A “cultural bridge” between the two countries. From April 7 to 15, 2026, the Rendez-Vous festival returns to Rome. Supported by the French Embassy in Italy, the French Institute Italia, and co-organized with Unifrance, the event highlights the vitality of contemporary French cinema, featuring established names, emerging talents, and unique perspectives. For its 16th edition, the festival will kick off in Rome on April 7, with screenings at the Nuovo Sacher cinema and the Centre Saint-Louis. The festival will then spread to several Italian cities thanks to its partner theaters: from Turin to Palermo, Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Naples.
Isabelle Huppert as Guest of Honor
The official poster draws inspiration this year from the film “La femme la plus riche du monde” by Thierry Klifa, starring Isabelle Huppert. A major figure in contemporary cinema and theater, the actress will be the guest of honor at this edition and will attend the opening night in Rome, where the film – presented at the Cannes Film Festival – will be screened. She portrays a powerful heiress, at the center of a reflection on power mechanisms. Director Thierry Klifa and the Franco-Italian actress Marina Foïs will also accompany this presentation, followed by another screening of the film in Bologna on April 9. The film is set to release in Italian theaters on April 16.
Telling the Story of Society
From intimate narratives to thrillers, the 2026 program explores societal issues through a wide range of genres. “Dossier 137,” the latest film by Dominik Moll, stands out as one of the most anticipated films in the selection. After receiving the César des Lycéens on March 2, the political thriller will be presented in a premiere screening, attended by the team, on April 9 in Rome, before its release in Italian cinemas on April 16. The film, starring Léa Drucker – winner of the 2026 César for Best Actress – immerses viewers in a hyper-realistic investigation of police violence: Dossier 137 tells the story of a young man injured in the head by a flash-ball during Yellow Vest protests, under investigation by the IGPN – the police oversight body.
Artistic director Vanessa Tonnini has also selected “Love Me Tender,” a drama adapted from Constance Debray’s book and starring Vicky Krieps. In her second feature film, Anna Cazenave Cambet portrays a mother facing separation from her son after her ex-husband discovers her relationships with women. The battle to maintain a connection with her child begins.
To close the festival, “C’était mieux demain” by Vinciane Millereau will be screened on April 11 in Rome. In this delicate narrative of reconstruction, Elsa Zylberstein – present at the screening – embodies a woman forced to redefine her life. The film will be released in Italy on June 18.
An Edition Focused on Youth
Among the new features of this edition is the establishment of a Youth Jury, composed of students from five Italian universities, tasked with awarding a debut or second work.
The traditional Palatine Prize is also being continued: awarded by a jury of over 3,000 Italian high school students, it honors a film selected and presented in collaboration with the festival. The film chosen this year, “Partir un jour” by Amélie Bonnin, will be shown at dedicated screenings in thirteen cities. The director’s debut feature explores the pivotal moment when one decides to leave behind a life – or a version of oneself – to invent a new one. The work particularly addresses a young audience, exploring themes of emancipation, transitioning to adulthood, and the search for meaning.
Lastly, a family section will be reintroduced at the Centre Saint-Louis, while a new partnership with the La Sapienza University in Rome will allow cinema students to engage in discussions with film teams, fostering dialogue between creators and the public.
The complete program for each city can be found on the website. Reservations are now open.
