Focus on French Cinema celebrates its 21st edition. Presented by the Alliance Française of Greenwich, in partnership with The Bruce, this landmark season brings audiences an exclusive showcase of U.S. Premieres in French and Francophone cinema.
From January – May 2026, discover extraordinary films and visionary storytellers, all presented in French with English subtitles.
Joe Meyers, Director of Programming, Focus on French Cinema
Renée Amory Ketcham, Director of Focus on French Cinema
Focus on French Cinema will open on Sunday, January 11 , 2026 with ‘Les Musiciens,’ “a beautiful and deeply satisfying movie that feels like a new classic notes Joe Meyers, Focus on French Cinema’s Director of Programming.”
The film follows four world renowned musicians working on a new and difficult composition. But no synopsis can do justice to this captivating story of fulfilling a wealthy benefactor’s dream of having this piece played on four very rare and priceless Stradivarius instruments. What might sound esoteric becomes highly emotional as the quartet forces all the characters to reassess their lives as artists.
In addition to in-person screenings at The Bruce Museum, Focus on French Cinema will continue its hybrid format, offering a curated selection of films online following their theatrical presentations. These exclusive premieres, unavailable on any other platform during the festival period, recreate an authentic festival experience for viewers. All films will be screened in French with English subtitles.
“With the steady decline of French theatrical releases in the U.S., the mission of Focus on French Cinema is more important than ever,” said Joe Meyers, Director of Programming. “Without festivals like ours, audiences would have few opportunities to experience the latest in French-language filmmaking. The majority of the films we’ve showcased in recent years have yet to secure U.S. theatrical distribution.”
Meyers continued, “The COVID shutdown in 2020 and the loss of our longtime Greenwich venue were very scary developments at first, but it inspired us to explore new ways of connecting with audiences. Our first online festival in 2021 was a big gamble that turned into an enormous success, introducing thousands of new viewers to FFC. Partnerships with
The Bruce Museum, Greenwich Library, and the Greenwich Arts Council have since provided wonderful venues for screenings and discussions.”
“Focus on French Cinema celebrated a major milestone in 2024—20 years of showcasing the richness and diversity of French and Francophone cinema,” said Renée Amory Ketcham, Festival Director and Co-Founder. “Our annual audience of over 6,000 viewers stands as a testament to our continued success and cultural impact.”
Looking ahead, Meyers added, “I’m excited for the 21st edition of Focus on French Cinema—a hybrid event extending over several months, culminating in a new spring online edition. We are as devoted to French Cinema as ever and can’t wait to share the best in contemporary Francophone films with our community”
For more information on FFC 2026, click here.