October 27, 2025

France Odeon 2025

From 30 October to 2 November, Florence celebrates French cinema with previews, international guests and 40 years of history

From October 30 to November 2, with a pre-opening on October 29, Florence once again hosts France Odeon, the festival of contemporary French cinema. Among this year’s guests: Michel Hazanavicius, Emmanuel Carrère, Olivier Assayas, Laure Calamy, Fabien Gorgeart, Prïncia Car, Stéphane Ly-Cuong, and Stefano Bollani.

Florence welcomes the 17th edition of France Odeon, the festival dedicated to the best of contemporary French cinema, directed by Francesco Ranieri Martinotti. The city becomes a stage for premieres, encounters, tributes, and international guests. Screenings will take place at Cinema La Compagnia, the festival’s main venue, with special events also hosted at Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

France Odeon is part of the “50 Days of Cinema in Florence” series, supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC), the Region of Tuscany, the City of Florence, and Fondazione Sistema Toscana.

The 2025 edition carries a symbolic significance: it celebrates 40 years of French cinema in Florence, from the founding of France Cinéma in 1986 to today’s France Odeon.

“This year’s is a special edition,” explains Artistic Director Francesco Ranieri Martinotti, “meant to pay tribute to all those who, over time, have dedicated their intelligence, passion, and energy to strengthening the ancient bond between our two countries. It is thanks to them that today we are appreciated not only by our audiences but also by the filmmakers, actors, producers, and distributors who choose France Odeon as a privileged space to present their work.”

France Odeon 2025 Program – Day by Day

Wednesday, October 29 – Pre-opening “Les Mythes”

An evening dedicated to the great figures of French cinema.

7:00 pm – Louis Malle, le révolté by Claire Duguet
A documentary presented out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, introduced by film historian Steve Della Casa. An intimate and revealing portrait of a rebellious, visionary filmmaker.
8:30 pm – Les pétroleuses by Christian-Jaque
A tribute to Claudia Cardinale and Brigitte Bardot in a witty, female-driven western that playfully subverts the genre. Presented by Steve Della Casa and Enrico Castaldi, President of France Odeon.

Thursday, October 30 – Official Opening

5:00 pm – Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Sala Giordano
Presentation of Carnets d’Ukraine by Michel Hazanavicius, a collection of drawings and reflections created on the Ukrainian front in 2023. The director will discuss the genesis of the work, whose proceeds support UNITED24.
6:45 pm – Cinema La Compagnia
Opening ceremony with Michel Hazanavicius, Stéphan Ly-Cuong, French Ambassador Martin Briens, and the jury: Antonio Piazza, Celeste Dalla Porta, and Colapesce.
Italian premiere of La venue de l’avenir by Cédric Klapisch, presented at Cannes (to be released in Italy as I colori del tempo).
9:30 pm – Cinema La Compagnia
Out-of-competition screening of Vie privée by Rebecca Zlotowski, a refined psychological thriller starring Jodie Foster.

Friday, October 31 – Cinema, Technology, and New Perspectives

11:15 am – Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Copyright
Organized by Murmuris with the support of SIAE and SACD. Speakers include Matteo Fedeli (SIAE), Pascal Rogard (SACD), Juana Torres (LaborIA–INRIA), Erik Longo (University of Florence), and Michel Hazanavicius.
5:00 pm – Cinema La Compagnia
National premiere of Dans la cuisine des Nguyen by Stéphane Ly-Cuong, a bittersweet musical comedy about the Vietnamese community in France. Followed by a Q&A with the director.
7:00 pm – Cinema La Compagnia
National premiere of Les filles désir by Prïncia Car, winner of the 2025 Regards Méditerranéens Award, filmed with young people from Marseille.
9:00 pm – Cinema La Compagnia
Italian premiere of Dalloway by Yann Gozlan, a dystopian film exploring the limits of artificial intelligence in creativity.

Saturday, November 1 – Between Animation, Architecture, and Auteur Comedy

11:00 am – Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol by Sylvain Chomet
An animated film dedicated to Marcel Pagnol, with original music by Stefano Bollani, who will be present alongside Marco Luceri. In collaboration with Lucca Comics & Games 2025.
4:00 pm – L’inconnu de la Grande Arche by Stéphane Demoustier
National premiere on the architect Otto von Spreckelsen, creator of the Grande Arche in Paris. Talk with Massimiliano Fuksas and Valerio Barberis, in collaboration with the Florence Architects’ Association.
6:45 pm – C’est quoi l’amour? by Fabien Gorgeart
World premiere with the director and actress Laure Calamy. A refined comedy about second chances and the return of old emotions.
9:15 pm – Nouvelle Vague by Richard Linklater
A passionate tribute to 1960s French cinema and its icons.

Sunday, November 2 – Author Encounters and Grand Finale

11:00 am – “Scritture – Le Mage du Kremlin: From Novel to Film”
A conversation between Emmanuel Carrère and Olivier Assayas, moderated by Ritanna Armeni, on adapting Giuliano da Empoli’s acclaimed novel for the screen.
3:00 pm – Grand Ciel by Akihiro Hata
Competition screening on the theme of workplace fatalities. Followed by the awards ceremony.
6:00 pm – Le Mage du Kremlin by Olivier Assayas, co-written with Emmanuel Carrère
A sharp reflection on power in contemporary Russia, starring Jude Law and Paul Dano. Both authors will attend.
9:00 pm – On ira by Enya Baroux
National premiere of a family drama about life choices and emotional ties, starring Hélène Vincent.

Awards and Special Events

France Odeon Golden Leaf – crafted by Giusto Manetti Battiloro, awarded to the best film in competition.
Regards Méditerranéens Award – a silver creation by Pampaloni, honoring the film that best represents the Mediterranean as a space for dialogue.
Book Presentation: Valentina Cortese, un breve secolo (1923–2023) by Alfredo Baldi (Edizioni ETS), with Marco Luceri and Francesco Ranieri Martinotti.
A tribute to one of the greatest actresses in Italian and international cinema.
12:00 pm – Teatro del Sale