Festival Ciné Fête

A festival of engaged cinema on the Haut-Lignon plateau

Each summer, at the end of July, the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon hosts Ciné Fête, a film festival that combines artistic excellence and civic engagement. Located at the Cinéma Scoop, an air-conditioned cinema in the heart of this Haute-Loire village classified among the "Righteous Among the Nations", the festival explores past and present forms of resistance through the seventh art.

From resistances to dialogue, from yesterday to today

The central theme of the festival — "From resistances to dialogue, from yesterday to today, from here and elsewhere" — permeates the entire program. Ciné Fête questions individual and collective struggles, fights for freedom and dignity, female perspectives on French, Italian, and Indian societies, and cinematic creation in dramatic contexts. This approach resonates deeply with the history of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a land of refuge and resistance during World War II.

A rich and diverse program

Over a week, the festival unfolds a dense and varied program:

• Feature films and documentaries in their original version, often presented as exclusives or national premieres
• Debates and meetings with renowned directors, film critics, historians, and speakers — six speakers enrich each edition
• Retrospectives and tributes to great figures of cinema, such as Agnès Varda or Joséphine Baker
• Children's screenings with animated films and family-friendly sessions
• Theater and cinema evenings combining readings, stage performances, and screenings
• Social gatherings: opening aperitifs, friendly drinks, and evenings at the Gare Café

A festival driven by a passion for cinema

Ciné Fête is the work of Alain Déléage, a cinema enthusiast and cultural figure of the Haut-Lignon. The festival is supported by the Town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, the AFCAE (French Association of Art House Cinemas), and distributors such as ACID and ADRC. This synergy between volunteers, film professionals, and local authorities makes it possible to offer a high-quality program in an intimate and warm setting.

Cinéma Scoop, the festival's jewel box

Screenings take place at the Cinéma Scoop, an air-conditioned cinema located on rue de la Poste in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. This independent cinema, one of the few in the Haute-Loire department, is an essential cultural venue for the Haut-Lignon region. Its year-round art-house programming sets the stage for the summer buzz of Ciné Fête.

Strong territorial roots

Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, perched at nearly 1,000 meters above sea level on the Vivarais-Lignon plateau, offers a preserved natural setting and exceptional memorial heritage. The festival is part of this unique identity, using cinema as a vector for memory, dialogue, and openness to the world. Ciné Fête contributes to the cultural attractiveness of the Haut-Lignon in the summer, alongside other events like Musiques en Vivarais-Lignon.