The Bridgeway

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) - Based on the incredible true story and autobiography of Commander Mohamed Bida, 13 Days, 13 Nights is an intense and profound thriller. Kabul, August 15, 2021. As US troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan, the Taliban storm the capital and seize power, plunging the city into chaos. Thousands of Afghans flock to the last safe haven: the French Embassy, where Commander Mohamed Bida (Roschdy Zem, The Innocent) and his elite crew ensure security. Inside the compound, Bida and his team scramble to hold the line as the world outside descends into chaos. With the help of Eva (Lyna Khoudri, The French Dispatch) - a young French-Afghan humanitarian worker - they must negotiate with the Taliban to organize a convoy in a last-ditch attempt to evacuate. Thus begins a race against time to reach the airport and flee the hell of Kabul before it’s too late... With 13 Days, 13 Nights, director Martin Bourboulon (The Three Musketeers, Eiffel) has crafted a breathless, edge-of-your-seat experience that simply must be seen on the big screen.

This exciting debut feature from Maël Piriou follows a delightful cast of characters on a road trip that will change their lives. Julia Piaton (also starring in Colours of Time) plays Mélanie, a gifted lawyer suffering from a terminal illness. Deciding it’s time to live life on her own terms, she convinces her old school friend Benjamin (Quentin Dolmaire, also starring in The Money Maker) to accompany her on a road trip to Spain. Joining them as their burly chauffer is Lucas (Grégory Gadebois, also starring in Jean Valjean), one of Mélanie’s clients who has recently been released from prison. In exchange for her legal services, Mélanie ropes him into taking the wheel. The unlikely trio embark on an unforgettable journey across stunning vistas that will lead them to understand more about themselves, and each other. Mélanie is driven by urgency, while Benjamin lingers over every detour, stretching out the miles in an attempt to somehow slow down the clock. What began as an impulsive getaway becomes a poignant exploration of friendship, intimacy, and the true meaning of independence. A Dash of Love is a tender and deeply human reminder for us to embrace joy while we can. This is a trip you will most certainly want to take!

After twenty years of devotion to her convent, Sister Lucie’s (Marilou Berry) quiet life is upended when she is separated from her sisterhood during a group outing. While trying to find her way home, she spots a familiar face on a television screen: her teenage sweetheart, now accused of a high-profile murder. Convinced of his innocence, she makes the impulsive decision to try to help him. Lucie’s disappearance has caused panic back at the convent, and the formidable Mother Superior Henriette (Isabelle Nanty, Amélie) sends two nuns to track her down and bring her back. A Nun in the City is a heartwarming, comedic story where faith, freedom and past love collide with surprising results.

Director Pascal Bonitzer (Maigret and the Dead Lover) brings this charming tale from the late Sophie Fillières brilliantly to life. French acting legend Fabrice Luchini plays popular performer Robert Zucchini, who has built his career on a stage act that lauds the works of the famous writer Victor Hugo. Robert’s bold reverence of Hugo’s ‘male genius’ doesn’t always play well with more enlightened modern audiences, and he finds himself not only at odds with a feminist theatre troupe, but with his adult daughter Lisbeth (Marie Narbonne, The Count of Monte Cristo), who has recently reappeared in his life. Robert wrestles with how art meets with politics - but more importantly, with his real-life relationships. Where he once took refuge in texts of the past, Lisbeth demands his presence in the moment. Little by little, with his daughter’s help, Robert begins to reconnect with his past, open up to others and relearn the practice of his craft. Pascal Bonitzer has crafted a slick, emotional, funny account of modern problems playing out on and off stage. Centred by a brilliant performance from the always-exceptional Fabrice Luchini, An Evening with Victor Hugo is a must-see at the 2026 Festival.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Competition) - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Actress – Léa Drucker - Léa Drucker took home the Best Actress César award for her performance in this gripping thriller from Dominik Moll (Only the Animals), selected for official competition at Cannes International Film Festival 2025. Drucker plays Stéphanie, an Internal Affairs police officer who is assigned the case of a young man severely wounded during a tense and chaotic demonstration in Paris. When she discovers that the victim hails from her hometown of Saint-Dizier, the case suddenly becomes far more personal. While nothing initially points to police misconduct, Stéphanie soon finds herself isolated in a system hellbent on protecting its own. With officers refusing to talk, Sophie turns to housekeeper and reluctant witness Alicia Mady (Guslagie Malanda, Saint Omer), whose testimony holds the key to the truth - but puts them both in danger. This compelling crime drama highlights themes of loyalty and justice that resonate long after the final scene, anchored strongly by Lea Drucker’s commanding role.

