The Berlinale Competition will present a broad overview of French productions, with eight majority- and minority-French feature films (out of 24 in the selection), including new films by Alain Gomis (Dao), Leyla Bouzid (In a Whisper), and Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Soumsoum, The Night of the Stars). Gormis won the Silver Bear in 2017 for Félicité, but this is the first time at the Berlinale for the other two filmmakers.  

All three will be championing diversity at this year's festival, where French production will also be represented by five minority-French films in Competition, directed by Emin Alper, Angela Schanelec, Ilker Çatak, Dominik Locher, Hidetoshi Shinomiya, and Hanna Bergholm.

Dao

In the Panorama and Panorama Dokumente strands, notable entries include new films by  Danielle Arbid, an intergenerational love story shot in Lebanon (Only Rebels Win), and Patric Chiha, who filmed the daily life of a group of Russian friends during wartime in A Russian Winter. Rithy Panh will present We Are the Fruits of the Forest, a documentary focusing on Cambodia's indigenous communities, in the Forum strand. 

A Russian Winter

In Forum Special, we would like to highlight the presentation of Mona Achache television documentary When you listen to this song, A Night at Anne Frank’s, adapted from Lola Lafon's book, a story that intertwines the life of Anne Frank, the writer's journey of identity, and the memory of a teenager who was a victim of the Cambodian genocide.

On the short film front, five French shorts will be presented in International Competition, including the latest work directed by Yolande Zauberman, Les Juifs riches.

At the invitation of the Teddy Awards and to mark their 40th anniversary, Céline Sciamma, whose Tomboy reaped the award at the Berlinale in 2011, has re-edited the film to offer a new version. This will be previewed at a special screening in the presence of the director, who will receive an honorary Teddy Award in recognition of her cultural and artistic impact. 

Delegation and events

Many filmmakers and artists will be attending this year's festival, including (subject to change): Leyla Bouzid, Eya Bouteraa, Hiam Abbass, and Marion Barbeau (for In a Whisper); Alain Gomis, Katy Correa, D'Johé Kouadio, Samir Guesmi, Fara Baco Gomis, and Poundo Gomis for Dao; Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Achouackh Abakar Souleymane, Ériq Ebouaney, and Maïmouna Miawama for Soumsoum, The Night of the Stars; Danielle Arbid and Hiam Abbass for Only Rebels Win; Patric Chiha; Rithy Panh...

On the evening of February 13, Unifrance will host its traditional cocktail reception for the festival and EFM, for French distributors, sales agents, and delegations (by invitation only).

On February 16, during the Soirée Française du Cinéma at the Ambassade de France in Germany, François Delattre, Ambassadeur de France to Germany, will award the insignia of Officer of the Legion of Honor to Daniela Elstner, Executive Director of Unifrance.

Club Unifrance

For the second year running, Unifrance will be operating the Club Unifrance during the Berlinale from February 13 to 17. Located just a few minutes from Potsdamer Platz, this space is dedicated to welcoming French film crews from all strands and selections for their meetings with the international press and for recording interviews.

This initiative, designed to boost media coverage of French films, has been made possible thanks to increased support from the CNC for 2026 and the patrons of the Unifrance Endowment Fund (Accor – Grand Patron, BNP Paribas – Patron, and Maison Pommery & Associés – Patron). It should also be noted that Unifrance plans to provide specific support for documentaries in partnership with La Scam.

Unifrance at the EFM

Many French sales agents will also be attending the EFM. A total of 16 French international sales companies, as well as the CNC and Le Marché du Film / Cinando, will be hosted at the Unifrance stand (No.36):

• Alfama Films Production
• Artedis
• Coproduction Office
• France tv distribution
• Le Pacte
• Loco Films
• Losange Films
• Luxbox
• Mediawan Rights
• MPM Premium
• Octopolis
• Pyramide International
• Salaud Morisset
• The Bureau Sales
• Urban Sales
• WTFilms

Gen Z Audience Award

Unifrance is once again joining forces with the EFM, OFAJ (Office Franco-Allemand pour la Jeunesse), and Université Paris 8 Vincennes – Saint-Denis, for the 2nd Gen Z Audience Award.

