Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine
Festival of Latin American Cinema and Cultures in Biarritz
2026
About Biarritz Amérique Latine
Biarritz Amérique Latine — edition 2026
35th edition of the Biarritz Latin America Festival (FBAL), from September 26 to October 2, 2026 in Biarritz. A week of Latin American cinema, music, literature, and gastronomy, with Uruguay and Cuba in the spotlight.
A 35th edition celebrating Uruguay and Cuba
For its 35th edition, from September 26th to October 2nd, 2026, the Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine honors Uruguay and Cuba, with several film cycles and special events dedicated to their filmmakers, artists, and musical traditions.
Film competitions
The festival maintains its three official competitions: fiction, documentary, and short film. The documentary and short film selections are unveiled in early August, with ten films each; the fiction competition is yet to be announced. These are complemented by previews, special screenings, tributes, and screenings for young audiences. The Jury des Biarrots returns: three Biarritz residents watch the fiction competition films and vote for their favorite. Franco-Chilean filmmaker and writer Carmen Castillo chairs the documentary jury.
Music, Village, and meetings
Concerts, exhibitions, debates, academic meetings, and culinary tastings also take place in the city's squares, cafes, and cultural spaces. The Festival Village is located at the Casino Municipal, facing the ocean, and remains open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM: free concerts and DJ sets every evening, eleven craft workshops, and about fifteen stalls. Cuban writer Leonardo Padura will be hosted for a literary meeting on Monday, September 28th.
Septeto Santiaguero in concert
The Cuban group Septeto Santiaguero performs at the Gare du Midi on Wednesday, September 30th at 9:00 PM (29 €). Founded in 1995 in Santiago de Cuba, two-time Latin Grammy winner, they perpetuate the tradition of Cuban son, guaracha, and bolero-son, and have performed with Rubén Blades, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, and Charlie Aponte.
Festival venues
The FBAL takes place in three Biarritz locations: the Casino de Biarritz (screenings, ceremonies, and Village), the Gare du Midi (opening, awards, and closing ceremonies, concert), and the Le Royal cinema.
Highlights Biarritz Amérique Latine 2026
- 35th edition, from Saturday, September 26th to Friday, October 2nd, 2026
- Uruguay and Cuba as guests of honor
- Septeto Santiaguero at the Gare du Midi on Wednesday, September 30th at 9:00 PM (29 €)
- Documentary and short film competitions revealed: 20 films; fiction selection to come
- Carmen Castillo chairs the documentary jury
- Leonardo Padura in a literary meeting on Monday, September 28th
- "Fumée, graine, racine" exhibition by Isadora Romero
- Free access to concerts and DJ sets every evening at the Village, open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Eleven craft workshops at 10 € and fifteen stalls at the Casino Municipal
Programme Biarritz Amérique Latine 2026
The 35th edition takes place from Saturday, September 26th to Friday, October 2nd, 2026, across the Casino Municipal, the Gare du Midi, and the Le Royal cinema. While the official selections and the Village program are now available, the screening schedule will be released in the festival catalogue, which is free to view online.
Documentary Competition
- A fabulosa máquina do tempo — Eliza Capai · Brazil · 72'
- Diciembre — Lucas Gallo · Uruguay-Argentina · 105'
- En tierra — Simón Uribe Martínez · Colombia-France · 80'
- Llamarse Olimpia — Indira Cato · Mexico · 75'
- Los niños sin tierra — René Ballesteros · Chile-France · 97'
- Los vencedores — Pablo Aparo · Argentina · 100'
- Nada sobre nosotros — Omar Vergara · Ecuador · 85'
- Niñas escarlata — Paula Cury · Dominican Republic-Mexico-Germany · 70'
- Nosotras — Pricila Aguirre · Ecuador · 106'
- Pau d'Arco — Ana Aranha · Brazil · 85'
The jury is chaired by the Franco-Chilean filmmaker and writer Carmen Castillo, who will be presenting her feature film Lo que en nosotros calla in Biarritz.
Short Film Competition
Ten films selected from hundreds of entries, all competing for the Abrazo for Best Short Film.
- Allá en el Cielo — Roddy Dextre · Peru-Colombia-Spain-Mexico · 18'
- Caso isolado — Jamila Facury and Edson Lemos Akatoy · Brazil · 23'
- Chulquín — Laura Pérez Rivera · Colombia · 11'
- Época de plagas — Gabriela Calvache · Ecuador-Spain-United States · 19'
- La hora de irse — Renzo Cozza · Argentina · 20'
- Miriam — Karla Condado · Mexico · 20'
- Norheimsund — Ana A. Alpízar · Cuba-United States · 12'
- Os arcos dourados de Olinda — Douglas Henrique · Brazil · 24'
- Para los contrincantes — Federico Luis · Chile-Mexico-United Kingdom · 14'
- Pelotón Trueno — Theo Montoya · Colombia-France · 15'
Fiction Competition
The selection and the fiction jury are yet to be announced. The Prix des Biarrots, awarded by three local residents who watch all the films in the fiction competition, will return this year.
