Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues
The cinema of new generations in Biarritz
About Nouvelles Vagues
Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues: Young Cinema in the Spotlight
Since its creation in 2023, the Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues has established itself as an unmissable cinematic event on the Basque Coast. Every year at the end of June, Biarritz hosts emerging talents from global cinema for six days, with a program entirely focused on youth and new generations.
A Demanding International Competition
The heart of the festival is its international competition, which presents eight feature films in their French premiere. A prestigious jury, composed of figures from cinema and culture, awards the Nouvelles Vagues prize to the best film. This selection reflects the diversity of contemporary cinema, with works from around the world that carry the voices and concerns of young generations.
A Rich and Eclectic Program
Beyond the official competition, the festival offers over thirty additional films divided into several sections:
- Outdoor Screenings: Free sessions facing the ocean, in spectacular settings
- Gazteria Section: A program dedicated to young Basque audiences and local culture
- Major Premieres: Highly anticipated films screened exclusively
- Professional Meetings: Networking events for cinema professionals
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
The choice of Biarritz is not insignificant. The city, with its rich cultural history and exceptional setting between the ocean and mountains, offers a unique backdrop for this festival that aims to become a European benchmark for emerging cinema. Screenings take place in the city's historic cinemas and outdoor spaces, creating a festive and accessible atmosphere.
The Urgency of Youth
The festival's editorial line is clear: to highlight the stories, struggles, and aspirations of contemporary youth. The selected films address strong societal themes—identity, commitment, environment, digital—carried by young directors who are renewing the cinematic language.
Nouvelles Vagues — edition 2026
The 4th edition of the Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues takes place from June 23 to 28, 2026 in Biarritz, chaired by actress and director Kristen Stewart. For six days, the festival presents an international competition of eight feature films never before released in French cinemas, complemented by over thirty films, free open-air screenings on the beach, and special sessions around the two transversal themes of this edition: Cinema & Artificial Intelligence and Cinema & Ocean.
4th Edition — June 23 to 28, 2026
The Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues celebrates its fourth edition from June 23 to 28, 2026, confirming its place among the essential events for international emerging cinema. Each year, the festival gathers nearly 10,000 spectators around the voice of young generations through world cinema.
Kristen Stewart, Jury President
American actress and director Kristen Stewart presides over the international jury of this 4th edition. She is surrounded by a jury composed of international personalities and artists under 35 who will discover the eight feature films in competition. Two other juries complete the setup: an international jury of film school students and a jury of young beneficiaries of the Pass Culture.
Two Transversal Themes for 2026
This edition explores two strong themes:
- Cinema & Artificial Intelligence — how AI transforms cinematic creation, narratives, and imaginaries
- Cinema & Ocean — a dialogue between the 7th art and the marine environment, resonating with the territory of Biarritz
A Rich Program
In addition to the official competition, the festival offers over thirty films divided into parallel sections: previews, special screenings (Beach session, New Wave session, Zoroa session — “crazy” in Basque), a Gazteria section dedicated to young audiences, as well as meetings with film crews, concerts, and an awards ceremony.
Nouvelles Vagues - Fondation Barrière Grant
The Nouvelles Vagues - Fondation Barrière 2026 Grant supports emerging producer/director duos for a first feature film. Public pitches will be held on June 24, 2026 in Biarritz, followed by the award ceremony during the festival.
Free Open-Air Screenings
As every year, free open-air screenings are organized on Biarritz beach, open to all without reservation: a highlight and accessible moment of the edition, which has become one of the festival's signatures.
The detailed day-by-day program (titles of feature films in competition, short films, special screenings, schedules) will be announced by the organization in the weeks preceding the festival on nouvelles-vagues.org.
Highlights Nouvelles Vagues 2026
- Kristen Stewart president of the 2026 jury
- 8 feature films in international competition, all unreleased in French cinemas
- Over 30 films programmed over 6 days
- Transversal themes: Cinema & AI and Cinema & Ocean
- Free open-air screenings on the beach
- Nouvelles Vagues - Fondation Barrière Grant: public pitches on June 24
- Three juries: international (artists under 35), film school students, young people from Pass Culture
Prices Nouvelles Vagues 2026
Practical information — Nouvelles Vagues
Practical Information
Festival Venues
The heart of the festival is held at Cinéma Le Royal, 8 avenue du Maréchal Foch in Biarritz. The festival also takes over other cultural venues in the city and offers free open-air screenings on the beach every year, accessible to all.
Access and Transport
By car: Biarritz is accessible via the A63 motorway (Biarritz exit). Paid parking is available in the city centre, near Cinéma Le Royal and other screening venues.
By train: Biarritz train station is served by TGV from Paris (4h30), Bordeaux (2h), and Toulouse (3h30). The city centre is accessible by Chronoplus urban bus or taxi.
By plane: Biarritz-Pays Basque airport is 5 minutes from the city centre.
Ticketing
Tickets are available online on the official website nouvelles-vagues.org and at Cinéma Le Royal. Full passes, day passes, evening passes, and single tickets are available, with reduced rates for those under 35, students, job seekers, recipients of social benefits, and people with disabilities. The festival is a partner of the Pass Culture.
Open-air screenings on the beach are free and open to all, without reservation.
Accommodation
Hotels, residences, and seasonal rentals in Biarritz and neighbouring towns (Anglet, Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz). The festival takes place in late June, the beginning of the high season on the Côte Basque: early booking is highly recommended.
Contact
Email: [email protected] — Official website: www.nouvelles-vagues.org
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Where does it take place — Nouvelles Vagues
Cinéma Le Royal
8 avenue du Maréchal Foch, 64200 Biarritz, 64200 Biarritz