Two students from Paris 8, selected by Unifrance in collaboration with Université Paris 8 Vincennes – Saint Denis and the OFAJ, will participate in a Franco-German jury (composed of five students in total) which will award, from among the selection of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, a feature film project in the development or financing phase that is particularly aimed at young people and promises to reach and move a wide audience in this segment.
The Gen Z Audience Award comes with a €5,000 grant from the OFAJ.

From short to long

As part of its strategy to support emerging producers and talent, Unifrance is once again partnering with EFM Toolbox, which has selected producer Khir-Din Grid (Nouvelle Toile), to participate in the program's activities with Unifrance's support.

Press screenings

Ahead of the festival, Unifrance will, as it does every year, organize press screenings of some of the French titles presented during this edition, for the benefit of international journalists based in Paris.

The 10 to Watch 2026 in the spotlight

The Unifrance 10 to Watch 2026 talents will be showcased at Unifrance's EFM stand via a dedicated display. This initiative will also be the subject of a feature by Screen International as part of its Berlinale dailies.

Shooting Stars 2026

Salif Cissé, a member of Unifrance's 10 to Watch 2026, will represent France—with the support of Unifrance—as part of the European Shooting Stars. program. Initiated by the EFP, this program invites ten promising new talents from European cinema to the Berlin Film Festival each year to help them make themselves known to the international press and public and to build a network in the international film industry. 

All the French films at the 76th Berlinale

Competition

• In a Whisper by Leyla Bouzid
• Dao by Alain Gomis
• Soumsoum, The Night of the Stars by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
• A New Dawn by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya (minority-French co-production)
• Nightborn by Hanna Bergholm (minority-French co-production)
• Salvation by Emin Alper (minority-French co-production)
• My Wife Cries by Angela Schanelec (minority-French co-production)
• Yellow Letters by Ilker Çatak (minority-French co-production)

Panorama

• Only Rebels Win by Danielle Arbid
• Enjoy Your Stay by Dominik Locher (minority-French co-production)
• Isabel by Gabe Klinger (minority-French co-production)
• Narciso by Marcelo Martinessi (minority-French co-production)
• Paradise by Jérémy Comte (minority-French co-production)
   

Panorama Dokumente 

• The Hidden Face Of The Earth by Arnaud Alain
• Enough Is Enough by Elisé Sawasawa
• A Russian Winter by Patric Chiha
• Douglas Gordon by Douglas Gordon by Finlay Pretsell (minority-French co-production)
• Jaripeo by Efrain Mojica and Rebecca Zweig (minority-French co-production)
• The Other Side of the Sun by Tawfik Sabouni (minority-French co-production)

Forum 

• Effondrement by Anat Even
• Given Names by Nurith Aviv
• We Are the Fruits of the Forest by Rithy Panh
   

Berlinale Special

• Sleep No More by Edwin
• No Good Men by Shahrbanoo Sadat
   

Retrospective

• Germany Year 90 Nine Zero by Jean-Luc Godard
• From the East by Chantal Akerman
• The Double Life of Véronique by Krzysztof Kieslowski

Berlinale Classics

• Carnival in Flanders by Jacques Feyder

Forum Special

• A Lot Talk by Pascale Bodet
• When you listen to this song, A Night at Anne Frank’s by Mona Achache

Perspectives

• Chronicles From the Siege by Abdallah Al-Khatib (minority-French co-production)
• Filipiñana by Rafael Manuel (minority-French co-production)
• Forêt ivre by Manon Coubia (minority-French co-production)
• Truly Naked by Muriel d'Ansembourg (minority-French co-production)

Generation 14Plus

• Chicas tristes by Fernanda Tovar (minority-French co-production)

Teddy 40

• Tomboy by Céline Sciamma

Short Film - International Competition

• Kontrewers by Zuza Banasińska
• Les Juifs riches by Yolande Zauberman
• Souls of Fouta by Alpha Diallo
• Taxi moto by Gaël Kamilindi
• Someday a child by Marie-Rose Osta

The opening night of Rendez-Vous will feature the New York premiere of The Stranger, François Ozon's adaptation of Albert Camus' iconic novel, in the presence of the director and of the actress Rebecca Marder. Acclaimed at its premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, the film has since been nominated for four César Awards, including Best Actor (Benjamin Voisin) and Best Supporting Actor (Pierre Lottin). It also won the Best Film and Best Actor (Benjamin Voisin) awards at the Lumière Awards.

