Entrevues - International Film Festival of Belfort

Entrevues: forty years of cinematic discoveries in Belfort

Since its creation in 1986 by journalist and film critic Janine Bazin, the Entrevues festival has established itself as one of the most important cinematic events in France. Specializing in first films and ambitious independent cinema, Entrevues has supported the emergence of numerous filmmakers who have since marked the history of world cinema.

A festival dedicated to cinematic beginnings

Entrevues' uniqueness lies in its mission: to highlight filmmakers at the beginning of their careers, those who take risks in form and narrative. The International Competition is open to first, second, and third films, across all categories—features, shorts, and medium-length films, fiction, documentaries, animated, and experimental films. This formal diversity gives the festival a unique identity in the French festival landscape.

Each edition selects about ten short films and ten feature films new to France, from all continents, to compete for the Grand Prix of the city of Belfort and jury awards. The presence of filmmakers is one of the festival's strengths: meetings, masterclasses, and discussions allow the public to get behind the scenes of creation.

Retrospectives and thematic programs

Beyond the competition, Entrevues stands out for the quality of its thematic programs and retrospectives, which allow for a revisit of cinema history through new perspectives. Each edition features a tribute to a filmmaker, an era, or a genre, with restored prints and rare screenings.

The 40th edition (2025): forty years of boldness

The 40th edition of the festival, from November 17 to 23, 2025, was a foundational moment in Entrevues' history. Under the theme of "forty years of cinema, encounters, and artistic boldness," it offered an exceptional program centered on friendship in cinema, a retrospective dedicated to RKO productions, and a tribute to the Larrieu brothers with the presence of Mathieu Amalric. The international competition highlighted films from the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Georgia, and Ivory Coast.

The 2026 edition: 41st edition, November 16 to 22

The 41st edition will take place from November 16 to 22, 2026, at Kinepolis Belfort. Submissions for the International Competition are open until July 31, 2026, for the regular deadline, and until October 6, 2026, for the late deadline. The program will be announced in the fall of 2026.

A strong Belfort and regional anchor

Supported by the City of Belfort, the Department, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, and the CNC, Entrevues is a festival deeply rooted in its territory while having an international reach. The partnership with Kinepolis Belfort, the Cinémathèque française, and Canal+ testifies to its national scope.