Going to see a French film in Dublin may seem like something of a detour. Yet the Peugeot IFI French Film Festival reveals another side of the capital: its film lovers and independent cinemas. On Eustace Street, in the heart of Temple Bar, the Irish Film Institute brings together new releases, repertory films and talks. For French-speaking visitors, it is an opportunity to share a screening with Dublin audiences, then return to the streets of the neighbourhood with a film still on their mind.
The festival is organised by the Irish Film Institute, Ireland’s national cultural institution for film. The IFI combines programming, education and the preservation of Ireland’s film heritage. Its engagement with French cinema reflects this curiosity about films, their history and their audiences.
For 2026, the organiser has announced 34 feature films, including 25 Irish premieres, along with a selection of nine films by Éric Rohmer on IFI@Home. The programme brings together contemporary works and classics. This variety makes it possible to choose a screening by director, performer or simple desire to discover something new, without having to follow the entire festival.
Peugeot’s name accompanies this edition as part of a title partnership. Programming and bookings are handled by the IFI: its website is the reference point for planning your visit.
The 2026 edition opens with Words of Love by Rudi Rosenberg and closes with Fred Cavayé’s adaptation of Les Misérables. The Being Deneuve strand includes Belle de jour, Donkey Skin, Place Vendôme and 8 Women. These titles belong to this specific edition; the selection changes with each new festival.
A retrospective offers a particular reason to return to the cinema. You can revisit a familiar film in the setting of a shared screening, or approach an actress through several directorial worlds. Choose according to your curiosity: the pleasure of rediscovering a work and that of seeing an unfamiliar film call for different moods.
Also look out for Q&A listings, which indicate a discussion after the screening. These sessions offer the chance to extend the film with questions about how it was made. Allow for this extra time before booking a restaurant or another event.
The documentary Construction Site follows the transformation of the former Paris Paramount into the Pathé Palace. Over four years, Jean-Stéphane Bron observes the building site, where architects, craftspeople, sound specialists and projectionists work. The building is being reimagined by Renzo Piano for Jérôme Seydoux’s Pathé group.
The subject will appeal as much to architecture enthusiasts as to film lovers: behind the image of a completed cinema, it reveals professions, decisions and the relationship between artistic ambition and practical execution. The IFI has announced a discussion with the director after the screening, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ireland.
The official Construction Site listing sets out the details and arrangements for this discussion. An evening of this kind is a good choice if you want to discover the festival through an experience that goes beyond the screening itself.
Films are often listed under an English title in the programme. Check the director and synopsis to identify the work you are looking for. Nor does the label “French Film Festival” alone determine every language spoken in a film or its subtitling arrangements: consult the individual listing.
For an outing with others, choose a work whose subject suits everyone rather than relying solely on an actor’s name. If you are with children, check the classification and admission conditions for the screening. The presence of an animation or a story in the programme does not mean that every screening is family-friendly.
Even a single screening can fit into a stay. Leave yourself time before entering the auditorium and after the film: the festival is also discovered through conversations about what you have seen, without having to rush straight on to the next visit.
The box office distinguishes between standard screenings, the opening event with a reception, and packages offered to members. Membership is required for cinema screenings; the IFI provides a daily membership option for non-members. Full pricing details are listed in the Prices section of this page.
Before buying several tickets, read the terms of the package you choose. Film packages do not include the opening event and are stated to be non-refundable and non-exchangeable. They do not remove the need to choose your screenings or check availability.
Use the festival’s official booking service. The IFI@Home strand is a separate online offering: check the rental terms, viewing period and any geographical restrictions before adding it to your plans.
The Irish Film Institute is located at 6 Eustace Street, in Dublin. The cinema makes it easy to plan a cultural outing in the city centre, without having to arrange an excursion beyond the capital. Find the entrance before your screening if you are unfamiliar with the neighbourhood.
The IFI recommends public transport, walking or cycling. Its visitor page lists the Luas stops at Westmoreland and Trinity on the Green Line, Jervis on the Red Line, and Tara Street DART station. Check your route according to where you are staying and when your screening ends.
For accessibility enquiries, consult the venue information and contact the box office before booking. The IFI visitor information complements the film listings. The on-site Café Bar can also extend your outing; its bookings and services remain separate from your cinema ticket.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