And it's Alpha, by Julia Ducournau, presented in Competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and then at some twenty international festivals, that will close this edition. 

The following French talents are expected to attend (subject to change): François Ozon, Julia Ducournau, Olivier Assayas, Pascal Bonitzer, Anna Cazenave Cambet, Salif Cissé, Arnaud Desplechin, Valérie Donzelli, Claire Simon, Rebecca Marder, Maxime Matray, Alexia Walther, Dominik Moll, Stéphane Demoustier, Fabienne Godet, Leyla Bouzid, Nadia Melliti, Jean-Paul Salomé, Pauline Loquès, and Kristy Baboul.

For Florence Almozini, the Vice President of Programming at Film at Lincoln Center, "The 31st edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema reflects the ever-impressive vitality and artistic ambition of contemporary filmmaking in France. This year’s lineup brings together acclaimed auteurs such as Olivier Assayas, François Ozon, Claire Simon, Pascal Bonitzer, and many exciting new filmmakers including Leyla Bouzid and Pauline Loquès, to name a few. Film at Lincoln Center is proud to continue this long-standing collaboration with Unifrance, presenting the best of new French cinema to New York audiences."

For Daniela Elstner, Executive Director of Unifrance, "Rendez-Vous with French Cinema continues to serve as a cultural bridge between France and the United States, bringing filmmakers and audiences together through a shared love of cinema. At a time of global uncertainty, we are deeply grateful for the strong and solid relationship we have built with our partners at Film at Lincoln Center."

Masterclasses and encounters

As is the case every year, a series of encounters between filmmakers and students from New York high schools and universities, sometimes accompanied by screenings, is being organized. (Other masterclasses, not yet confirmed, may be added to this list.)

• François Ozon at Princeton
• Olivier Assayas at Columbia
• Claire Simon at the Lycée Français de New York
• Pascal Bonitzer at the Lycée Français de New York  

In terms of panels, a French in Motion event focusing on debut films has been organized with the Gotham Film & Media Institute, featuring director Pauline Loquès and producer Julie Billy. Also in attendance will be Hasan Hadi and Leah Chen Baker (TBC), the director and producer of the film The President's Cake.

Intros/Q&As with other institutions

• Arnaud Desplechin will present Shoah (Parts I & 2) at l'Alliance New York
• Olivier Assayas will present Demonlover, as well as The Rise of Louis XIV by Roberto Rossellini, at the Metrograph.
• Claire Simon will present I Want to Talk About Duras, as well as the documentary Public Housing by Frederick Wiseman, at the Metrograph

School screenings

Free school screenings will be organized for students from schools in the New York area, who are invited to come and see the following films: The Stranger, Case 137, Colours Of Time, and Writing Life - Annie Ernaux Through The Eyes Of High School Students.

Audience Award and Best Emerging Filmmaker Award

Voting for the seventh annual Rendez-Vous Audience Award will be open to all moviegoers attending the festival. A jury of six students pursuing film and French studies degrees from New York City colleges will choose their favorite feature for the Best Emerging Filmmaker Award, which calls attention to the unique views of emerging filmmakers and their interpretations of France’s new and diverse identities. The two awards will be announced shortly after the close of the festival.

Professional day

A professional day will be held on March 6 to facilitate meetings between French sellers and producers and American distributors and programmers. The day will begin with a session of presentations by a dozen international sellers of their upcoming French films, followed by a networking lunch. In the afternoon, French professionals will be able to participate in a panel discussion on production.

