CANNES: Cinema – The 11th Chinese Film Festival in France takes place on the Côte d’Azur – Press Agency

The 11th edition of the Chinese Cinema Festival in France, from May 10 to June 30, will stop in Cannes and Antibes with a rich selection.

The Chinese Cinema Festival in France (FCCF) returns for its 11th edition from May 10 to June 30, 2026, affirming its role as a cultural bridge between the two nations. Co-organized by the China Cultural Center in Paris, the China Cinema Administration and the Pathé group, the event will take place in around ten French cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and will make a notable stopover on the Côte d’Azur with screenings planned in Cannes and in Antibes. This major event aims to offer the French public a panorama of the richness and diversity of Chinese 7th art. HAS” Since its birth, the Festival has been a window through which the French public discovers and gets closer to an authentic and plural China.and », highlighted by Deng Li, Ambassador of China to France.

An eclectic program

The 2026 selection is structured around four main sections: New Releases, Classic Films, Documentaries and Virtual Cinema. The festival promises a complete immersion in contemporary production, with a majority of films never before seen in France. Among the highlights, the public will discover *Scare Out*, the new spy thriller by internationally renowned director Zhang Yimou, which has already established itself as a major success at the Chinese box office. The program also includes various works such as the historical film *The Lychee Road*, the poignant drama *Viva la vida* or the animated film *Curious Tales of a Temple*. At the same time, a heritage section will highlight restored masterpieces, such as *The Divine* (1934), an emblematic film silent cinema with the icon Ruan Lingyu, and *Spring in a Small Town* (1948). A thematic exhibition, “Journey through 120 years of light and shadow of Chinese cinema “, will complete this cultural offer.

Zhang Yimou, exceptional ambassador

A leading figure in the “fifth generation” of Chinese filmmakers, Zhang Yimou is the ambassador of this 11th edition. Director awarded the highest international distinctions, including a Golden Bear in Berlin for *Le Sorghum rouge* (1988) and two Golden Lions in Venice, his presence underlines the prestige of the event. He is accompanied by French directors Jean-Jacques Annaud and Anne Fontaine, as well as actress Isabelle Huppert as guest of honor, illustrating the strength of Franco-Chinese cinematic ties. “We enthusiastically hope that this solid partnership will soon open the way to real opportunities for collaboration » a déclaré Ardavan Safaee, Président de Pathé Films et coprésident du festival.

Reflection of a booming film market

According to Noël Garino, artistic advisor of the festival, this selection is the perfect reflection of the vitality of Chinese cinema. The year 2025 was marked by a strong comeback, with the domestic box office increasing by more than 22%, reaching 51.8 billion yuan. Animated cinema dominated the market, representing nearly 49% of revenues, driven by phenomenal successes. This dynamic contrasts with the sluggishness of many international markets and testifies to the creative power of an industry where nearly 80% of the films seen by the public are local productions.

Practical information

The festival will take place from May 10 to June 30, 2026. The detailed program for the different cities, including Cannes, Antibes, Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Brest, Toulouse, Montargis, as well as Reunion Island and New Caledonia, will be available on the event’s official website : cinechine.org.