The annual event will take place at Event Cinemas, Kotara from Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26.

Newcastle Alliance Francaise is continuing the tradition of of having a French market at the cinema prior to the opening film on the Friday night and afternoon tea at 12.30pm on the Sunday.

Six movies will be screened across the weekend with Sink or Swim, an unlikely tale of a men's synchronised swimming team, headlining the festival.

All the films have subtitles in English.

Sink or Swim has gained popularity in France and was nominated for eight César awards, the French equivalent of the Academy Awards.

It tells the story of eight men who have struggled to make anything of their lives and suddenly find themselves challenged by the most unusual suggestion of competing in an international synchronised swimming competition.

It is the first of six movies for the festival weekend (May 24-26), which highlights some of the brilliance of French film.

Sink or Swim provided well know French actor, Gilles Lellouche with his first directorial role, for which he received a César nomination. Amazingly he was also nominated as best actor for the same awards for his lead role in In Safe Hands, which will feature as the Saturday evening movie at the Newcastle French Film Festival.

There are also two afternoon movies on the Saturday, starting with the delightful animated film, Dilili in Paris followed by The World is Yours, an action adventure film telling the tale of a minor drug dealer who creates all kinds of trouble for himself when he suddenly needs more money. It features the brilliant Isabelle Adjani, the only actress or actor to win five César awards.

Family Photo, the first of two films on Sunday May 26 at 11am, features Vanessa Paradis in a moving drama about a dysfunctional family facing the problem of how to look after their newly widowed grandmother.

The one and only Catherine Deneuve gives the festival a fitting finale as she plays the role of an eccentric woman in Claire Darling.

For more information visit newcastlefrenchfilmfestival.weebly.com.