The French Film Festival has shown off its programme for this year’s run of films, featuring high-profile screenings from François Ozon (Swimming Pool), Julia Ducournau (Titane) and Richard Linklater (Boyhood). Taking place in 40 different locations across the UK from Thursday 6 November – Friday 12 December, this 33rd edition of the festival will feature 32 UK premieres and 62 films in total. 

Steeping its toes in one of the most important moments in French cinema history is Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague (pictured above), a dramatic reconstruction of the shooting of Jean-Luc Godard’s form-breaking masterpiece Breathless. Ozon has also mined the 20th century for inspiration with his adaptation of Albert Camus’ The Stranger, shot in monochrome to echo its central character’s drab existence. 

Ducornau, who’s previously ruffled feathers with the provocative horror Raw and the visceral body horror Titane (which won the Palme d'Or in 2021), will return to the fold with Alpha, another entry in the body horror genre which follows a 13-year-old girl’s troubled life as a new bloodborne disease turns people into marble. Other celebrated French directors screening work at the festival include Cédric Klapish, Diane Kurys, Hafsia Herzi and Lionel Baier. 

Alongside newer films, age-old French studio Gaumont will be placed in the spotlight, with showings of Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources, and the pioneering serial Fantômas with live orchestral accompaniment. Away from arthouse fare is a film likely to set the box office abuzz, How To Make A Killing. Starring and directed by Frank Dubosc, early screenings of this dark comedy have drawn comparisons with Fargo. 

Festival director Richard Mowe said: ‘With this 33rd edition the true diversity of French-language cinema has never been as strong and as vibrant as in this year’s selection. There is an “embarras de richesses” – an overwhelming choice. We are delighted to partner with so many incredible cinemas and cultural institutions across the UK to platform the brilliance of French cinema.’

French Film Festival, various venues, Thursday 6 November – Friday 12 December.