San Diego French Film Festival

Start: Sunday, May 3, 2026 5:00PM
End: Thursday, May 7, 2026 11:00PM

The 6th San Diego French Film Festival, presented by the Alliance Française San Diego, will take place May 3–7, 2026 at THE LOT La Jolla and the Carlsbad City Library. This year’s edition places a special focus on women’s voices and stories from across the Francophone world, showcasing a diverse selection of French-language films with English subtitles.

The Festival is honored to welcome internationally acclaimed actor, director, and screenwriter Julie Delpy as Patron of its sixth edition. Known for her celebrated career in international cinema, Delpy will present her latest film, Meet the Barbarians (Les Barbares), on May 4, followed by a live Q&A with the audience.

The program features films from Canada, Cameroon, Tunisia, France, and the United States, highlighting the cultural richness and global diversity of the Francophone world. Filmmakers and guests will include directors Erige Sehiri, Nathan Ambrosioni, and André Nerman, as well as producer Marianne Maddalena, music director Victor le Masne and actor Caroline Amiguet.

The festival opens May 3 with Colors of Time (La Venue de l’avenir) by Cédric Klapisch, followed by a gala reception. Screenings throughout the week will explore themes of love, resilience, identity, and motherhood, culminating with the closing film Welcome to Iceland (Bienvenue en Islande) on May 7.

In addition, special student screenings will introduce young audiences in San Diego to Francophone cinema as part of the Festival’s educational mission.