The ニューヨーク ランデブー・今日のフランス映画, an annual French cinema showcase in the アメリカ合衆国, organized by Film at Lincoln Center in collaboration with Unifrance, will showcase 22 films from March 5 to 15, 2026. The selection gives pride of place to films presented at the Cannes, Venice and Locarno film festivals, and includes numerous North American, American, and New York premieres. Around twenty directors and actors are expected to present their films and meet with New York audiences.
The opening night of Rendez-Vous will feature the New York premiere of The Stranger, フランソワ オゾン's adaptation of Albert Camus' iconic novel. 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): フランソワ オゾン, Julia Ducournau, Olivier Assayas, Pascal Bonitzer, Anna Cazenave-Cambet, Salif Cissé, Arnaud Desplechin, Valérie Donzelli （ヴァレリー・ドンゼッリ）, 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.)
- フランソワ オゾン 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 the Alliance Française
- 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
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 （ヴァレリー・ドンゼッリ）
- 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).
