LEWISTON — In partnership with Bates College and the Gendron Franco Center, the Tournees Film Festival returns to Lewiston for the third year to present French-language film screenings from Oct. 24 through Nov. 7.

The lineup comprises six films new and old and in diverse genres. Ranging from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Paris, from the French countryside to Niger, the films are united by the French language and what it means to the larger world. Themes range from love and loss to colonialism, activism and unlikely friendship.

Open to the public at no cost, all films are shown with English subtitles. 

Here’s the lineup:

“L’Atelier” (“The Workshop”) — Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. In this film by acclaimed writer-director Laurent Cantet, a successful novelist teaches a writing workshop for a diverse group of young unemployed people. As the novelist attempts to understand why one of her students embraces a reprehensible ideology, the film builds into a breathtaking thriller that provides startling insight into conflicts of culture and belief pertinent far beyond France. An opening reception for the film festival starts at 6:30 p.m. and a Q&A follows the screening. (2017, 113 min.)

“Polina” — Saturday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. “Polina” is the first feature by leading French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, written and directed in tandem with documentarian Valerie Muller. Depicting the coming of age of a young ballerina as she discovers contemporary dance, it stars Anastasia Shevtsova, a 19-year-old Russian dancer who learned French to play the title role. Q&A follows the movie. (2017, 108 min.)

“Felicite” — Monday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Gendron Franco Center. In French-Senegalese director Alain Gomis’ fourth feature, a nightclub singer must find a way to pay for her teenage son’s operation following a serious accident. Set in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this film blurs dream and waking life as it portrays the joys and struggles of its modern-day heroine. Q&A follows the movie. (2017, 129 min.)

“120 Battements Par Minute BPM” (“Beats Per Minute”) — Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. Writer-director Robin Campillo draws from his own experience as a member of Act Up-Paris to tell a fictionalized history of the activist group. In the early days of the HIV/AIDS outbreak, Act Up sought to bring recognition and improved treatment to victims of the epidemic. “BPM” combines social justice in a time of fear and stigmatization with a heart-breaking love story. Q&A follows the movie. (2017, 143 min.)

“Petit a Petit” (“Little by Little”) — Monday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. Director Jean Rouche presents a subversive commentary on colonialism and capitalism as a warm-hearted comedy in this tale of three men on a mission to build the first residential tower in their hometown of Niamey, Niger. Their quest leads to Paris, where two of the men encounter the lavishness and absurdities of Western lifestyle in the experiences that cross-cultural exchange has to offer. Q&A follows the movie. (1971, 96 min.)

“Visages villages” (“Faces, Places”) — Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. In this documentary by the critically acclaimed director Agnes Varda, she joins forces with street artist JR to search the French countryside for subjects for JR’’s portraits. The journey assembles an image of France from the faces of everyday people, and Varda’’s friendship with JR and her memories of a life well-lived create a documentary worth celebrating. It was nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Documentary of 2017. A closing reception for the film festival starts at 6:30 p.m. with Q&A following the movie. (2017, 94 min.)

Founded in 1995, the Tournees Film Festival has partnered with more than 600 universities, reaching an audience of over half a million students and community members all across the United States. The Tournees Film Festival reflects the diversity and the richness of French cinema through various genres — fiction, documentary, animation and repertory films — giving participants the opportunity to expand their programming and for audiences to experience French cinema through a wider lens.

Screenings take place in Room 104 of the Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell St., except for “Félicité” (Oct. 29), showing at the Gendron Franco Center, 46 Cedar St. FMI, visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/TourneesFilmFestival/posts/ or email lballadu@bates.edu.

Marina Foïs and Matthieu Lucci in “The Workshop” (“L’Atelier”). (Photo courtesy of Jerome Prebois)

Jeremie Belingard and Anastasia Shevtsova in a scene from “Polina” (“Polina, danser sa vie”).

Arnaud Valois in “BPM.”

Co-directors Agnès Varda and JR in a scene from “Faces, Places” (“Visages Villages”).

A scene from “Little by Little” (“Petit à petit”).

Véro Tshanda Beya Mputu in “Félicité.” (Photo courtesy of Strand Releasing)