Out of Competition
Seven sections have been announced, with films to be confirmed: Opening and Closing, Special Screenings, Previews, Tribute to Uruguayan Culture, News from Cuba, Invitation to the Bogoshort festival, and the Award Ceremony short films.
Ceremonies at the Gare du Midi
- Saturday, September 26th — Opening Ceremony
- Thursday, October 1st — Awards Ceremony, followed by the winners' cocktail party
- Friday, October 2nd — Closing Ceremony
An honorary Abrazo ceremony is also included in the festival pass program.
Concert at the Gare du Midi
- Wednesday, September 30th, 9:00 PM — Septeto Santiaguero · Cuban son, guaracha, bolero-son · Cuba · 29 €. Founded in 1995 in Santiago de Cuba, the group has won two Latin Grammys and performed with Rubén Blades, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, and Charlie Aponte.
The Festival Village — Casino Municipal
Open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM, facing the ocean. Free access to concerts and DJ sets every evening.
- Saturday, September 26th — Concert: Graziela Bianco (pop, acoustic · Brazil) and Sambastian (samba · Brazil). DJ set: INNA (hip hop, funk · Brazil)
- Sunday, September 27th — Concert: Sara Curruchich (rock and folk · Guatemala), the first indigenous Guatemalan singer-songwriter to sing in Kaqchikel internationally. DJ set: MaxOne (latin fusion · Colombia)
- Monday, September 28th — Concert: EmmaFleurs (transatlantic pop · Mexico). DJ set: Discocó (Japanese salsa, Cuban disco, Haitian latin jazz, on vinyl)
- Tuesday, September 29th — Concert: Tropicante (pop, jazz · Ecuador). DJ sets: Lorenzo Salvador (jazz, reggae · France, Brazil) and Ma Flo (rock, jazz · Mexico)
- Wednesday, September 30th — Concert: Aluminé Guerrero (neofolk, electro · Argentina) and Barbara Luna (world fusion · Argentina). DJ set: WandaWitt (Argentina)
- Thursday, October 1st — Concert: Somos Naí (latin electro pop · Cuba). DJ sets: La Vague Tropicale (cumbia, merengue · Chile), Armando (salsa, reggaeton · Cuba), and Vitamlyn (kuduro, batida, afro house · Angola, Congo)
- Friday, October 2nd — Concert: CARAMELOCO (salsa · Cuba). DJ sets: El Batif (baile funk, neo-perreo, salsa, bossa nova) and La Prieto (neo-perreo · Colombia)
Literary Meeting
- Monday, September 28th — Leonardo Padura, Salon des Ambassadeurs at the Casino Municipal (time to be confirmed). The Cuban writer, creator of detective Mario Conde and winner of the Princess of Asturias Award for Literature, will present Aller à La Havane and Morir en la arena.
Exhibition
"Fumée, graine, racine" by Isadora Romero, an Ecuadorian photographer, co-founder of Ruda Colectiva, and National Geographic explorer. Six years of research in Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico on the disappearance of seeds and the memory of indigenous knowledge.
Craft Workshops — Village, Casino Municipal
Registration required with each instructor, 10 people maximum per workshop, materials provided.
- Mexican embroidery (Tenango) with Viviana, Melon Creations · 10 € / 2h — Saturday 26th at 2:00 PM, Sunday 27th at 4:30 PM, Tuesday 29th at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 1st at 4:30 PM
- Peruvian embroidery (Ayacucho flower) with Viviana, Melon Creations · 10 € / 2h — Saturday 26th at 4:30 PM, Monday 28th at 11:00 AM, Tuesday 29th at 2:00 PM, Friday, October 2nd at 2:00 PM
- Arpilleras chilenas with Viviana, Melon Creations · 10 € / 2h — Sunday 27th at 11:00 AM, Monday 28th at 2:00 PM, Tuesday 29th at 4:30 PM, Friday, October 2nd at 4:30 PM
- Repoussé metal with Viviana, Melon Creations · 10 € / 2h — Sunday 27th at 2:00 PM, Monday 28th at 4:30 PM, Thursday, October 1st at 11:00 AM
- Pen and ink drawing with Sofía · ages 8+ · 10 € / 2h · in Spanish — Saturday 26th at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, Sunday 27th at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
- Pom-pom keychains with Macarena, Atipika · 10 € / 1h — Tuesday 29th at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, Wednesday 30th at 11:00 AM and 1:45 PM, Thursday, October 1st at 11:00 AM and 1:45 PM
- Pom-pom bag charms with Macarena, Atipika · 10 € / 1h — Tuesday 29th at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM, Wednesday 30th at 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM, Thursday, October 1st at 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM
- Peruvian crochet with Fiorella, Le Fabuleux Crochet · 10 € / 1h — Wednesday 30th at 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM, Thursday, October 1st at 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM, Friday, October 2nd at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
- Floral quilling, decorated initials with Karmen · 10 € / 2h · in Spanish — Friday, October 2nd at 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM
- Zoo quilling with Karmen · 10 € / 2h · in Spanish — Wednesday 30th at 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM
- Iris folding with Karmen · 10 € / 2h · in Spanish — Monday 28th at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM
Craft Stalls — from 10:00 AM at the Village
La Maison Péruvienne (Peru), Art d'Amazonie (Brazil), Sinduli (Colombia), Moclan (South Basque Country), Gozo Natural Botanicals (Costa Rica), Evu Arts & Créations (Argentina), Art des Andes (Peru), Inca Ayar (Peru), Chasqui Handmade (Peru), Artisanat mexicain (Mexico), Anahi Bijoux (Brazil), Caminito al Sur (Argentina, Latin grocery and catering), Muchito (Peru), Wary (Ecuador), Mano del Inca (Peru).
