Villa Albertine will present the Literary Fall festival, themed "Imaginary Worlds," on September 25 and 26, 2026. This international event will feature authors, translators, critics, and publishers from France and the United States, highlighting stories that transcend borders and ignite imagination.

Read More

The festival kicks off on Friday with a conversation between authors Leïla Slimani and Jhumpa Lahiri, along with discussions about the future of literary translation and emerging voices in French and Francophone fiction.

On Saturday, the focus will shift to various genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror, with discussions involving prominent French editors and bestselling authors such as Kate Dramis, Matt Madden, John Scalzi, and Paul Tremblay.

All events will be conducted in English. Admission is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, although RSVPs are required and do not guarantee entry.

**Friday, September 25**

**3 PM – 4 PM**: The New Landscape of Literary Translation - A session co-organized with the Center for the Art of Translation, featuring Allison Markin Powell and Katrine Øgaard Jensen discussing support for literary translation in the age of AI. The conversation will be moderated by Han Zhang.

**4:30 PM – 5:30 PM**: What French and Francophone Literature Offers the American Imagination - Mandana Chaffa will moderate a panel with Miriam Gordis, Kaiama L. Glover, and Chad W. Post, focusing on the impact of French literature in the U.S.

**6 PM – 7 PM**: Conversation: An Evening with Leïla Slimani and Jhumpa Lahiri - The authors will discuss Slimani’s new novel, *I’ll Take the Fire*, with a book signing and reception to follow.

**Saturday, September 26**

**11 AM – 11:30 AM**: Coffee

**11:30 AM – 12:30 PM**: From Moebius to Marvel: How French Comics Helped Shape American Fantasy - A discussion featuring Joseph Montagne, Fabrice Sapolsky, Matt Madden, and Luke Burns on the influence of French comics in America.

**2 PM – 3 PM**: Romantasy Across the Atlantic - A conversation on the rise of romantasy with Kate Dramis, Quentin Monstier, and Katy Waldman discussing genre dynamics.

**3:30 PM – 4:30 PM**: Utopias, Dystopias, and the Politics of Imagination - John Scalzi, Mathias Echenay, Joy Sanchez-Taylor, Neil Clarke, and Emily Hockaday will explore how speculative fiction addresses current political issues.

**5 PM – 6 PM**: Into the Dark: The New Horror Wave - Paul Tremblay, Nicolas Martin, Jason Mellow, and Tricia Narwani will examine the appeal and future direction of horror in France and the U.S.

Interested participants can register for the festival for updates on the program.