"Last Film Show" Set for French Theatrical Release

Pan Nalin's acclaimed Gujarati-language drama, "Last Film Show," will debut in French cinemas on June 10, 2026, under the title "La Dernière Séance." The film, which was India's official submission for the 95th Academy Awards and earned a shortlist placement in the international feature film category, has garnered significant recognition at various international film festivals. It won the Golden Spike Best Picture award at Spain's Seminci Valladolid and was the audience award runner-up at the Tribeca Film Festival, among other accolades.

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The film's French release is facilitated by Friday Entertainment, which has acquired distribution rights from Studiocanal. This marks a strategic expansion for Friday Entertainment, known for its Indian releases in France and Europe, as it ventures into the art-house film sector. Co-founder Deepak Bascarin expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, “When we discovered that the French territory for ‘Last Film Show’ is still open, we instantly jumped at the opportunity to release this masterly crafted film in France.”

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"Last Film Show" centers on a young boy named Samay, portrayed by Bhavin Rabari, whose life is deeply intertwined with his local cinema. The narrative explores the impact of the transition from 35mm to digital projection on his love for moviegoing. Nalin reflects on the film's significance, noting, “Such news restores your faith in cinema. We had never imagined such a long-lasting theatrical run in times where theatrical distribution is becoming a distant dream.”

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Juliette Hochart, executive vice president at Studiocanal, highlighted the film's global appeal, stating, “We are delighted to bring French audiences Pan Nalin’s heartfelt love letter to cinema.” Nalin himself has expressed gratitude for the film's international reception, mentioning that it has been released in over 50 countries and emphasizing the collective effort of his team in bringing the film to life.

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While the film has received widespread acclaim, some critics have raised concerns about the challenges facing theatrical releases in the current digital age. The shift from traditional film formats to digital projection has sparked discussions about the future of cinema and the preservation of the cinematic experience.

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Following its theatrical release in France, "Last Film Show" is also available for streaming in India via Netflix, and audiences in the U.S. and Spain can access it through Prime Video. The film's continued success across various platforms suggests a growing interest in diverse cinematic narratives.

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• “How exciting! Such news restores your faith in cinema. We had never imagined such a long-lasting theatrical run in times where theatrical distribution is becoming a distant dream. We have now released the film in more than 50 countries. I’ve personally traveled to half of those countries and witnessed the first-hand love for ‘Last Film Show.’ This is also such a great moment for my team; without their talent, love, and hard work the film would not have existed,” — Pan Nalin, Director

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• “We have no doubt that this emotionally charged film would make French people fall in love with cinema all over again.” — Deepak Bascarin, Co-founder of Friday Entertainment

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• “’ This is also such a great moment for my team; without their talent, love, and hard work the film would not have existed,” the director said.” — Pan Nalin, Director

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