Created in France by the Lumière brothers, cinema has always had a special link with France. It is therefore no coincidence that the country now offers an impressive number of film festivals (over 600). Discover our selection of festivals to discover all year long in France!
Our selection of French film festivals
France has several renowned international film festivals, including the most prestigious in the world. While some of these events attract a plethora of stars, film buffs, journalists and lovers of the 7th art every year, others are more confidential despite the quality of their programming.
The Cannes International Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival is the most famous film event in the world. Founded in 1946, it has become an unmissable media and glamour event. Its selection, although eclectic and international, generally focuses on auteur films. Influential on an international scale, the Cannes festival often marks the cultural year.
The Cannes International Film Festival offers several selections (Official Selection, Films in Competition, Out of Competition, Un Certain Regard, Short Films...) and takes place in parallel with other high quality festivals: the Directors' Fortnight, ACID Programming, Critics' Week...
Date of the festival: May
The Deauville American Film Festival
The Deauville American Film Festival was created in 1975 to pay tribute to American authors and to honour American independent cinema. Since 1995, films are presented in competition. The Deauville International Film Festival has welcomed the biggest American stars since its creation.
Festival dates: September
The Alpes d'Huez International Comedy Film Festival
Created in 1999, the Alpes d'Huez International Comedy Film Festival is entirely devoted to comedy. Every year, it welcomes professionals and the public (more than 15,000 people in the last editions) to discover a selection of feature films and shorts. The event has become a reference for the film industry (the biggest French-speaking comedy stars attend) and the public.
Date of the festival: January
The Gérardmer International Film Festival of Gérardmer
The Gérardmer International Film Festival (Vosges) offers a selection of feature-length and short fantasy films. It takes over from the Avoriaz festival and attracts a large number of spectators and professionals each year. Seven prizes are awarded at the end of the festival.
Festival date: end of January-beginning of February
The Annecy International Film Festival
The Annecy International Film Festival showcases the latest animated films from around 100 countries (92 for the 2019 edition). Five categories of programmes are offered to the audience, which has grown in number over the years: short and feature films, commissioned films, television films and graduation films.
Festival date: June
Our selection of film festivals not to be missed
- The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (end of January)
- The Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinema (February)
- The Beaune International Detective Film Festival (April)
- The Cabourg International Film Festival (June)
- The La Rochelle International Film Festival (late June-early July)
- The Marseille International Documentary Festival (early July)
- Cinémed, the Mediterranean festival in Montpellier (October)
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