Our annual festival of new work by rising voices from around the Francophone world returns to the AFS Cinema on Thursday, November 20–Sunday, November 23. A partnership between AFS, the 400 Coups Cinema and Premiers Plans Festival both of Angers, France (Austin’s French sister city), Villa Albertine, and Cultural Services of the French Embassy.
Festival passes are available for New French Cinema Week at a 20% off discount from the list price of individual tickets. Passes include admission into all six screenings and the opening-night reception. AFS Members receive additional discounts on passes and individual tickets.
The 2025 New French Cinema Week Lineup
Opening Night: NINO
Thursday, November 20, 8 PM
Director Pauline Loquès joins us in person for one of the first US screenings of her debut feature, which is now a critically-acclaimed box office hit in France. NINO tells the story of three important days in the life of a young Parisian man after he receives a critical diagnosis. Jury prize winner of Cannes Critics’ Week 2025.
Ticket holders for this screening will be invited to an opening-night reception prior to NINO from 7 to 8 PM in the AFS Cinema lobby with complimentary light bites.
THE GIRL IN THE SNOW
Friday, November 21, 7:30 PM
At the end of the 19th century, a young primary school teacher travels to a remote Alpine region to establish the first school in an ancient mountain town. As new, worldly views collide with the villagers’ culture and elaborate mythology, a natural disaster divides the town. Louise Hémon’s debut feature takes the audience on a surprising ride and powerfully confronts the spectre of gender and sexuality in cultural mythmaking. A selection of the 2025 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section. A pre-recorded Q&A with Louise Hémon will follow the screening.
THE TIES THAT BIND US
Saturday, November 22, 4:30 PM
In this beautifully sophisticated and affecting drama about redefining family, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi delivers a profound performance as a single, fiercely independent intellectual who becomes embroiled in the neighbors’ family tragedy.
GHOST TRAIL
Saturday, November 22, 7:30 PM
A timely and heart-wrenching thriller based on the actual experiences of Syrian refugees, GHOST TRAIL tells the story of Hamid, a young Syrian man part of a clandestine network attempting to locate and persecute Syrian war criminals in Europe. Nominated for two César Awards.
NEW FRENCH SHORTS
Sunday, November 23, 3:00 PM
Our program of short films presents this year’s top Francophone festival favorites in a variety of genres and styles.
THE LITTLE SISTER
Sunday, November 23, 6:00 PM
A heart-pounding tale of desire and self-restraint from actor-turned-director Hafsia Herzi. Star Nadia Melliti won the best actress prize at Cannes 2025 for her performance as Fatima, the youngest sister in an Algerian-French household who begins to discover her queer identity.
Thanks to our festival partners
