Castillonnès Film Festival

A festival rooted in cinema history

The Castillonnès Film Festival was born in 2022 from a collective initiative to celebrate the exceptional cinematic heritage of this bastide in Lot-et-Garonne. The festival takes place at Ciné 4, an associative cinema founded in 1983, one of the oldest cinemas still in operation in France, labeled Art et Essai. Castillonnès has a special connection to cinema, as Jacques Tati shot scenes for his cult film Mon Oncle (1958) there.

The Jacques Tati Film Awards

The centerpiece of the festival, the Jacques Tati Film Awards, rewards films submitted by directors from around the world via the FilmFreeway platform. The festival accepts all nationalities, genres, and languages, provided that non-French-speaking films are subtitled in French. Submitted works must be less than two years old.

Categories and selections

• Short films: fiction and experimental works
• Independent films: feature films outside traditional circuits
• Documentaries: unique perspectives on the world
• Preview screenings: exclusive national releases

A rich and multidisciplinary program

Beyond screenings, the festival offers a varied cultural program that enlivens the bastide for ten days:

• Film screenings: preview screenings, restored classics, short films, and documentaries
• Gala evening and Jacques Tati Film Awards ceremony
• Exhibitions at Salle Carbonnier: photographs, props, and costumes related to Jacques Tati and the filming of Mon Oncle
• Concerts and shows: musical performances around cinema and French chanson
• Screenwriting workshops led by professional screenwriters, particularly for young people from middle schools, high schools, and leisure centers
• Conferences and debates: meetings with cinema professionals
• Improvisation workshops and cocktail parties

Cinema in the heart of a medieval bastide

The festival takes over several emblematic locations in Castillonnès:

• Ciné 4, Place Jasmin: the historic cinema hosts the main screenings and the awards ceremony
• Salle Carbonnier: space dedicated to exhibitions and workshops
• The bastide: the alleys and squares of this medieval village serve as a backdrop for outdoor activities

Prestigious patronage

The festival benefits from the patronage of recognized French cinema professionals. In 2023, Olivier Gorce, a screenwriter who collaborated on films such as The Measure of a Man, In the Hands of God, and Chocolat, sponsored the event and led screenwriting workshops. The festival is supported by the Castillonnès town hall and maintains close ties with the Sarlat Film Festival.