Directed by Johann Dionnet and co-written with Benoît Graffin, Avignon is a French comedy that hit theaters on June 18, 2025. Led by Baptiste Lecaplain, Alison Wheeler, and Lyes Salem, the film is a charming romantic comedy filled with misunderstandings, set against the vibrant backdrop of the Avignon Festival. After its theatrical run, the movie will be broadcast on Canal+ on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 9:10 PM.
The film follows Stéphane, an actor with an uncertain career, as he arrives in Avignon with his troupe to perform a comedy called My Sister Crashes the Party. Amidst the buzz of the festival, he crosses paths once again with Fanny, a well-known actress starring in a classic repertory piece. A simple misunderstanding leads her to mistake him for the actor playing Rodrigue in Corneille's Le Cid.
Rather than clearing things up, Stéphane opts to keep the confusion going in hopes of getting closer to Fanny. What starts as a harmless lie gradually pulls him into a spiral of tricky situations, blurring the lines between rehearsals, performances, and real life. During the festival, the divide between acting, the stage, and reality becomes increasingly blurred.
Avignon draws heavily from the real-life experiences of Johann Dionnet, a familiar face at the Festival Off. It expands on a well-received short film, Je joue Rodrigue. Most of the filming took place on the streets of Avignon, sometimes capturing the chaos during the actual festival to authentically convey the city’s unique energy, the bustling array of performances, and the collective spirit of the crews. Some scenes adopt a nearly documentary-style approach, blending raw immediacy with more deliberate staging.
The film places a strong emphasis on teamwork, both in its storytelling and production process. The fictional troupe of Cannibals is built around a carefully developed group dynamic, while several comedic scenes were shaped through actor improvisation. This approach roots the film deeply in live performance, reflecting the director’s core vision.
With its light-hearted tone and deep roots in the world of theater, Avignon appeals to fans of French comedies, as well as viewers drawn to behind-the-scenes stories and romances built on misunderstandings. The film received recognition at the Alpe d’Huez International Comedy Film Festival, where it notably won the Grand Jury Prize, cementing its success within the festival circuit.
Avignon
Film | 2025
Release in theaters: June 18, 2025
TV premiere: Canal+ on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Comedy | Duration: 1h43
Directed by Johann Dionnet | Starring Baptiste Lecaplain, Alison Wheeler, Lyes Salem
Country: France
In this summer roundup, Johann Dionnet offers a perspective that’s both approachable and well-researched on the Avignon Festival—its illusions, excesses, and hopes. Blending classical theater with Broadway-style productions, Avignon delves into the blurred lines between the roles performed on stage and the identities we assume in everyday life.
For more options, check out our curated list of TV shows, movies, and series to watch this week. Also, explore our guide to latest releases across all platforms and today's top pick, what to stream today.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