Also on the program
Academic meetings hosted by IHEAL, debates, culinary tastings, and thematic tours for school groups.
Prices Biarritz Amérique Latine 2026
The weekly pass provides access to all film screenings subject to availability, all ceremonies (opening, honorary abrazo, awards, closing), a discount on the Septeto Santiaguero concert, and the printed catalogue for 5 €.
The reduced rate is reserved for social welfare recipients, people with disabilities, job seekers, students and those under 25, members of the Scène Nationale de Bayonne, Synergies cardholders, and members of the Biarritz Festivals and Aflacoba associations, upon presentation of proof.
The Abrazo pass includes the Septeto Santiaguero concert, the printed catalogue, a cotton tote bag, a reusable cup, the winners' cocktail on Thursday, October 1st, a breakfast with the selectors, and a reserved seat at the Gare du Midi during gala evenings.
Septeto Santiaguero concert (Gare du Midi, Wednesday, September 30th at 9:00 PM): 29 €, separate ticketing.
Village concerts and DJ sets: free access.
Craft workshops: 10 €, registration required with each instructor.
Festival catalogue free online, printed version 5 € with the purchase of a pass.
Online ticketing via Billetweb.
Practical information — Biarritz Amérique Latine
Access
The festival takes place in the city center of Biarritz.
- By car: A63 motorway, exit Biarritz. Parking at the Casino and in the city center.
- By train: Biarritz station or Bayonne station, then bus.
- By plane: Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport, then taxi or shuttle.
Venues
Casino de Biarritz, 1 avenue Edouard VII; Gare du Midi, 23 avenue du Maréchal Foch; Cinéma Le Royal, 64200 Biarritz.
Schedules
Screenings and events throughout the day. Free concerts in the evening.
Prices
Paid tickets for screenings. Free concerts in the evening at the Casino. Festival pass available.
Ticketing
Tickets on sale on Billetweb and at the box offices of the screening venues.
Contact
Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine
Website: www.festivaldebiarritz.com
Accessibility
The main festival venues are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Accommodation nearby
Biarritz offers a wide choice of accommodation. Booking is recommended for late September.
The Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine: A Window onto Latin America
Since 1991, the Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine (FBAL) has opened a window onto the cinemas and cultures of Latin America every autumn in the heart of the Basque Coast. This festival, the most important of its kind in France, offers a rich program for a week in September, blending film screenings, debates, literary encounters, exhibitions, and concerts.
Film Competitions
The heart of the festival lies in three official competitions:
- Fiction Competition: The best Latin American feature fiction films of the year are presented and judged by an international jury.
- Documentary Competition: A selection of documentaries that bear witness to the social, political, and cultural realities of Latin America.
- Short Film Competition: A panorama of young talents in Latin American cinema through innovative and bold short films.
Beyond Cinema
The FBAL is not limited to cinema. The festival offers a complete cultural program:
- Literary Encounters: Latin American authors are invited for readings, debates, and signings, highlighting the richness of the continent's literature.
- Free Concerts: Every evening, the Casino de Biarritz hosts free concerts with Latin American music artists: salsa, cumbia, bossa nova, tango, and other captivating rhythms.
- Exhibitions: Contemporary Latin American art exhibitions accompany the program.
- Gastronomy: Tastings and culinary workshops allow participants to discover the flavors of Latin America.
Festival Venues
The FBAL takes place in three emblematic venues in Biarritz:
- Casino de Biarritz: Main venue for screenings, ceremonies, and evening free concerts.
- Gare du Midi: Screening room and meeting space.
- Cinéma Le Royal: Screenings of competition films and special sessions.
A Bridge Between Two Continents
The Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine plays a unique role as a cultural bridge between Europe and Latin America. By celebrating the continent's cinematic and cultural creations, the festival contributes to greater mutual understanding and fruitful artistic exchanges. The FBAL has helped introduce many Latin American filmmakers in France who have since become international references.
Organization and Commitment
The festival is organized by the association Biarritz Festivals, which has been championing this ambitious cultural project for over thirty years. The FBAL benefits from the support of numerous institutional and private partners and relies on a team of passionate volunteers who contribute to the event's success each year.
Where does it take place — Biarritz Amérique Latine
Biarritz Amérique Latine in brief
History of Biarritz Amérique Latine
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Biarritz
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