Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême 2027 – Angoulême, France

Overview

The Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême 2027 will take place from Monday 23 August to Saturday 28 August 2027 in Angoulême, in southwestern France. The festival, commonly known as the FFA, celebrates French-language cinema through premieres, competition screenings, meetings with filmmakers and actors, masterclasses, special events and programmes dedicated to established and emerging talent.

Founded in 2008 by Marie-France Brière and Dominique Besnehard, the festival has developed into one of Angoulême’s major annual cultural events. Its programme focuses on contemporary francophone cinema while also looking at films from the past and giving attention to new filmmakers and future talent.

The festival takes place throughout the city rather than being confined to one cinema complex. Screenings and events have traditionally occupied cinemas, theatres, cultural venues and public spaces, allowing visitors to experience Angoulême while moving between different parts of the programme.

What Makes This Festival Special

One of the defining features of the FFA is its emphasis on films before their wider theatrical release. The festival has become an important meeting point between audiences, filmmakers, actors, producers and distributors, with many films receiving significant attention in Angoulême before reaching cinemas more broadly.

The festival also has a strong public-facing character. It is not exclusively an industry event: cinema enthusiasts can attend screenings, meet film teams and take part in events around the city. The combination of premieres, competition films, outdoor screenings and conversations gives the week a mixture of film festival atmosphere and summer city festival energy.

Angoulême itself contributes to the identity of the event. The city is already internationally associated with visual culture through its long-established connection with comics and illustration, while the FFA brings the focus toward moving images during the final part of August.

Films & Featured Programme

The 2027 film selection has not yet been announced. The official festival website currently confirms the dates but does not yet provide the 2027 competition lineup or complete programme.

A typical FFA programme combines films competing for the festival’s Valois awards with premieres, special screenings, retrospectives, short films, outdoor cinema and events involving actors, directors and other members of film crews. Previous editions have also included cinema-focused masterclasses, professional meetings and special programmes around particular francophone countries or cinematic themes.

The festival’s recent selections demonstrate the geographical breadth of francophone cinema. Films have come not only from France but also from countries and territories across the wider French-speaking world, including Belgium, Canada, African countries and other francophone regions.

Visitors should wait for the official 2027 programme before planning individual screenings because the film titles, screening times, venues and guest appearances can only be confirmed once the festival publishes its selection.

Festival Experience

During the festival, Angoulême becomes closely connected with cinema. Film teams regularly appear around screening venues, while audiences move between cinemas and cultural spaces throughout the day. Some events are designed specifically around encounters with filmmakers and actors, giving visitors opportunities to experience films beyond the screening itself.

The FFA has also developed outdoor programming as part of its public atmosphere. Previous editions have included open-air cinema and public events, helping bring the festival into the city’s squares and outdoor spaces rather than keeping everything inside traditional theatres.

The festival is also known for its red-carpet-style public encounters. In the 2026 edition, for example, the official programme included several evenings when actors, directors and film teams appeared in front of the CGR before their films. The 2027 guest schedule will be announced separately.

Date & Schedule

The 2027 festival will run for six days, from 23 to 28 August 2027. These dates are already displayed on the official FFA website.

The detailed daily schedule has not yet been released. Based on previous editions, visitors can expect screenings throughout the daytime and evening, with premieres, competition screenings, special programmes and meetings distributed across several venues.

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Location & Venues

The festival takes place in Angoulême, the capital of the Charente department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Rather than operating from one single venue, the FFA uses a network of cinemas and cultural locations around the city.

Recent festival programmes have included the CGR Angoulême, Cinéma de la Cité, Espace Franquin, Le Nil, the Théâtre d’Angoulême and other locations. Previous outdoor programmes have also used public squares and open-air locations.

This multi-venue format means that visitors should check the location of each screening carefully. A full-day pass does not necessarily mean every event takes place in the same building, and some special events can require separate reservations.

Festival History

The Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême was established in 2008 by Marie-France Brière and Dominique Besnehard. From the beginning, its purpose was to create a major late-summer event dedicated to French-language cinema while connecting professionals with a broad public.

Over the years, the festival has presented films that subsequently achieved significant theatrical audiences. The official festival archive highlights titles including Intouchables, La guerre est déclarée, Les garçons et Guillaume, à table !, Hippocrate, Petit paysan, Boîte noire and Aline among films that made an important appearance in Angoulême.

The festival’s award system is centred on the Valois, named in reference to the historical Valois connection with Angoulême. Awards have included the Valois de diamant, Valois du public, Valois de la mise en scène, Valois de l’acteur, Valois de l’actrice, Valois du scénario and Valois de la musique de film, among others.

Awards & Competitions

Competition is an important part of the FFA programme. Selected francophone films compete for several Valois awards, with prizes recognising different aspects of filmmaking and performance.

