Approximately fifteen films are scheduled for the upcoming Gérardmer Film Festival (from 7 to 10 April), which will host about ten teams, including actresses Cécile de France, Alexandra Lamy, Rheem Kherici, actor Jérémie Renier, and several directors including Japanese filmmaker Ryota Nakano.
While a Spring Cinema event takes place in March in all theaters across France, another spring rendezvous is organized in April in the Vosges to the great delight of cinema lovers. For three decades now, the Gérardmer Film Festival has been preparing a great program for its audience, delighted to discover about fifteen films, all presented as premieres before their release in theaters in the following weeks and months.
Organized by the Tourist Office and Image’Est, the 28th Festival will take place from 7 to 10 April 2026, at the Gérardmer Casino Cinema, with an attractive selection of French and foreign films, both mainstream and arthouse. Intended for professionals, especially cinema operators from eastern France and beyond, this event is also open to the public who can attend all screenings at a preferential rate (6.50 euros per screening, 16 euros for a day pass, 39 euros for the festival pass).
“The French Comedy”, awarded at Alpe d’Huez
About ten film teams are announced in the Vosges, including actress Cécile de France who will come with director Sophie Beaulieu to present “La Poupée”, a character who lives with a creature played by Vincent Macaigne. Another comedy, “Pour le plaisir”, will be presented by actress-director Rheem Kherici and Alexandra Lamy, as a wife in search of orgasm with the help of her handyman husband played by François Cluzet.
A few years ago, the audience in Gérardmer had discovered the delightful “Famille Asada” by Japanese filmmaker Ryota Nakano, who will be present for his new film “Mon grand-frère et moi”, a tender work on family and mourning. Co-directors Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat will present the excellent comedy “The French Comedy”, multi-awarded at the Alpe d’Huez Festival, entirely shot in the famous institution with actors who are part of it. Another comedy, “Deviens génial”, presented by director Léo Grandperret with Manu Payet in the lead role.
A drama about adoption, “Fils de personne” directed by Safy Nebbou, with Romain Duris, will be presented by the filmmaker. Also, the dramatic film “L’Étrangère” by Syrian director Gaya Jiji, featuring Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Best Actress Award at Cannes) as a refugee.
Tracing the Struthof camp
Actor Jérémie Renier will come as a director to present “D’un monde à l’autre”, a documentary he shot during his expedition on the ice with explorer Loury, who will accompany him in the Vosges. Another documentary, also filmed in the region, “La Ligne bleue” by Marie Dumora, traces the history of the Struthof concentration camp set up by the Nazis, near the Alsatian village of Natzviller.
Also on the program of these Film Festival, two Spanish films, “Sorda” by Eva Liberted Garcia which offers a “strong and powerful” take on deafness, and “Trois adieux” drama by Isabel Coixet; two Italian films, “Une année italienne” by Laura Samani and “Vivaldi et moi” by Damiano Michieletto, which will delight classical music enthusiasts; and “Seuls les rebelles” by Lebanese filmmaker Danielle Arbid, featuring Hiam Abbass as a widow who falls in love with a young Sudanese man.
Patrick TARDIT
28th Gérardmer Film Festival, from 7 to 10 April 2026. Passes available at the Gérardmer Tourist Office. Complete program: www.rencontres-du-cinema.com
