The Border Mail International Film Festival will present 36 films over 10 days from Thursday at Regent Cinemas Albury Wodonga.

Regent Cinemas Albury Wodonga general manager Kelly Davis said the 17^th annual festival - which usually ran over winter - had been postponed by the coronavirus crisis and to ensure the best line-up possible.

Ms Davis said the ongoing closure of European cinemas and almost 70 per cent of those in the US had limited the availability of films released to Australia.

"We wanted to be able to bring the best quality films to the festival so we weren't going to rush into it," she said.

"We've got quite a lot of comedies and some great documentaries."

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Of the 36 festival films, 11 are French or international collaborations with France.

Ms Davis said the cancellation of the annual French Film Festival in Albury gave them a strong starting point too.

"Obviously we missed the Alliance Francaise festival in May so we are able to show those films now," Ms Davis said.

The festival opens with 2019 French thriller The Translators on Wednesday at 6.30pm.

Nine international translators, who are hired to translate the final book in a best-selling trilogy, are confined to a luxurious bunker under a French manor.

There are still a limited number of tickets available to opening night.

In line with COVID-19 restrictions, cinema capacity will be at 50 per cent.

As part of the lockdown refurbishment this year, the new cinema bar will operate throughout the festival.

For more festival details or bookings visit regentcinemas.com.au or buy tickets over the counter.

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