A young cat named Vincent, in the company of Maurice the mouse, escapes from the flood in an old harpsichord, which is picked up by sailors and sent to St. Petersburg, where it ends up in the Hermitage. There, Vincent meets an elite feline squad that has been protecting artwork from mice and other pests for centuries. Vincent dreams of finding a real cat family, but does not want to lose his friend Maurice, who saved his life. Vincent has to hide a friend, who also has one "little weakness" - Maurice loves to gnaw on masterpieces of painting. The situation becomes even more complicated when one of the greatest paintings of mankind, the Mona Lisa, arrives in the Hermitage, and it is the dream of all mice to gnaw it. But neither Vincent, nor Maurice, nor the cats of the Hermitage suspect that the painting is going to be stolen. And now Vincent will have to show all his resourcefulness and courage in order to save the masterpiece, protect the honor of the museum and win the love of a cat named Cleopatra from the Egyptian hall.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) - Director Cedric Klapisch has crafted a genuine crowd pleasing story that blends the excitement, wonder and art of Belle Epoque France with present day themes around identity, legacy and connection. In 1895, young Adele (Suzanne Lindon) leaves Normandy for Paris, a city alive and buzzing with invention, photography and the rise of Impressionism. In the present day, her descendants inherit an unexpected legacy : a country side house in Normandy, abandoned for decades and suspended in time. Four of Adele’s descendants arrive to survey the Estate, and together end up piecing together the story of Adele’s unexpected life. Colours of Time is a charming and fascinating family saga, and is sure to be a hit at this year’s Festival. Book your opening night tickets now!

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Toronto International Film Festival - - OFFICIAL SELECTION: San Sebastian Film Festival - Angelina Jolie turns in a career-best performance in this immaculate drama set in the high stakes fashion world. Taking place during the frenzy of Paris Fashion week, Jolie plays American filmmaker Maxine Walker, commissioned to direct a film for a prestigious label. After receiving sudden, life-changing news, Maxine crosses paths with two other women: Ada (Anyier Anei), a young South Sudanese model who has escaped her predetermined destiny to make a name for herself, and makeup artist Angéle (Ella Rumpf, Marguerite’s Theorem) who quietly dreams of a different life. While their backgrounds couldn’t be more different, the three women form a strong bond. Amid the glamorous scenes of haute couture, each must make choices small and significant, and confront major career decisions. Anchored by Jolie’s memorable portrayal, the intertwining journeys of these three women are supported by excellent turns from Louis Garrel (The Three Musketeers) and Vincent Lindon (Another World).

