Documentary Film Month in Isère

The Documentary Film Month in Isère: cinema of reality closer to the public

The Documentary Film Month is a national event coordinated by the association Images en bibliothèques since its creation in 2000. Every year in November, thousands of libraries, media centers, and cultural structures across France organize screenings of documentary films accompanied by meetings, debates, and workshops. In Isère, the Departmental Media Library of Isère coordinates the participation of the department's libraries and offers a specific selection of films.

A rich and eclectic program

The Departmental Media Library of Isère selects about ten documentary films each year, covering various themes: society, environment, history, arts, sciences, nature, mountains, and many other subjects. Most screenings are accompanied by specialized speakers — directors, researchers, journalists, or field actors — who enrich the debate with the public after the screening. Participating libraries create their own programs from this selection and the films offered by the national catalog of Images en bibliothèques.

A traveling and local event

One of the strengths of the Documentary Film Month in Isère lies in its traveling nature. Screenings take place in municipal, inter-municipal, and associative libraries spread throughout the Isère region, from the Alpine valleys to the plains of North Isère, including the Grenoble metropolitan area. This local presence allows it to reach audiences far from traditional cinema distribution channels and to bring documentary cinema closer to the residents.

Documentary cinema: a look at the world

Creative documentary offers a unique perspective on reality, between cinema and journalism, between art and testimony. The Documentary Film Month in Isère helps to discover this cinematic genre, often under-represented in movie theaters. The selected films explore the complexity of the contemporary world with sensitivity and depth, inviting viewers to reflect, be moved, and debate.

Commitment to culture and mediation

The Departmental Media Library of Isère supports participating libraries by providing logistical and financial support: assistance with acquiring screening rights, covering speaker fees, lending equipment and documents on cinema. Training sessions are also offered to librarians to help them with mediation around documentary films. The CinéBib38 program, managed by the Departmental Media Library, supports Isère libraries throughout the year with their film programming.