Du Silex aux Étoiles Scientific Film Festival

Du Silex aux Étoiles: A Scientific Journey Through the Alpes de Haute-Provence

The "Du Silex aux Étoiles" festival is an annual event dedicated to scientific documentary cinema, organized by the Departmental Council of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. This traveling festival offers open-air screenings at three major heritage and scientific sites in the department, providing a unique journey from prehistory to astronomy.

Three Exceptional Sites for Three Evenings of Discovery

The festival unfolds over three evenings at three emblematic locations:

• Salagon Museum, Museum and Gardens (Mane): A medieval priory classified as a historic monument, a Museum of France, and remarkable ethnobotanical gardens. The opening evening is traditionally held as part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins (Garden Visits) event.
• Astronomy Center (Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire): A reference site for sky observation and scientific outreach in astronomy, near the CNRS Haute-Provence Observatory.
• Museum of Prehistory of the Verdon Gorges (Quinson): One of the largest prehistoric museums in Europe, designed by architect Norman Foster. The closing evening is part of the European Archaeology Days.

A Program at the Crossroads of Science and Cinema

Each edition features a selection of documentary films addressing various scientific themes:

• Archaeology and Prehistory: Excavations, discoveries, and reconstructions of our ancient past.
• Astronomy and Space: Exploration of the cosmos, stargazing, and space research.
• Geology and Paleontology: Formation of landscapes, fossils, and Earth's history.
• Ethnology and Anthropology: World cultures, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
• Environment and Energy: Climate challenges, biodiversity, and energy transitions.

Each screening is followed by a discussion with researchers and specialists, creating a privileged space for dialogue between the scientific world and the general public. This educational approach distinguishes the festival by allowing spectators to better understand the stakes of contemporary research.

A Free and Accessible Festival for Everyone

Driven by the Department's commitment to making culture and science accessible to as many people as possible, the "Du Silex aux Étoiles" festival is entirely free. Screenings, scheduled for early summer evenings (9:30 PM), take place outdoors in exceptional natural and heritage settings, offering an immersive experience where cinema, science, and nature blend harmoniously.

The Department, a Major Cultural Player

The festival is part of the cultural policy of the Departmental Council of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, which directly manages the three departmental museums hosting the screenings. By creating this festival, the Department promotes its museum heritage while offering an original cultural program that invites the public to explore the region and discover its scientific and heritage riches.