 

The 2026 selection

Opening Film

• The Stranger by François Ozon
   

Selection

• Case 137 by Dominik Moll
• Affection Affection by Maxime Matray and Alexia Walther
• Alpha by Julia Ducournau
• Two Pianos by Arnaud Desplechin
• Enzo by Robin Campillo
• The Money Maker by Jean-Paul Salomé
• The Girl in the Snow by Louise Hémon
• The Great Arch by Stéphane Demoustier
• L'Épreuve du feu by Aurélien Peyre
• The Little Sister by Hafsia Herzi
• Colours Of Time by Cédric Klapisch
• The Wizard of the Kremlin by Olivier Assayas
• Guess Who Is Calling? by Fabienne Godet
• Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet
• Maigret and the Dead Lover by Pascal Bonitzer
• Meteors by Hubert Charuel
• Nino by Pauline Loquès
• Hugo by Pascal Bonitzer
• At Work by Valérie Donzelli
• In a Whisper by Leyla Bouzid
• Writing Life - Annie Ernaux Through The Eyes Of High School Students by Claire Simon

Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York is supported by: TV5MONDE, la Villa Albertine / Ambassade de France in the United States, Région Occitanie, République Française, CNC, and PROCIREP. 

Film at Lincoln Center is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.

Unifrance would also like to thank the patrons of the Unifrance Endowment Fund: Accor (Grand Patron), BNP Paribas (Patron), and Maison Pommery & Associés (Patron).

To mark the broadcast, Léa Gabrié and Emmanuel Daucé, producers at Tetra Media Fiction (Groupe TM Studios), and Julia Schulte, Head of International Sales at France tv distribution, look back on this groundbreaking and highly committed project with strong international appeal. 

Unifrance: The series tackles feminicide and violence against women through the issue of collective responsibility, or even powerlessness, taking the form of a social thriller. What motivated you to take on this project? 

Léa GabriéLéa Gabrié & Emmanuel DaucéEmmanuel Daucé: This project, created by Marie Kremer and Frédéric Krivine, was essentially radical in nature. It took a fresh look at a subject we think we know all about. By hearing about it constantly on the radio, on the news, and in articles, we think we understand what violence against women and femicide are, but in reality there is a lack of information and underrepresentation. In carrying out this project with the support of France 2, the idea was not to shock, but neither was it to sugarcoat. There was a bias that could not leave anyone indifferent.

Julia Schulte Julia Schulte: At France tv distribution, we fully support the decision to tackle this social issue. Although it has been addressed before, it has never been done in this way in a series. The project won us over from the moment we read it, thanks to the high quality of its writing, and then completely captivated us when we watched it. It's a deeply moving drama, carried by powerful and gripping storytelling, as well as remarkable realism in the actors' performances and dialogue.

This issue affects societies around the world to varying degrees. Which aspects of the series do you think are most likely to resonate internationally?

Julia Schulte: Our European buyers, like us and the entire France tv group, are particularly committed to defending women's causes. In the series Laura’s Treatments, this dimension is all the more striking as it features a courageous woman who, in her own way, becomes a committed activist in this fight. Her actions raise genuine moral questions, spark heated debate, and offer real potential for audience engagement—in my opinion, this is one of the series' great strengths.

Léa Gabrié & Emmanuel Daucé: This series has already been well received abroad, as everyone can identify with Laura, an ordinary woman who rejects the unbearable, regardless of cultural circumstances. It reminds us of the Spanish series Querer or Maid in the United States. They deal with social issues with such delicacy and empathy that they revolt us as much as they move us.

Laura's character is an ordinary woman who is outraged by violence against women. Was this choice made to encourage audience identification, until the moment when she herself resorts to violence? 

Léa Gabrié & Emmanuel Daucé: Yes, you could say that, in a way, Laura is a France Télévisions viewer who witnesses a femicide and then finds herself powerless in the face of Camille's impending death... Like Laura, this viewer has no choice but to take action.

Laura is portrayed with sensitivity and accuracy by Valérie Bonneton, whom we discover here in a new light, far from her comedy roles. How did this casting choice come about? 

Léa Gabrié & Emmanuel Daucé: It was initially an idea from director Akim Isker, which immediately clicked with all of us: screenwriters, broadcasters, and producers. Valérie Bonneton, who has been a familiar face in French households for many years, particularly thanks to her role as Madame Lepic in Fais pas ci, fais pas ça, struck us as the perfect actress to play this woman who is so close to the audience and who can no longer tolerate violence against women. 

And we all had a feeling that Valérie, who's a terrific comedy actress, would demonstrate through this role that she is, quite simply, a great actress.

The series realistically depicts the daily lives of local women's support groups. Can you tell us about the research that went into the script and staging?