The Valois de diamant is one of the festival’s principal awards, while the Valois du public gives the audience a direct role in the festival’s awards programme. There is also a Valois des Étudiant.e.s Francophones, supported by the Département de la Charente, along with awards for acting, direction, screenplay, music and other filmmaking categories.

The exact number of films competing and the 2027 jury composition have not yet been announced. Visitors interested in the competition should therefore check the official programme once the selection is published.

Special Screenings, Masterclasses & Events

The FFA programme extends beyond conventional film screenings. Previous editions have included masterclasses, round tables, discussions with professionals, cinema concerts, special outdoor screenings and meetings connected with particular films.

Professional networking is also part of the festival. The 2026 edition introduced the “Entre deux séances” programme for young film professionals, creating opportunities for emerging people in the industry to meet, discuss projects and build professional relationships.

The festival can therefore appeal to different types of visitors. A general audience member can concentrate on premieres and public screenings, while film students and industry professionals can add masterclasses, meetings and professional events to their programme.

Getting to the Festival

Angoulême is connected to other major French cities by rail, making the train a practical option for visitors travelling from Paris, Bordeaux and other parts of France. The city’s railway station is close enough to the central area to make walking and local transport useful for festival visitors.

Once in Angoulême, the multi-venue nature of the festival means that walking can be particularly convenient for locations in and around the historic centre. Some screenings may require a longer journey, so checking the venue listed on each ticket is important.

For visitors arriving by car, accommodation with parking can be useful because festival periods bring additional demand into the city. Booking a hotel in central Angoulême can reduce the need to move the car repeatedly during the day.

Where to Stay Nearby

Staying in central Angoulême gives visitors convenient access to many festival locations, restaurants and public spaces. It can also make it easier to return to your accommodation between screenings rather than spending large parts of the day travelling.

Hotels and guesthouses around the city centre are particularly useful for visitors planning a full festival schedule. Demand can increase during the FFA because the event attracts both the general public and film professionals.

Another option is to stay farther from the centre in the wider Charente area and commute into Angoulême. This can provide more accommodation choices, although visitors should allow additional time for travel when scheduling screenings.

Things to Do Before or After the Festival

Angoulême is particularly well known for its connection with comics and illustration. Visitors with time outside the film programme can explore the city’s comic-themed public art, museums and cultural institutions.

The Musée de la Bande Dessinée is located beside the Charente and forms part of Angoulême’s permanent cultural identity. Its exhibitions explore the history and development of comics, making it a natural addition to a film-focused visit for travellers interested in visual storytelling.

The historic centre is also worth exploring on foot. Angoulême’s elevated old town includes historic streets, viewpoints and architectural landmarks, while the surrounding Charente landscape offers opportunities for a quieter break from the busy festival schedule.

Restaurants & Local Food

Angoulême’s city centre provides a range of cafés, bakeries, restaurants and casual dining options within walking distance of several festival venues. This is useful during the FFA because visitors often have relatively short gaps between screenings.

The Charente region is also associated with local products and traditional French cuisine. Visitors staying for several days can use the festival as an opportunity to explore regional restaurants rather than relying entirely on quick meals between films.

During the festival, it is sensible to plan restaurant reservations around the films you most want to see. Evening screenings, ceremonies and public events can make the busiest dining periods particularly difficult without advance planning.

Ticket Information & Access

2027 ticket prices and the detailed ticketing system have not yet been published. The official website currently confirms the 2027 dates but has not released the full programme and associated ticketing information.

Previous editions have used individual tickets and festival access options, while certain masterclasses and special events have required reservations. The exact 2027 combination of passes, individual screenings and reservation requirements should therefore be checked when the official ticket office opens.

Outdoor and public events have also formed part of previous FFA programmes, with some activities available without the same reservation requirements as cinema screenings. The access conditions can differ from one event to another, so visitors should read the information attached to each programme item.

Tips Before You Go

If you plan to attend several screenings each day, build your schedule around the venue locations, not only the film times. Angoulême’s festival programme is spread across multiple cinemas and cultural spaces, and allowing a little time between sessions can prevent unnecessary rushing.

August can be warm in southwestern France, so comfortable clothing, water and sun protection can be useful when moving between indoor cinemas and outdoor events. Evening outdoor screenings can feel cooler, particularly if you remain outside for several hours.

It is also worth checking whether a particular screening is marked as requiring reservation. Popular premieres and events involving film teams can fill quickly, so waiting until the last minute may leave fewer choices.

Official Event Information

The official FFA website is the main source for the 2027 programme, competition selection, jury announcements, guests, tickets, venues and daily schedules. The website currently confirms the 23–28 August 2027 dates.

Official Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême website: https://filmfrancophone.fr/

Angoulême’s municipal website also provides information about the festival and its role in the city’s cultural calendar.