Beyond Words Festival Brings Francophone Literature to London Audiences
Institut français highlights global voices through literature and film programme
May 13th, 2026
From 8 to 22 June 2026, the Institut français in London will host Beyond Words, a multidisciplinary festival celebrating writers from across the French-speaking world whose works are gaining new readerships in English translation. Combining literary discussions with a curated film programme, the festival reflects the diversity and global reach of Francophone culture, offering audiences in the United Kingdom a platform to engage with stories that span continents, histories, and perspectives.
The programme brings together a wide range of authors and thinkers, addressing themes that move between the personal and the geopolitical. On 9 June, anthropologist and writer Nastassja Martin will present East of Dreams, reflecting on her experiences living with the Even people in Kamchatka and exploring the intersections of indigenous life, post-Soviet displacement, and colonial history. Later, on 20 June, journalist and novelist Sorj Chalandon will join BBC correspondent Fergal Keane to discuss war reporting and literary storytelling, drawing on Chalandon’s The Fourth Wall and Keane’s extensive experience covering global conflicts. The conversation will be accompanied by a screening of the 2024 film adaptation of The Fourth Wall, followed by a public discussion.
Other highlights include a focus on contemporary crime fiction, with Swiss author Joseph Incardona presenting Holy Fck* on 10 June, and a joint event on 20 June featuring Olivier Norek and Abir Mukherjee examining the genre’s role in interpreting modern society. The festival also explores intersections between literature and popular culture, as French poet Valentin Deudon and journalist Philippe Auclair revisit the legacy of footballer Éric Cantona on 13 June. On 17 June, Camille de Peretti will discuss Portrait of an Unknown Woman in conversation with author Ben Faccini, tracing the extraordinary history of a lost and rediscovered painting by Gustav Klimt. Alongside these discussions, the film programme features adaptations of works by Honoré de Balzac and Albert Camus, as well as films on literary figures such as Marcel Pagnol and reinterpretations of Alexandre Dumas’ classics.
Organised by the Institut français in London, a key institution in France’s global cultural diplomacy network, Beyond Words operates within a broader framework of Franco-British cultural exchange. By promoting Francophone literature in translation and facilitating dialogue with UK-based audiences and interlocutors, the festival strengthens bilateral cultural ties while supporting the international circulation of creative works. This approach also carries economic and strategic significance, as translation, publishing, and screen adaptation industries play a growing role in the global cultural economy, positioning literature as both an artistic and exportable asset.
Ultimately, Beyond Words underscores the enduring relevance of storytelling as a tool for cross-cultural understanding. By connecting writers, readers, and viewers across linguistic and national boundaries, the festival not only amplifies diverse Francophone voices but also reinforces long-term cultural collaboration between France, the United Kingdom, and the wider international community.
