Castillonnès Film Festival
Cinema festival in the heart of the bastide of Castillonnès
About CastiFilmFest
Born in 2022 from a shared desire to create a significant cultural event, the Castillonnès Film Festival is held in one of the oldest cinemas in France, Ciné 4, founded in 1983 and labeled Art et Essai. Every year in September, this medieval bastide in Lot-et-Garonne hosts ten days of screenings, concerts, exhibitions, and meetings around the seventh art. The festival awards the Jacques Tati Film Awards, paying homage to the legendary filmmaker whose film "Mon Oncle" ("Playtime" in some regions) was shot in Castillonnès.
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A festival rooted in cinema history
The Castillonnès Film Festival was born in 2022 from a collective initiative to celebrate the exceptional cinematic heritage of this bastide in Lot-et-Garonne. The festival takes place at Ciné 4, an associative cinema founded in 1983, one of the oldest cinemas still in operation in France, labeled Art et Essai. Castillonnès has a special connection to cinema, as Jacques Tati shot scenes for his cult film Mon Oncle (1958) there.
The Jacques Tati Film Awards
The centerpiece of the festival, the Jacques Tati Film Awards, rewards films submitted by directors from around the world via the FilmFreeway platform. The festival accepts all nationalities, genres, and languages, provided that non-French-speaking films are subtitled in French. Submitted works must be less than two years old.
Categories and selections
- Short films: fiction and experimental works
- Independent films: feature films outside traditional circuits
- Documentaries: unique perspectives on the world
- Preview screenings: exclusive national releases
A rich and multidisciplinary program
Beyond screenings, the festival offers a varied cultural program that enlivens the bastide for ten days:
- Film screenings: preview screenings, restored classics, short films, and documentaries
- Gala evening and Jacques Tati Film Awards ceremony
- Exhibitions at Salle Carbonnier: photographs, props, and costumes related to Jacques Tati and the filming of Mon Oncle
- Concerts and shows: musical performances around cinema and French chanson
- Screenwriting workshops led by professional screenwriters, particularly for young people from middle schools, high schools, and leisure centers
- Conferences and debates: meetings with cinema professionals
- Improvisation workshops and cocktail parties
Cinema in the heart of a medieval bastide
The festival takes over several emblematic locations in Castillonnès:
- Ciné 4, Place Jasmin: the historic cinema hosts the main screenings and the awards ceremony
- Salle Carbonnier: space dedicated to exhibitions and workshops
- The bastide: the alleys and squares of this medieval village serve as a backdrop for outdoor activities
Prestigious patronage
The festival benefits from the patronage of recognized French cinema professionals. In 2023, Olivier Gorce, a screenwriter who collaborated on films such as The Measure of a Man, In the Hands of God, and Chocolat, sponsored the event and led screenwriting workshops. The festival is supported by the Castillonnès town hall and maintains close ties with the Sarlat Film Festival.
CastiFilmFest — edition 2026
5th edition of the Castillonnès Film Festival. Screenings, Jacques Tati Film Awards, meetings with cinema professionals, and writing workshops at Ciné 4, in the heart of the medieval bastide of Castillonnès in Lot-et-Garonne.
Practical information — CastiFilmFest
Access and location
The Castillonnès Film Festival primarily takes place at Ciné 4, located at Place Jasmin, 47330 Castillonnès, in the northern part of the Lot-et-Garonne department, about 25 km south of Bergerac.
How to get there
- By car: Castillonnès is accessible via the D2 from Bergerac (25 min) or the D124 from Villeneuve-sur-Lot (40 min). Free parking in the village.
- Nearest train station: Bergerac (25 km) with TER connections to Bordeaux and Sarlat
- Airport: Bergerac Dordogne Périgord (30 km)
Schedules
- Screenings take place during the day and evening at Ciné 4
- Exhibitions at Salle Carbonnier are accessible throughout the festival
- Workshops and conferences follow a detailed schedule announced before each edition
Prices
- Consult the program for each edition for ticket prices for screenings and events
- Some activities and exhibitions are free access
Film submissions
Directors wishing to submit a film for the Jacques Tati Film Awards can do so via the FilmFreeway platform. Submitted works must:
- Be less than 2 years old
- Include French subtitles for non-French-speaking films
- Be accompanied by a synopsis, a director's biography, at least 2 film stills, and an online viewing link
Contact
- Phone: 05 53 36 92 14 (Ciné 4)
- Email: [email protected]
- Submissions: FilmFreeway - Castillonnes Film Awards
Accessibility
The Ciné 4 cinema is located in the town center of Castillonnès. Contact the organization for any questions regarding accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — CastiFilmFest
Ciné 4
Place Jasmin, 47330 Castillonnès