Malaga French Film Festival 2026: Dates, Programme and Tickets
The 32nd Festival de Cine Francés de Malaga brings a week of francophone cinema, Spanish premieres, live music, exhibitions and family activities to venues across Malaga from 16 to 23 October 2026.
First, its official name is best left in Spanish, but in English it simply means the Malaga French Film Festival. The Alliance Française de Malaga organises the festival, Spain’s longest-running event dedicated to French-language cinema and one of the city’s major autumn cultural highlights.
Malaga French Film Festival essentials
- Main festival dates: Friday 16 to Friday 23 October 2026
- Early events: special documentary screening on 13 October and the opening of La voz de Gaza on 14 October
- Main venue: Cine Albéniz, Calle Alcazabilla 4
- Other venues: Alliance Française de Malaga, Teatro Cánovas, Ateneo de Malaga, Centre Pompidou Malaga, Escuela de Arte San Telmo, La Térmica and Cines Yelmo
- Language: films are shown in their original language with Spanish subtitles (VOSE); English subtitles are not advertised
- Tickets: from €7 for the Official Selection; several activities are free
- Official programme: view the full programme and screening times
2026 Malaga French Film Festival highlights
The 2026 theme is Révolution du regard — “a revolution in the way we look”. Meanwhile, the Official Selection features 13 films from France and other francophone territories, including Québec, Belgium, Switzerland, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. Moreover, ten titles compete, seven mark feature-film debuts and several will receive their Spanish premiere in Malaga.
For example, the opening gala takes place at Cine Albéniz on 16 October at 7.30pm with the Spanish premiere of De la Comédie Française. Moreover, other highlights include Jupiter, Invisibles, Le Corset, Compostelle, Mémoire de fille, Congo Boy and L’Âme Idéale. Finally, the main screening programme ends on 22 October before the public closing celebration at La Térmica on 23 October.
Paris Qui Dort with live music
Furthermore, Cine Albéniz will screen René Clair’s restored 4K silent science-fiction film Paris Qui Dort while Ensemble MODUS performs an original score live. Specifically, the cine-concert takes place on Saturday 17 October at 6pm, lasts approximately 75 minutes and costs €15, or €12 with a reduced-rate ticket.
Closing night: a free celebration at La Térmica
Friday 23 October from 8pm · Free entry until capacity is reached. Then, the festival ends with an open-air, all-ages celebration at La Térmica, with live illustration, concerts, an energetic DJ finale, food trucks and a drinks bar.
- 8.15pm: Fabián Menor and NØDO combine live drawing, violin and experimental electronics
- 9pm: Bellboy blend baroque pop with cinematic arrangements
- 10pm: Olkan & La Vipère Rouge bring electronic Mediterranean music and instrumental techno
- 11pm: Malaga DJ Nukki closes the festival with a club-focused set
Finally, head to La Térmica at Avenida de los Guindos 48. Therefore, arrive early: admission is free, but places are limited.
Free exhibitions, films and family activities
Elsewhere, other free events include the animation retrospective at the Ateneo de Malaga and short films at the Centre Pompidou Malaga. However, capacity limits or advance registration may apply.
In addition, director Sepideh Farsi presents Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk at Teatro Cánovas on 13 October at 7.30pm. Meanwhile, on 14 October at 8pm, the Alliance Française de Malaga opens La voz de Gaza, Spain’s first exhibition focusing on photographs by Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona. Importantly, admission is free and the exhibition runs until 18 December 2026.
For families, the Centre Pompidou Malaga hosts Mon Petit Festival on 18 October. Organisers created this free programme of films and creative activities for children aged 4 to 9, and families must register in advance.
Malaga French Film Festival tickets and prices
| Ticket type | Standard | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Opening and closing films | €12 | €10 |
| Official Selection | €7 | €5 |
| Documentaries | €7 | €5 |
| Paris Qui Dort cine-concert | €15 | €12 |
For instance, eligible Alliance Française members and students, AF PASS holders, youth-card and Cine Albéniz card holders, under-18s and over-65s receive reduced prices. You can buy tickets online through the festival website and Unientradas, or at the Cine Albéniz box office, open daily from 3.30 to 10.30pm. However, free activities either admit visitors until capacity is reached or require advance registration, so check the individual event before travelling.
Main festival venues
- Cine Albéniz: Calle Alcazabilla 4
- Alliance Française de Malaga: Calle Canales 11
- Teatro Cánovas: Plaza de El Ejido 5
- Ateneo de Malaga: Calle Compañía 2
- Centre Pompidou Malaga: Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, Muelle Uno
- Escuela de Arte San Telmo: Calle Ejido 3
- La Térmica: Avenida de los Guindos 48
Consequently, most central venues are within walking distance of Malaga’s historic centre. For more inspiration before or after a screening, browse our complete guide to events in Malaga and our guide to art and museums in Malaga.
Frequently asked questions
Its name translates as the Malaga French Film Festival. Therefore, use the official Spanish name, Festival de Cine Francés de Malaga, when searching for programmes and tickets.
The main festival runs from 16 to 23 October 2026. In addition, special events begin on 13 October, including a documentary screening and an exhibition opening.
The programme does not advertise English subtitles. Instead, organisers screen films in their original language with Spanish subtitles, described as VOSE.
For example, Cine Albéniz is the main venue, with additional events at the Alliance Française de Malaga, Teatro Cánovas, Ateneo de Malaga, Centre Pompidou Malaga, Escuela de Arte San Telmo, La Térmica and Cines Yelmo.
Standard tickets cost €7 for Official Selection films and documentaries, €12 for opening and closing films, and €15 for the Paris Qui Dort cine-concert. Meanwhile, eligible visitors can buy reduced tickets from €5.
Yes. In addition, festival organisers offer the retrospective, short-film sessions, La voz de Gaza exhibition, special documentary screening and closing party free of charge until venues reach capacity. Some family and professional activities also cost nothing but require advance registration.
Information checked on 22 September 2026. However, programmes and availability can change, so confirm the latest details on the official festival website before attending.