Elsa Zylberstein (Simone: Woman of the Century) and Didier Bourdon (The Scammers) star in this inventive time travel comedy that sharply explores societal roles. It’s 1958 in quiet suburbia. Hélène (Zylberstein) and Michel (Bourdon) live a simple but happy life with their two children. Michel works in a bank, while Hélène focuses her efforts on their home and family life. Through an unexpected and unlikely series of events, the couple find themselves catapulted into the 21st century. The year is 2025, and everything they know has changed. Hélène and Michel grapple with new technology, social rituals, and the frantic pace of modern life. Hélène now finds herself a successful bank manager and the sole breadwinner, while Michel has become the stay-at-home-husband. As they navigate this unfamiliar world, the pair must confront new ways of thinking, loving and living. Hélène and Michel are left wondering not how they will survive in their new reality, but whether they even want to... Propelled by hilarious performances from Zylberstein and Bourdon, Cycle of Time is a delightfully subversive comedy that will have you rediscovering the present through the eyes of two characters from a bygone era.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) – Direct from the world premiere in France comes De Gaulle: Tilting Iron. June 1940. France collapses and signs the Armistice. In the midst of the chaos, one man, Charles de Gaulle, refuses to give up. Taking the ultimate gamble he flees to London and seeks to convince the world that the battle for France is neither over or lost. What follows next is a triumphant story of faith, audacity and an unshakeable quest for freedom. Antonin Baudry has crafted a powerful and dramatic view of a man at the very centre of a turning point in history, on his path to becoming a 20th century leader and cultural icon. The reality of intense politics, family struggles and the impact of war are deftly drawn in this geopolitical thriller, which has been more than five years in the making. Simon Abkarian commands the screen as the titular General, leading a stand-out ensemble cast including Benoît Magimel, Mathieu Kassovitz, Francois Darlan, Niels Schneider and the César-winner Anamaria Vartolomei (The Count of Monte Cristo). The talented Simon Russell Beale (The Choral) rounds out the cast as Winston Churchill, with the film exploring the complex relationship between De Gaulle and the British Bulldog. Sure to be a talking point of the Festival, don’t miss out on seeing this keenly anticipated film.

This highly engaging film takes us on a journey through the life of one of the most prevalent female icons: Frida Kahlo. She was a prolific self-portraitist, using the canvas as a mirror through all stages of her turbulent and, at times, tragic life. Guided with interview, commentary and Frida’s own words, EXHIBITION ON SCREEN uncovers that this, however, was not a life defined by tragedy. Featuring key exhibitions and interviews with world-renowned Kahlo curators, EXHIBITION ON SCREEN explores the extraordinary symbolism and themes in these personal canvases to seek a deeper understanding of the real Frida Kahlo. Using cinema to take an up-close and intimate look at her works we examine how great an artist she can be considered. Displaying a treasure trove of colour and a feast of vibrancy on screen, this personal and intimate film offers privileged access to her works and highlights the source of her feverish creativity, her resilience and her unmatched lust for life, men, women, politics and her cultural heritage. We might think we already know Frida Kahlo – the image of floral crowns, big brows and folk style clothing have made her a muse to generations – but what lies beneath the surface of this intensely passionate woman?

In this tense psychological thriller, Pierre Niney (The Count of Monte Cristo) delivers a chilling performance as a popular life coach with a dedicated following. Mathieu Vasseur (Niney) delivers electrifying seminars, promising empowerment and transformation to his loyal fanbase. But behind his carefully curated image lies a more sinister reality. As Vasseur’s reach grows, the bonds he forms with his followers tighten into chains of control. Self-growth is traded for emotional reliance, and subtle influence becomes total psychological domination. What began as a quest for enlightenment for all involved becomes a predatory hierarchy. As scrutiny from skeptics and the law pushes Vasseur’s organisation towards obsession and collapse, he faces the question: how far can he go before his promise of freedom becomes a prison? Niney’s outstanding turn is bolstered by the excellent supporting cast of Marion Barbeau, Anthony Bajon (Beating Hearts), Christophe Montenez (also starring in 13 Days, 13 Nights) and Holt McCallany (Mindhunter). Guru is a razor-sharp examination of power dynamics that masterfully explores the thin line between mentorship and manipulation. Already a box office hit in France with over $16 million USD at the box office, make sure you don’t miss it!

I Swear follows the true story of Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson's journey with Tourette's through his troubled teens and early adulthood, having been diagnosed at 15 years old in 1980s Britain - a time when the condition was little known and entirely misunderstood. Initially alienated from his peers and his family, Davidson perseveres in his attempt to live a 'normal' life against the odds, finding some unlikely champions along the way.

After being forgotten at a highway service station during a family vacation, a housewife decides to start a new, independent life in Venice. She finds a new job, friends, and romance, forcing her to choose between her old life and her newfound freedom.

Set in the 1970s, this film follows the lives of the Canova sisters and their employees in a prestigious Roman dressmaker's shop. It explores their personal and professional struggles within a world of high fashion and glamour.

