Featuring previews, classic films, a competition, retrospectives, and numerous side events, the Festival establishes itself as a space for discovery, connection, and cultural dialogue, bringing Francophone cinema and culture even closer to the Portuguese audience.
Come and discover the 2026 French Film Festival starting October 1st!

In 2026, the French Film Festival celebrates its 27th edition, inviting the public to explore the richness, diversity, and vitality of French cinema while reaffirming its identity as a space for discovery, connection, and cultural dialogue.

The French Film Festival takes place in Lisbon from October 1 to 11—at Cinema São Jorge and other city venues—before touring various other locations across the country. It has established itself as a major cultural event on the Portuguese calendar and one of the country's most popular film festivals, drawing between 20,000 and 25,000 attendees annually.

The program spans genres, generations, and geographies, featuring national premieres, works by renowned auteurs, retrospectives, school screenings, audience Q&As, and educational activities. It also includes a competition section dedicated to debut and sophomore films, reinforcing the festival's commitment to discovering new talent.

Beyond the screen, the Festival champions initiatives such as the Portuguese-Francophone co-production market for films and series, building bridges between professionals from different countries and fostering international collaborations.

Directed by the Il Sorpasso Association, with artistic consultancy from Charlotte Serrand, the French Film Festival serves as a platform for connection and exchange among France, Portugal, and the Francophone world, celebrating the artistic excellence, innovation, and cultural richness that make French cinema an essential point of reference.

The event is organized in partnership with the Embassy of France in Portugal, the Institut Français du Portugal, and Unifrance. The festival is also part of MaisFRANÇA, a program dedicated to contemporary French creative work in Portugal.