidly multiply as she struggles not to be overwhelmed by all the gossip and theories. The unexpected return of her mother will not ease her task. It’s well known that small villages are full of small crimes…

Cast: Agathe Bonitzer, Nathalie Richard, Christophe Paou
Main Festivals: Locarno

Image: Affection Affection by Maxime Matray, Alexia Walther / Ecce Films

Wild Foxes by Valéry Carnoy

Genre: Fiction, Drama
84 min

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At a sports boarding school, talented young boxer Camille narrowly survives a fatal accident, saved by his best friend Matteo. After a swift recovery, an inexplicable pain gradually takes hold of him, threatening his dreams of greatness and his relationship with the team. In the ring and in a man’s world, there’s no room for weakness.

Cast: Samuel Kircher, Yoann Blanc, Faycal Anaflous
Main Festivals: Cannes FF

Image: Wild Foxes by Valéry Carnoy / The Party Film Sales

Nino by Pauline Loquès

Genre: Fiction, Drama
97 min

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In three days, Nino will face a major challenge. But first, his doctors have assigned him two vital tasks. Two missions that will lead the young man on a journey through Paris, compelling him to reconnect with the world – and himself.

Cast: Théodore Pellerin, William Lebghil, Salomé Dewaels
Main Festivals: Cannes FF

Image: Nino by Pauline Loquès / The Party Film Sales

Leave One Day by Amélie Bonnin

Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Drama
98 min

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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.

Cast: Juliette Armanet, Bastien Bouillon, François Rollin
Main Festivals: Cannes FF

Image: Leave One Day by Amélie Bonnin / Pathé Films

The Girl in the Snow by Louise Hémon

Genre: Fiction, Drama
97 min

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1899. On a stormy night, Aimée, a young Republican schoolteacher, arrives in a snowy hamlet on the edge of the Alps. Despite the mistrust of the inhabitants, she is determined to shed light on their dark beliefs. As she blends into the life of the community, a sensual vertigo grows within her.

Cast: Galatea Bellugi, Matthieu Lucci, Samuel Kircher
Main Festivals: Cannes FF

Image: The Girl in the Snow by Louise Hémon / Kinology

YFC 2026 Guidelines

Young French Cinema is available to U.S. art house cinemas, film societies, festivals, the Alliance Française network and universities. Part of the selection may be available in Canada too.

Film Selection: The program includes six feature films. All the selected features premiered in major international film festivals in 2025, including Cannes, Locarno, Berlinale, etc.

All films can be booked à la carte: there is no minimum or maximum number of films that you must choose.

Fees: Each feature film in the 2026 program is available for a $350 booking fee for up to two screenings per film. Fees are paid either directly to the rightsholder at the end of the year.

Format: All films are available in H264 files or DCP, provided by the DCU lab on hard drive or via electronic/download delivery.  

Timeline: All film inquiries must be sent at least four weeks before the screening date and addressed to youngfrenchcinema@gmail.com. Unifrance will be the third party between the rights-holder in France and you.

Publicity: All publicity materials must include the following credit line: “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.”

Contact:

For Bookings: youngfrenchcinema@gmail.com

Sandrine Neveux, Villa Albertine – Film Program Officer
+1 (415) 254-8694 / sandrine.neveux@villa-albertine.org

Anne Takahashi, UniFrance – USA Representative
+1 (917) 825-4340 / anne.takahashi@unifrance.org