Two years ago the festival featured Scandinavian noir writer Jo Nesbo and last year it presented Scottish crime fiction star Ian Rankin. The star of this year's festival will be award-winning French crime fiction author, comics writer and screenwriter Tonino Benacquista, whose book Malavita has received international acclaim.
The programme will also feature lectures, panel discussions, workshops and guest appearances. Film aficionados will have a chance to enjoy such French noir classics as "Sur mes levres", "Touchez pas au grisbi", "Bob le flambeur" and "Quai des orfevres".
Festival events will take place at the Velvet Gallery, the French Pavilion and the Student Centre, and admission to all events is free.