The annual French Film Festival is back, and for 2025, we are showered with 13 carefully curated films that will put smiles on all cinephiles’ faces. Co-organised by the Alliances Françaises de Malaisie and the French Embassy in Malaysia, the festival celebrates its 23rd year in Malaysia with an expansion, now showing not just in Kuala Lumpur, but also in Penang, Johor Bharu and Kuching, from 15 May to 1 June, depending on which state you are residing in.
Adopting a new format, the 2025 French Film Festival has grown into something much bigger—a nine-month-long celebration. The film festival is now a part of the Le French Festival. Doused with everything à la française, Le French Festival bring us closer to the major cultural hub that has significantly influenced and shaped the current high and popular culture globally, from literature to music, and of course, cinema. For decades, the French cinema has been leading with not only its momentous presence in the industry but also earning accolades at major film events such as the Academy Awards. That being said, Flow—the animated adventure film that took home the 97th Academy Award for Best Animated Feature—will also be shown at this film festival.
From tear-jerking heartfelt dramas to horrors that will keep you on the edge of your seat, the lineup for the film festival is simply magnifique.
Sugar and Stars (A la belle étoile)
Opening the film festival is Sugar and Stars, the debut feature of Sébastien Tulard, who was an assistant director with hit French comedies under his belt. The film revolves around the inspiring true story of Yazid Ichemrahen, an underdog who overcomes a rough childhood with his unwavering passion for pastries and later becomes a world-class pastry chef. Expect a whirlwind of emotions and pastry-making scenes that would make your mouth water. After all, who can resist French pastries?
The Marching Band (En fanfare)
Following the story of Thibaut, a globally-known maestro who, after learning that he was adopted, reconnected with his biological brother Jimmy, who is a casual trombone player in a marching band in northern France. Zooming into the bittersweet lives of the brothers, the luminous film put forth an important message: music, as a universal language, shatters barriers like societal divisions. With an impressive list of soundtracks that consists of stunning rearrangements of classical numbers, the film will keep you on your seat, even after the long post-credits.
Flow (Flow, le chat qui n’avait plus peur de l’eau)
For a lean team with a small budget, self-taught animator and filmmaker, Gints Zilbalodis, earns a remarkable haul of prizes with the film. The visually pleasing story follows the adventure of a cat as it stays afloat amid the disastrous environmental changes in what seems like a post-apocalyptic world. A plus point is how the animals are portrayed—like how they are—using real animals’ voices instead of voice actors, without relying on dialogue or personification to evoke emotions and tell the story.
The Count of Monte Cristo (Le Comte de Monte-Cristo)
If historical fiction is your go-to genre, The Count of Monte Cristo is right up your alley. An adaptation of the classic novel by French author Alexandre Dumas—who also wrote The Three Musketeers—the three-hour-long film will make you sit on pins and needles with bated breath. Following the young sailor—played by the celebrated French actor Pierre Niney—who, after being falsely imprisoned, returns and seeks revenge as the Count of Monte Cristo. Plunging us into a realm of betrayal, vengeance, and justice, the compelling film is a must-watch, especially if you are looking for that adrenaline pump.
Rosalie
A poetic period film, Rosalie unfolds a poignant story of a woman with a beard (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) who is determined to embrace her natural self, resist conformity and challenge the societal norms in the 1870s—easier said than done. Directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto, Rosalie is based loosely on the life of the famous 20th-century “bearded lady”, Clémentine Delait. Set against the scenic Brittany countryside, the cinematic film captures Rosalie’s journey to self-acceptance, a delicate and gentle piece with, unfortunately, a tragic undertone.
A Little Something Extra (Un p’tit truc en plus)
It’s not hard to see why A Little Something Extra is a French box-office phenomenon—one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Starring a cast of mostly non-professional disabled actors, the film is a heartwarming debut feature by the popular French comedian, Artus. As the notorious criminal and his son escape from the police after a jewel heist, the duo find refuge in a summer camp for young adults with disabilities. The unexpected journey leads them to an experience that will change them—and us, the audience—forever.
The tickets for the French Film Festival will be available to book from 8 May onwards on www.gsc.com.my or through the e-kiosks in participating GSC cinemas.
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