Against the racy backdrop of Italy in the 1980s and ‘90s, Riccardo Schicchi and his agency translate free love into the phenomenon of porn. This raunchy comedy follows antics at porn studio Diva Futura as fresh-faced ‘girls next door’ such as Ilona Staller, Moana Pozzi, Eva Henger and others become stars thanks to the video tape boom. Staller – better known as ‘Cicciolina’ – gets elected to Parliament and Pozzi runs for Mayor of Rome, with the film offering a fascinating insight into Italian society.

Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso NZIFF 1990) pays tribute to legendary composer Ennio Morricone and his prolific career that spanned over seven decades and included the scores to more than 70 award-winning films.

Rome, 1980. Unable to get her novel The Art of Joy published, author Goliarda Sapienza finds herself briefly imprisoned after she steals some jewellery from a wealthy friend. The experience turns out to be life-changing, as Goliarda discovers a world without class barriers, and forms a deep bond with some of the younger inmates.

Set in the late 19th century, this surreal Italian-American anti-Western follows Rosa and her lover, the outlaw-turned-folk-hero Santino, as they flee across the Italian wilderness after a deadly confrontation, pursued by an American showman (John C. Reilly). As their tale grows into a legend, it transforms into a whimsical, and sometimes ghostly journey that merges local folklore with the myth of the American Wild West.

As the 1930’s African Campaign casts its shadow, the tranquil life of a small Italian village is upendedby Ras Abraham, a captive Ethiopian leader. Young Emilio, the daydreaming son of the fascist mayor,finds an unexpected friend in the prisoner. Their deepening bond exposes Emilio to Italy's harshreality, challenging his worldview and igniting a quest for freedom. This story poignantly captures ajourney of friendship, awakening, and defiance against oppression.

Set during a surreal January heatwave in Rome, various characters struggle to maintain control as temperatures reach an unprecedented 50 degrees Celsius. The intense heat causes people and animals to lose their inhibitions, resulting in a chaotic examination of human anxiety.

Antonio (Alessandro Siani) and Pieraldo (Leonardo Pieraccioni) are two police officers with a "not-so-brilliant" career and a slightly bruised friendship. Their lives are quiet until they find themselves facing a real, intricate, and risky crime. This brings unexpected twists and forces the duo to change their lives forever.

Outgoing Italian President Mariano De Santis navigates his final term while grappling with moral dilemmas, including a bill on euthanasia and personal petitions for presidential pardons. Amidst the political pressure, he faces intense personal grief and nostalgia for his late wife, bringing to light questions about love and memory.

Starring Ludovica Martino (SKAM Italia) and Marco Leonardi (Cinema Paradiso) My Place Is Here is a compelling tale of a woman’s pursuit of happiness. Written and co-directed by Daniela Porto and Cristiano Bortone, based on the eponymous novel by Daniela Porto, this thoughtful drama is set in 1940s Southern Italy, at the time of the first feminist movement.

In the aftermath of World War II, two Neapolitan children, Carmine and Celestina, escape the poverty of their hometown by sneaking onto a ship bound for the United States. Relying on each other and a kindly ship’s officer, they journey to New York City to find a better life, navigating misadventures and a new world together.

A mysterious, harmonica-playing stranger and a notorious bandit form an uneasy alliance to protect a widowed settler from a ruthless hired gun working for the railroad. Set against the backdrop of the dying American frontier, this epic Western revolves around a bloody land battle and a quest for vengeance.

A fun dramedy, Siblings is inspired by the true story of Margherita and Damiano Tercon. Irene (Matilda De Angelis) is trying to build a regular life in Rome when she is forced to return to her hometown Rimini, to take care of Omar (newcomer Yuri Tuci), her 40-year-old autistic brother.

From Fabio Grassadoni and Antonio Piazza (Sicilian Ghost Story), this fictionalised mafia story features standout performances from Elio Germano and Toni Servillo. A dangerous liaisons crime drama with blackly comic elements, Sicilian Letters is loosely inspired by true events and real ‘pizzini’ messages by fugitive Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro.

