With free screenings across Metro Manila, the 29th French Film Festival presents French literary adaptations, historical dramas, animation, and Filipino classics restored in France.
French cinema returns to screens across Metro Manila this November, with stories drawn from literature, history, and contemporary life. Running from November 6 to 30, 2026, the 29th French Film Festival presents 24 films, with screenings offered free of charge.
Screenings begin at SM Aura BGC and SM City Manila from November 6 to 15, followed by program at Alliance Française de Manille in Makati from November 7 to 28 and Gateway Araneta and Trinoma in Quezon City from November 13 to 22 as part of QCinema. Animation screenings follow in Pasay on November 25 and 26, while SM Aura hosts a special screening on November 27. Heritage films will also be shown at the Cinémathèque Centre in Intramuros.
Alongside French releases, the selection includes Filipino classics restored in France, highlighting the countries’ collaboration in film preservation. Visiting filmmakers, post-screening discussions, and public talks offer further reasons to join this year’s festival.
“Cinema is a language that does not need translation. It has the power to make audiences feel, reflect, and experience new worlds and perspectives,” shares Ambassador of France to the Philippines Donatienne Hissard. “With this year’s selection of titles, we hope to bring the best of French cinema for the Filipino audience to enjoy and to continue building bridges between our cultures.”
READ ALSO: Resurrecting The Reel: Chronicling Film Preservation In The Philippines
What To Watch At The 29th French Film Festival
Literary adaptations are among this year’s highlights, including Les Misérables, directed by Fred Cavayé, and Le Fantôme de l’Opéra directed by Alexandre Castagnetti. The program also features Délicatesse and Jalouse, with writer-director David Foenkinos attending the festival and a special screening scheduled for November 27 at SM Aura BGC.
For those interested in history, a two-part Charles de Gaulle biopic follows his refusal to accept France’s defeat in 1940 and his efforts to rally resistance against Nazi Germany. De Gaulle: L’âge de Fer (Résistance) and De Gaulle: J’écris ton nom (Liberté) are joined by Moulin, László Nemes’s film about French Resistance leader Jean Moulin. A discussion with history professors on November 11 at SM City Manila will offer further context on France during the Second World War.
Women’s experiences take focus in Mélissa Godet’s La Maison des Femmes (A Place for Her) and Agnès Jaoui’s L’Objet du Délit (Crescendo). Screenings will be followed by conversations with Filipina film professionals and women’s rights advocates, with a public roundtable taking place on November 12 at SM Aura.
Animation fans can look out for Muyi by visiting French director Julien Chheng during the SM Cinemas run from November 6 to 15. The festival’s animation programme continues at Animahenasyon on November 25 and 26 in Pasay City.
The selection also offers a chance to revisit Philippine cinema through restored heritage films, including Lino Brocka’s Jaguar and Ginauhaw Ako, Ginagutom Ako. Both were restored in France, reflecting the international partnerships helping preserve Filipino films for future audiences.
29th French Film Festival Schedule: Venues And Special Events
Plan your visit around the following screening dates and venues:
- November 6–15 — SM Aura BGC and SM City Manila: Festival screenings, including Julien Chheng’s animated film Muyi.
- November 7–28 — Alliance Française de Manille, Makati City: Additional festival screenings throughout the month.
- November 13–22 — Gateway Araneta and Trinoma, Quezon City: Screenings as part of QCinema.
- November 25–26 — Likha Filipino Exhibition Hall, Pasay City: Two animated films will be shown as part of Animahenasyon.
- November 27 — SM Aura BGC: A special screening with visiting writer-director David Foenkinos.
- Dates to be announced — Cinémathèque Centre, Intramuros: Special screenings of heritage films.
Special dates for talks and discussions
- November 11 — History panel at SM City Manila: History professors will discuss France’s experience during the Second World War, offering context for the festival’s films about Charles de Gaulle and Jean Moulin.
- November 12 — Public roundtable at SM Aura: Filipina film professionals and women’s rights advocates will join a conversation on women’s experiences and gender equality. The programme includes discussions following screenings of La Maison des Femmes (A Place for Her) and L’Objet du Délit (Crescendo).
- November 27 — Special screening with David Foenkinos at SM Aura BGC: An opportunity to attend the festival in the presence of the writer-director whose films Délicatesse and Jalouse feature in the selection.
For the full screening schedule and more information, follow the French Embassy in the Philippines and Micronesia on Facebook and Instagram.
All film posters courtesy of the French Embassy in the Philippines
Frequently Asked Questions
The 29th French Film Festival runs from November 6 to 30, 2026, with 24 films screening across Metro Manila.
Screenings take place at SM Aura BGC and SM City Manila from November 6–15; Alliance Française de Manille in Makati from November 7–28; and Gateway Araneta and Trinoma in Quezon City from November 13–22. Animation screenings are scheduled at the Likha Filipino Exhibition Hall in Pasay on November 25–26, with a special screening at SM Aura on November 27. Heritage films will also be shown at the Cinémathèque Centre in Intramuros, with dates to be announced.
Yes, screenings at the 29th French Film Festival are offered free of charge. Check the French Embassy in the Philippines and Micronesia’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts for the full screening schedule and further details.
Highlights include Les Misérables, Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, Délicatesse, Jalouse, and the animated film Muyi. The programme also features historical films about Charles de Gaulle and Jean Moulin, alongside Filipino classics restored in France, including Jaguar and Ginauhaw Ako, Ginagutom Ako.
Yes. A history panel takes place on November 11 at SM City Manila, followed by a public roundtable on women’s experiences and gender equality on November 12 at SM Aura. A special screening with visiting writer-director David Foenkinos is also scheduled for November 27 at SM Aura.
