Kansas City French Film Festival

From April 30 to May 10, 2026, the First French Film Festival, organized by the Alliance Française de Kansas City, invites you to explore the diversity and depth of contemporary French storytelling, from intimate family dramas to sweeping romantic epics, from thought-provoking literary adaptations to uplifting stories.

• The Festival Pass: the 7-movies pass (Six at the Glenwood Arts and one at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.)
  https://www.afkc.org/event-rsvp/first-french-film-festival-packages-of-7-films/
• Opening Night (Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 PM at Cezanne KC)
  https://www.afkc.org/events/french-movies-festival/#anchor-theOpeningNightEvent

PROGRAM

Colors of Time (La venue de l’avenir)
Friday, May 1st – 7:00 PM
Dir. Cédric Klapish, 2025

A poetic and visually striking drama about legacy, memory, and the invisible threads that connect generations. As past and present intertwine, the film explores how family history shapes identity and destiny, offering a moving reflection on time and belonging.

The Musicians (Les musiciens)
Saturday, May 2nd – 7:00 PM
Dir. Grégory Magne, 2025

An uplifting ensemble story that brings together a group of passionate musicians whose lives intersect through their shared love of music. Filled with warmth, tension, and harmony, this film celebrates artistic collaboration and the transformative power of sound.

The Safe House (La cache)
Sunday, May 3rd – 4:00 PM 
Dir. Lionel Baier, 2025

Set during the turbulent events of May 1968 in France, this intimate and nuanced drama unfolds within the walls of a Parisian family apartment that becomes both a refuge and a pressure cooker. As student protests and nationwide strikes shake the country, generational tensions and long-buried secrets surface inside the home. Through humor, tenderness, and sharp observation, the film captures a pivotal historical moment while exploring family bonds, political awakening, and the shifting ideals of an era.

Leave One Day (Partir un jour)
Wednesday, May 6th – 5:30 PM
Dir. Amélie Bonnin, 2025

A tender and introspective story about the courage it takes to walk away and begin again. When a decisive moment forces change, the film explores love, regret, and the bittersweet beauty of new beginnings.

The Stranger (L’étranger)
Friday, May 8th – 7:00 PM
Dir. François Ozon, 2025

A powerful adaptation of Albert Camus’ literary masterpiece, this film delves into existentialism, alienation, and the absurdity of human experience. Stark, thought-provoking, and hauntingly relevant, it invites viewers to question society, morality, and meaning.

A Very Long Engagement (Un long dimanche de fiançailles)
Saturday, May 9th – 2:00 PM
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2004

A sweeping romantic epic set in the aftermath of World War I. When a young woman refuses to believe her fiancé died in the trenches, she embarks on a relentless search for the truth. Visually stunning and emotionally powerful, this film is both a love story and a tribute to resilience. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the visionary behind Amélie Poulain, and starring the same mesmerizing lead actress, the film immerses viewers in the same whimsical yet deeply emotional universe that Jeunet is celebrated for.

The festival is supported by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs through its STAFE program.