After the global success of 2016’s Perfect Strangers, writer/director Paolo Genovese has struck gold again with his record-breaking hit Somebody to Love, an hilarious, all-star romantic comedy that reveals the innermost thoughts and uncertainties of an Italian couple on their awkward first date.

A cultural phenomenon and box office sensation in Italy, this emotional drama set in a Rome high school explores the real story behind Italy’s first publicised case of online bullying.

Elio Germano delivers a standout performance as Enrico Berlinguer in this meticulous, intelligent biopic of a man for whom life and politics, private and collective, were inextricably linked. Italy, 1970s. Enrico Berlinguer is the Secretary of the most important Communist party in the western world, with over one million seven hundred thousand card-holding members and more than twelve million voters, united by the great ambition of achieving socialism within a democracy.

Starring popular comic duo Salvatore Ficarra & Valentino Picone (Strangeness IFF23) and festival favourite Toni Servillo (also in La Grazia and Sicilian Letters), The Illusion is a fun re-imagining of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s 1860 campaign that unified Italy.

Two blustery 50-somethings, have an obsession: going for their last drink. One night, they run into Giulio, a shy architecture student, whose way of seeing the world and love will be transformed as the trio wander from bar to bar of Veneto

The Sleeper. El Caravaggio perdido (2025) is a documentary-thriller tracking the frantic, high-stakes hunt for a lost Caravaggio masterpiece, Ecce Homo, discovered in 2021 in a Madrid home, valued at over €300 million. Directed by Álvaro Longoria, the film documents the intense, three-year process of authentication, restoration, and auction.

Adapted from Rosella Postorino’s bestselling novel At The Wolf’s Table, the new film from multi award-winning writer/director Silvio Soldini (Bread and Tulips, Days and Clouds) is a gripping historical drama inspired by the incredible true story of Margot Wölk, a woman who was conscripted to be one of Hitler’s food tasters.

Trifole (2025) is a drama about Dalia, a young woman who travels to Italy's Piedmont region to care for her aging grandfather, Igor, a reclusive expert forager. Together with his loyal dog Birba, they search for a legendary truffle to save their family home, exploring themes of tradition, dementia, and the changing landscape of rural life.

The documentary serves as a loving portrait of a brilliant mind and a testament to the enduring power of literature and knowledge, often featuring scenes of the author navigating his labyrinthine, book-lined shelves.

Jasmine (Marilena Amato) is a hairdresser in her 40s and appears to have everything she ever wanted: a devoted husband, three loving sons, and a thriving salon just south of Naples. But after her father’s passing, she is haunted by a recurring dream in which a young girl runs into her arms, offering Jasmine a new sense of fulfilment and completeness she cannot ignore.

Fabio De Luigi and Valentina Lodovini return as Carlo and Giulia Rovelli and this time, the family is heading to sunny Puglia, where their eldest daughter, eighteen-year-old Camilla, is moving to attend university with her boyfriend, Antonio Paradiso. However, Carlo is not ready to let go of his firstborn—especially if it means having her live with a young man he does not trust at all.

A comedy about a couple who are desperately looking to conceive a child and move to Spain to get the help of a renowned doctor. Their plans change after they meet an apparently perfect girl that volunteers to carry on the pregnancy in their place.

Never-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and accounts from Jeff Buckley's inner circle paint a captivating portrait of the gifted musician who died tragically in 1997, having only released one album.

Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Misérables is one of the most beloved novels of the 19th century, and now the superb Grégory Gadebois has re-teamed with his Delicious writer/director Éric Besnard for this authentic and emotionally affecting retelling that charts the origin story of the tale’s legendary protagonist. 1815. Provence, France. In the peaceful village of Digne, rumour spreads that a dangerous man has entered the area; indeed, the hulking Valjean (Gadebois) has just been released from prison after nineteen years of hard labour. Branded a criminal and ostracised, Jean is repeatedly turned away. Desperate for a bed, he knocks at the door of the house of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan), who lives simply with his ailing sister (Isabelle Carré) and dedicated – but suspicious – servant (Alexandra Lamy). Without judgement, Bienvenu invites him in. And on this crucial night, Jean will face a choice that will define his future… With this superbly filmed exploration of justice, empathy and moral redemption, Besnard’s reflective and intimate drama – and Gadebois’ towering performance – bring new depth to Hugo’s hero, a spurned man transformed by kindness and compassion. Admirers of the source text and rich historical drama will not be disappointed by Jean Valjean.