Léa Gabrié & Emmanuel Daucé: From the very early stages of writing, the writers contacted various organizations, and Marie Kremer attended several meetings with groups in Marseille. Then, to prepare for filming, Akim Isker met with groups such as Inform’elles in Metz and Arélia Asso in Nancy, the cities where we shot the series. Some of the women from these organizations ended up acting in the series, within the organization Laura creates, Women Standing Tall.

Available since January 22, 2026 on HBO Max (France, Belgium), then on france.tv from February 19, 2026, how has the series been received so far and what are your international ambitions? 

Julia Schulte: We're very proud of our partnership with HBO Max for Laura’s Treatments, which is further proof of the series' quality and originality. It has already been sold to several particularly demanding European broadcasters, and we are convinced that it has strong potential to appeal to both linear broadcasters, public and private, and platforms (announcements to follow...).

Léa Gabrié & Emmanuel Daucé: The series has been received in a way we have rarely seen before. We are fortunate to have the support of a very positive press, from all sides and all walks of life, which shows that this subject transcends divisions. Since its broadcast on HBO, the public has been sharing extremely moving testimonials, which are likely to increase with its free-to-air release on the France Télévisions platform. 

© Raoul Gilibert - France Télévisions - Tétramédia

No fewer than 154 French films or films co-produced with France were screened in most of the festival's strands, including:

• 51 in National Competition
• 18 in International Competition
• 8 in Lab Competition
• 4 works in XR Competition, the latest addition to the competition strands

All the French titles presented during the 48th festival can be found here

Alongside National, International, and Lab Competitions, films aimed at young audiences and a number of other bold, inventive works are presented in special or themed programs, including a Southeast Asian panorama featuring Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites (a US/France/Cambodia co-production), which has been selected for numerous international festivals and won an award in 2025 at Sundance.

We would also like to highlight the Carte Blanche awarded to Don Quichotte Films, winner of the Procirep Prize in 2025. Established in 1997, this prize recognizes outstanding work in the sector.

This year the nominees for the same prize were: Barney Production, Kidam, Punchline Cinéma, and Yukunkun Productions.

🏆 Palmares 🏆

• Grand prix compétition nationale : Intersecting Memory by Shayma' Awawdeh
• Grand prix compétition internationale : Bleu Heart by Samuel Suffren
• Grand prix compétition labo : God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles
• Prix spécial du jury compétition nationale : Bread and Games by Léa Tarral & Judith Longuet-Marx
• Prix spécial du jury compétition labo : L'mina by Randa Maroufi
• Prix du public compétition nationale : Please Hold by Solal Bouloudnine
• Prix du public compétition labo : Sixty-Seven Milliseconds by fleuryfontaine, Galdric Fleury, Antoine Fontaine
• Prix SACD de la meilleure première ou deuxième œuvre de fiction : Beneath the Ruins by Nadhir Bouslama
• Prix SACD de la meilleure animation francophone : Sulaimani by Vinnie Ann Bose
• Prix SACEM de la meilleure musique originale : Amélie Bonfils for the film Curiosity on Planet Mars by Tommy Baron
• Prix Canal+ : Please Hold by Solal Bouloudnine
• Prix d'interprétation compétition nationale : Marie Denys for the film Fanny at the Beach de Raphaëlle Petit-Gille
• Prix étudiant national : Murs by Basile Charpentier
• Prix étudiant international : Bleat! by Ananth Subramaniam
• Prix du rire Fernand Raynaud : Bread and Games by Léa Tarral, Judith Longuet-Marx
• Prix du Queer métrage : Birthmark by George Peter Barbari
• Prix Festivals Connexion : Sixty-Seven Milliseconds by fleuryfontaine, Galdric Fleury, Antoine Fontaine
• Prix des effets spéciaux : Um by Nieto
• Prix Procirep du producteur de courts-métrages : Kidam
• Mention spéciale du jury étudiant national : Intersecting Memory by Shayma' Awawdeh
• Mention spéciale du jury étudiant labo : The Man in White by Aman

The international Market

The 41st Market, an essential networking event, were held from Monday, February 2 to Thursday, February 5 at the iconic Fleury Gymnasium. Its primary mission is to support, structure, and energize global film production. Historically present in this context, Unifrance hosted the following 12 international sales companies and organizations at its booth, which is open to all its members: L'Agence du court métrage, Autour de Minuit, Cinestrib Distribution, Fløw, La Kourmétragerie, La Luna Distribution, Manifest, Miyu Distribution, Next Film Distribution, oriGine films, Salaud Morisset, and Shortcuts.

