Ciné des Villes, Ciné des Champs

Cinema in a 15th-century castle

Ciné des Villes, Ciné des Champs takes place every October at the Cinéma Claude Miller, the community theater in Bourganeuf located in a 15th-century castle on the Place du Mail. The Lavaud Soubranne association, founded in 2010 by Claude and Annie Miller, has been organizing the festival since 2011. Dates vary from year to year: October 27–30 in 2022, October 26–29 in 2023, October 23–27 in 2024, October 30–November 2 in 2025, and October 29–31 in 2026.

Previews and guest appearances

The lineup blends previews, classic cinema, recent hits, and documentaries, many of which were selected at Cannes. Every screening is followed by a discussion with the audience, often featuring the directors, producers, or actors involved. Since 2011, the festival has welcomed guests such as Jean-Pierre Améris, Philippe Le Guay, Catherine Corsini, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, Audrey Tautou, Julie Depardieu, Patrick Bouchitey, Gérard Pires, Cyril Dion, Ludivine Sagnier, Yves Jacques, James Thierrée, Anne Brochet, Maya Sansa, Anne Le Ny, and Marina Hands. The audience awards the Prix Claude Miller, which was presented in 2024 to À bicyclette by Mathias Mlekuz.

A shrinking budget

The 15th edition, running from October 30 to November 2, 2025, under the theme "tenderness despite everything," brought together 1,000 to 2,000 spectators for 14 films, including 8 previews. The festival was shortened to four days instead of five following an €8,500 reduction in subsidies, primarily from the DRAC and FDVA. The festival is supported by the DRAC, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Creuse department, the Creuse Sud-Ouest and Creuse Grand Sud intercommunal authorities, the FDVA, and the municipality of Vallière, with logistical support provided by the town of Bourganeuf.