From Eric Toledano and Oliver Nakache, the award-winning directors of The Intouchables and A Difficult Year comes Just an Illusion, a heartwarming and brilliant comedy set in the suburbs of Paris in 1985. The film follows Vincent (an incredible debut performance from Simon Boublil), a boy standing on the precipice of his 13th birthday and his Bar Mitzvah - a milestone that feels more like an identity crisis than a celebration. Vincent’s mother Sandrine (Camille Cottin, Three Friends) tries to hold the family together with her job as a secretary, while his father Yves (Louis Garrel, also starring in Couture) grapples with unemployment and a wounded ego. Caught between his parents’ frequent arguments and a distant older brother, Arnaud (Alexis Rosenstiehl), Vincent must find his own rhythm in a family that is out of sync. Simon Boublil is being hailed as a major discovery for his performance as Vincent, carrying this nostalgia soaked tale with a winning combination of vulnerability and dry humour. Meanwhile, French cinema stalwarts Cottin and Garrel deliver explosive but grounded chemistry. Directors Toledano and Nakache blend the infectious energy of a classic 80s soundtrack with their signature brand of heartfelt humour, for their most personal film to date. Book in quick to avoid disappointment!

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Opening Film) - Making waves in 2025 as the first-ever debut feature selected to open the Cannes Film Festival, Amélie Bonnin’s joyously entertaining musical romance stars break-out singer/songwriter Juliette Armanet as a talented Parisian chef forced to reconnect with her small-town upbringing during an unexpected trip home. Cécile (Armanet) – a fan-favourite Top Chef winner – is about to finally realise her dream and open her own restaurant when her father, the cook at a small rural truck stop, falls unwell. Cécile must deal with a return to her roots that is more complicated than she imagined; when she runs into her teenage first love (César Award-winner Bastien Bouillon), old memories and sensations resurface... and then her fiancé, who senses something’s wrong, shows up. Evocatively depicting regional France and the complications of family life with tenderness and wit, Leave One Day interweaves music naturally into the story, blending several classics with more recent hits by artists such as Stromae and Céline Dion. Armanet, herself one of France’s most popular contemporary artists, performed John Lennon’s “Imagine” during the Paris Olympic Games’ opening ceremony and proves to be a shining discovery, in this warm-hearted and completely endearing gem.

Elle Woods, a fashionable sorority queen is dumped by her boyfriend. She decides to follow him to law school, while she is there she figures out that there is more to her than just looks.

Following the break-out success of 2025 hit The Stolen Painting, acclaimed writer/director Pascal Bonitzer brings his unique perspective and panache to Simenon’s cherished Parisian detective - a French counterpart to Agatha Christie’s Poirot - as he attempts to solve the murder of a diplomat with a long-held secret. Inspector Maigret (four-time César nominee Denis Podalydès, in a tremendous performance) is urgently summoned to the Quai d’Orsay: a former ambassador has been found shot dead by his long-serving housekeeper (Anne Alvaro, The Taste of Others). But rather than contact the police, she has followed diplomatic protocols by first informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Forewarned that he will find a series of salacious letters - and cautioned to be discrete - Maigret heads to the victim’s opulent apartment. He finds no forensic evidence at the crime scene, but certainly, the letters prove startling - secret, decades-spanning correspondence between the ambassador and the Princess of Vuynes, whose own husband, by strange coincidence, has also just died… Bonitzer, renowned for an intuitive and empathetic focus, finds a perfect match with a protagonist who relies on quiet observation. He delivers an absorbing, wholly compelling mystery that also serves as a thoughtful examination of modern life’s key concerns: hierarchy, aging, and the very different worlds that money creates. Best of all, the twist ending is… a killer.