Unifrance also supported artists and professionals from the immersive world, whose presence at the Market for the second consecutive year with the XR Corner attracted those most curious about a universe that is steadily growing in scope, giving it an undeniable place in today's film landscape. 

Unifrance's presence

During the week of the world's largest short film market, Unifrance's activities focused on key events designed to promote exchanges and build bridges between French and foreign professionals.

Tuesday, February 3

9.30am – 11.30am: Networking breakfast
In partnership with TitraFilm, and with the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles Images, Sodec, and Swiss Films
By invitation only

3.30pm – 4.30pm: Unifrance round-table
"Catalog/heritage short films: what happens after their initial release?”

Speakers: Clément Bigot (L'Agence du court métrage), Lucie Canistro (Sooner), Anne Luthaud (GREC - Groupe de Recherches et d'Essais Cinématographiques), Nina Rebel-Faure (Nina Rebel-Faure)
Moderator: Laurence Reymond (Unifrance)
Venue: Hôtel Radisson (formerly Kyriad Prestige) – Salon Coubertin
Free admission

Wednesday, February 4

9.30am – 11.30am: Networking breakfast
In partnersip with TitraFilm, and the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles Images (WBI), Sodec, and SWISS FILMS
By invitation only

3.30pm – 4.30pm – Unifrance Presentation
“Unifrance programs and distribution figures for short films around the world”
Moderators: Tiziana D'Egidio and Laurence Reymond
Speakers: Andréa Goncalves (Manifest) – Luigi Loy (Sacrebleu Productions)
Free admission

To consult the list of the main Market events: https://www.shortfilmwire.com/fr/2026/evenements
 

On the audiovisual front

Señal News announced the creation by Xilam Animation of two new seasons of Zig & Sharko, the animated series for children.
➡️ Read the article online
 

C21 published an interview with Julien Borde in which he discussed Mediawan's trends for 2026 and the challenges AI presents. 
➡️ Read the article online
 

In Greece, the daily Ta Nea published an Interview with Marc Azema and Gilles Padovani, directors of the documentary Chauvet, Humanity's First Great Masterpiece.
➡️ Read the article online

And in Poland, Swiat Seriali published an interview with Lucas Bravo, in which he referred, among other things, to his collaboration with Nicolas Maury.
➡️ Read the article online

Benjamin Charbit explained in El País the genesis of the Zorro series, available in Spain on AMC+.
➡️ Read the article online

On the festivals and awards front

January was a busy month for French cinema and audiovisual media, with numerous awards and events.

Señal News reported on Export Day as part of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris.
➡️ Read the article online

Variety announced the winner of the Unifrance Distribution Prize: the American distributor Janus Films...
➡️ Read the article online
 

... as well as the members of 10 to Watch 2026.
➡️ Read the article online

Kinótico highlighted the film that reaped most accolades at the Lumière Awards: The Stranger by François Ozon.
➡️ Read the article online

And Deadline drew attention to Butterfly by Florence Miailhe, nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.
➡️ Read the article online

And in foreign movie theaters…

In Quebec, La Presse focused on The Voice of Hind Rajab and published an interview with the film's director, Kaouther Ben Hania.
➡️ Read the article online

In Switzerland, ARCinfo wrote about the film The Wizard of the Kremlin: "A gripping thriller with a stellar cast."
➡️ Read the article online
 

In the United States, Rogert Ebert.com threw the spotlight on Rebecca Zlotowski in an interview, following the release of A Private Life in the country.
➡️ Read the article online

In Estonia, the cultural magazine Sirp published a fine portrait of Anna Cazenave Cambet for the release of Love Me Tender.
➡️ Read the article online

We end this roundup in Spain, with the release of Nouvelle Vague and the glowing article in the daily Diario de Sevilla about the film: "The joy of living and of making movies." 
➡️ Read the article online