De la Plume à l'Écran

De la Plume à l'Écran: Indigenous Cinemas in Mayenne

The association De la Plume à l'Écran has been working since 2009 to distribute and promote Indigenous cinemas throughout France. Its objective: to make the cinematographic and audiovisual creations of First Nations visible, while supporting their cultural and narrative sovereignty on the international stage.

The Ciné Alter'Natif Festival

The centerpiece of the association, the Ciné Alter'Natif Festival is the only French festival entirely dedicated to films made or produced by Indigenous artists. Created in 2009, it is held mainly in Nantes and Paris, but its reach extends far beyond through touring screenings organized across France.

• Screenings of documentary and fiction films from five continents.
• Meetings with Indigenous directors.
• Debates and round tables on the representation of First Nations in cinema.
• Thematic programming renewed each year (sports, environment, resistance, languages).

Presence in Mayenne

The association regularly intervenes in Mayenne, particularly within the framework of the Reflets du cinéma en Mayenne festival, organized by Atmosphères 53. During the 2024 edition, dedicated to Canadian cinema, De la Plume à l'Écran accompanied several screenings in Laval, Mayenne, Évron, Montsûrs, and Château-Gontier, highlighting Canadian Indigenous cinemas.

Among the films presented were major works such as "Je m'appelle humain" by Kim Obomsawin, a poignant documentary about the Innu poet Joséphine Bacon, and film adaptations by Indigenous authors like the Māori writer Witi Ihimaera.

Commitment to Cultural Diversity

Beyond screenings, De la Plume à l'Écran conducts cultural mediation work with school audiences, media libraries, and cultural institutions. The association has published several reference works on Indigenous cinemas and participates in numerous festivals and conferences worldwide. Its actions contribute to enriching the cultural landscape of Mayenne by opening windows onto cultures and stories that are too often unknown.