Festival Confrontation - Institut Jean Vigo
Cinema facing history and the world - Euro-regional Film Archive of Perpignan
About Festival Confrontation
Founded in 1965 by film critic and historian Marcel Oms, the Festival Confrontation is one of the oldest film festivals in France. Organized by the Institut Jean Vigo, the Euro-regional Film Archive of Perpignan, the festival offers around sixty films each year in early May, exploring the link between cinema and history. For five days, the Arsenal in Perpignan hosts screenings, meetings with filmmakers, round tables, and professional workshops as part of Massa Mare, its professional segment.
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Festival Confrontation: Cinema in the Mirror of History
Since 1965, the Festival Confrontation has explored the intimate link between cinema and history. Founded by Marcel Oms, a Catalan film critic and historian, this festival is supported by the Institut Jean Vigo, a Euro-regional film archive located at the Arsenal in Perpignan.
A Thematic and Demanding Festival
Each edition is structured around a theme that guides the selection of about sixty films. The festival explores how cinema represents, questions, and reinvents history and the contemporary world. From documentaries to fiction films, from shorts to features, from classics to the most recent creations, the Festival Confrontation offers a rich and diverse panorama of engaged and reflective cinema.
Themes of Recent Editions
- 2025 (60th edition): "Animal Cinema" — Cinema facing the animal world
- 2026 (61st edition): "Our Futures" — How cinema represents the future we imagine
The Institut Jean Vigo: A Film Archive at the Heart of Perpignan
The Institut Jean Vigo is a Euro-regional film archive located at the Arsenal, 1 rue Jean Vielledent, in the historic center of Perpignan. Named in homage to filmmaker Jean Vigo, born in Paris but son of Catalan activist Miguel Almereyda, the Institute preserves, restores, and distributes a considerable cinematographic heritage, with a particular focus on Catalan, Spanish, and Mediterranean cinemas.
Massa Mare: The Professional Segment
Since its creation, Massa Mare has been the professional workshop of the Festival Confrontation. This professional meeting, organized during the first three days of the festival, brings together filmmakers, producers, distributors, and programmers around film projects in development.
An Ecological and Civic Commitment
The Festival Confrontation is committed to an eco-responsible approach and co-founded the écho(s) collective, bringing together associative festivals committed to environmental issues in the Pyrénées-Orientales, mobilizing 11 festivals in the department.
Festival Confrontation — edition 2026
The 61st edition of the Festival Confrontation will be held from May 6 to 10, 2026, at the Institut Jean Vigo in Perpignan. The theme "Our Futures" will explore how cinema represents the future we imagine and dystopian visions throughout film history. The 3rd edition of Massa Mare, a professional workshop, will take place on May 6, 7, and 8.
61st Edition - May 6 to 10, 2026
The 61st edition of the Festival Confrontation will be held from May 6 to 10, 2026, at the Institut Jean Vigo, with the theme "Our Futures". The festival will explore how cinema represents the future we imagine and dystopian visions throughout the history of the seventh art.
Massa Mare
The 3rd edition of Massa Mare, the festival's professional workshop, will take place on May 6, 7, and 8, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals.
Highlights Festival Confrontation 2026
Highlights of the 2026 Edition
- Theme "Our Futures"
- Massa Mare: professional workshop from May 6 to 8
- Approximately 70 films programmed
- Meetings, round tables, and screenings
Prices Festival Confrontation 2026
Practical information — Festival Confrontation
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: The Arsenal is located in the historic center of Perpignan. Parking nearby: Wilson parking and République parking.
By train: Perpignan station is a 15-minute walk from the Arsenal.
Festival Venue
- Institut Jean Vigo - L'Arsenal: 1 rue Jean Vielledent, 66000 Perpignan
Ticketing
For all information on programming and prices: [email protected] or 04 68 34 09 39.
Accommodation
Perpignan has a varied hotel offer. The Tourist Office can assist you with your search at 04 68 66 30 30.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Festival Confrontation at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Festival Confrontation
Institut Jean Vigo - L'Arsenal
1 rue Jean Vielledent, 66000 Perpignan