French cinema takes centre stage in Cork

The Cork French Film Festival returns this year from 6th to 9th March in the Arc Cinema. It will offer an enticing selection of 11 films spanning a range of genres — from sharp comedies and intense dramas to high-octane action and thought-provoking documentaries.

This year’s line-up celebrates French, Canadian, and Belgian cinema, with all films presented in their original language and accompanied by English subtitles.

Among the highlights is The Marching Band, which boasts seven César Award nominations. In addition to the cinematic gems on screen, the festival marks the 130th anniversary of French cinema while also honouring the legacy of the beloved actor Michel Blanc.

Entirely volunteer-run and supported by the French and Canadian Embassies, alongside numerous other sponsors, the festival is a must-attend for cinephiles and those who love all things French.

Valérie David-McGonnell, President of Alliance Française de Cork, and Josselin Le Gall, Honorary Consul of France to Cork and Kerry, programme and direct the festival. They are passionate about film, and David-McGonnell says it is vital they highlight the best in French-language film.

“We hand-pick each film. We want the festival to be like a crown, and each film is a jewel in this crown. We always want to make sure that every film we programme will be not just good, but very good.”

To ensure Cork audiences get the best films on offer, the programmers have selected films that have garnered awards and attention at French and international festivals.

“All the films have been nominated for awards,” says David-McGonnell, “not just for the upcoming César Awards in France, but they have also won awards at international festivals. Our Canadian film Shepherds / Bergers won the Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. The Belgian film, Night Call / La Nuit se traîne, won the Jury grand prize at the Rome Film Fest in 2024, and the French films have also won many different awards.”

This year, there are multiple genres with films to suit all tastes, as David-McGonnell explains.

“The program is a mix of different genres. We like to make sure that we have something for everyone. Some people prefer comedies, dramas, action films, thrillers, or documentaries. We have a little of everything, including an animation film for children.”

La Gall says that while all the films in the programme are excellent, the opening night film, The Marching Band / En Fanfare, about a renowned conductor who learns something shocking about his family, is really special.

“It is a brilliant movie, and we really encourage people to attend it. It has seven nominations for the César Awards this year, and I know that audiences will really enjoy it.

“Dahomey is another special one. It is a documentary set in Benin relating to relics taken from the country many years ago and about modern-day museums’ role in returning artefacts to their country of origin.”

David-McGonnell says The Count of Monte Cristo / Le Comte de Monte-Cristo has stunning cinematography and will be popular with all cinemagoers.

“The story is based on the Alexandre Dumas book. It is famous worldwide, so it will appeal to all audiences, whether they speak French or not. We are also lucky to be able to show a Canadian film, Shepherds / Bergers, thanks to our sponsors, the Canadian Embassy. We are fortunate to have two embassies sponsoring our festival, the French and the Canadian Embassy.”

The festival also presents a screening of The School of Life / L’École buissonnière, aimed at transition year, fifth-year, and sixth-year students. David-McConnell says it is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn French outside their usual activities, and she encourages French teachers to bring their students.

In 1895, the Lumière Brothers, Auguste and Louis, changed the course of history with the invention of cinema.

Their groundbreaking creation, the Cinématographe, was not merely a machine — it was the spark that ignited the visual revolution. This year’s Cork Film Festival celebrates the 130th anniversary of Lumière’s first screening, and David-McGonnell says it is the first festival to mark this great milestone.

“We are celebrating a big anniversary, the birth of cinema, 130 years ago.

“The anniversary of the Lumière’s first public screening is in December, and we are the first festival to celebrate this great event in 2025 which is very exciting for us.”

The festival also pays homage to Michel Blanc, a renowned French actor and filmmaker who died last year.

Blanc seamlessly shifted between the roles of actor, director, and screenwriter. His legacy continues to inspire both filmmakers and audiences alike. David-McGonnell says they have programmed two films that display Blanc’s range.

“Michel was a fantastic actor. He started in comedy, but he did really good dramas as well, so we chose two films that show different aspects of his persona and his work as an actor. Sweet Little Things / Les petites victoires is a light comedy set in Brittany. When most French people think of Blanc, they think of his comedic acting, which is why Sweet Little Things is the perfect film choice. We are also showing his most famous film, Mr Hire, a thriller based on a book by Georges Simenon.”

The festival is in its 36th year, and Le Gall says it has become a cultural hub for the French-speaking community nationwide.

“It is important to highlight that the festival is a major event for the French community, not only the Francophone and the Francophile in Cork but also beyond.

“We have people coming from Dublin, Limerick, and Kerry. This festival offers a unique space to celebrate French culture and cinema and strengthens the cultural exchange as well. It helps close the gap between Ireland and France in terms of not only the English language but the French language itself.”

Le Gall also stresses that the festival is for everyone — native French speakers and those who cannot speak a word.

“It’s a festival for everyone. All the movies are subtitled in English, so even if you don’t speak French, there is a movie for you. It is a chance to see the best in new French cinema and explore French culture.”

The film festival will take place in the most recently refurbished auditorium at the Arc Cinema, named Screen 6 ‘Gate Screen’ to honour the cinema's legacy.

• The Cork French Film Festival takes place from March 6-9th. See: www.corkfrenchfilmfestival.com