Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival
Cinema-meetings around solidarity in Pilat
About Pilat Cinema Solidarity
Created in 2012 on the initiative of the Pilat Regional Natural Park, the Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival brings together residents and players in the Social and Solidarity Economy each November around carefully selected films by the Pilat Cinema Solidarity collective. This travelling festival unfolds in several cinemas and cultural venues in the Pilat region — CinéPilat in Pélussin, CinéMolette in Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, Cinéma le Foyer in Bourg-Argental, Cinéma le Chaplin in Rive-de-Gier, Cinéma VEO Grand Lumière in Saint-Chamond, and the cultural association La Belle Étoile des Haies. For nearly a month, about ten cinema-meetings offer screenings of documentary and fiction films followed by debates with witnesses, associative actors, and solidarity professionals. Each edition explores a central theme related to solidarity: solidarity finance, short supply chains, cooperation, solidarity work, welcoming migrants, access to healthy food, or ecological transition. Three partner media libraries (Pélussin, Bourg-Argental, Saint-Genest-Malifaux) complete the system with a selection of thematic works. The festival is a highlight of cultural and civic life in Pilat, fostering exchanges between residents and the associative and cooperative world of the region.
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The Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival: When Cinema Brings Solidarity to Life
Since 2012, the Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival was born from the desire of the Pilat Regional Natural Park to highlight those who, in the Pilat region and beyond, act differently through the Social and Solidarity Economy. A collective of local actors — cinemas, media libraries, associations — was formed to organize this unifying event each autumn, combining cinema, citizen debate, and human encounters.
A Travelling Festival Rooted in the Region
The festival unfolds throughout the Pilat Regional Natural Park and its surroundings, taking over cinemas and cultural venues in the region for nearly a month. Screenings take place in six partner venues: CinéPilat in Pélussin, CinéMolette in Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, Cinéma le Foyer in Bourg-Argental, Cinéma le Chaplin in Rive-de-Gier, Cinéma VEO Grand Lumière in Saint-Chamond, and the cultural association La Belle Étoile des Haies. Three media libraries complement the initiative with selections of works related to the year's theme.
Cinema-Meetings at the Heart of the Project
The festival's principle is simple and effective: each screening is followed by a debate with witnesses, associative actors, activists, solidarity professionals, or filmmakers. These exchanges allow for further reflection sparked by the films and the discovery of concrete initiatives carried out in the Pilat region and elsewhere. The themes addressed throughout the editions reflect the diversity of solidarity issues: solidarity finance, short agricultural supply chains, workplace cooperation, welcoming migrants, access to healthy and environmentally friendly food, disability, ecological transition, and basic income.
An Open and Participatory Collective
The Pilat Cinema Solidarity collective brings together volunteers from partner cinemas, media libraries, the Pilat Solidarity Collective, and the association La Belle Étoile des Haies. This collective chooses the films and guests each year, operating in a participatory manner and open to anyone wishing to get involved. Coordination is managed by the Pilat Regional Natural Park, particularly by the manager for Local Economy and Cultural Action.
Moments of Conviviality
Beyond screenings and debates, the festival offers moments of conviviality that make it a true meeting point: a festive opening evening with a folk dance, traditional dance workshops, shared meals, solidarity snacks, and hot soups and drinks offered or at a pay-what-you-want price after the sessions. These informal times foster exchanges between spectators, speakers, and associative actors.
Pilat Cinema Solidarity — edition 2026
The 14th edition of the Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival will take place in November 2026 in the cinemas and cultural venues of the Pilat Regional Natural Park. The Pilat Cinema Solidarity collective will offer a new program of cinema-meetings focusing on documentary and fiction films exploring the multiple facets of solidarity.
14th Edition — November 2026
The Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival returns for its 14th edition in November 2026. True to its proven format since 2012, the festival will offer a festive opening evening, about ten cinema-meetings in the partner cinemas of the region, and a thematic selection in the media libraries of Pélussin, Bourg-Argental, and Saint-Genest-Malifaux.
The Pilat Cinema Solidarity collective, composed of volunteers from cinemas, media libraries, and associations in the region, will choose the films and guests around a new central theme related to solidarity. As every year, screenings will be followed by debates with associative actors, solidarity professionals, and filmmakers, allowing for further reflection and the discovery of concrete initiatives.
Screening venues will include CinéPilat in Pélussin, CinéMolette in Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, Cinéma le Foyer in Bourg-Argental, Cinéma le Chaplin in Rive-de-Gier, Cinéma VEO Grand Lumière in Saint-Chamond, and the association La Belle Étoile des Haies.
The full program will be unveiled in autumn 2026 on the website of the Pilat Regional Natural Park.
Programme Pilat Cinema Solidarity 2026
2026 Program
The official program for the 14th edition will be announced in autumn 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Festive opening evening in Pélussin (dance, convivial meal, activities)
- Cinema-meetings in the partner cinemas of Pilat: CinéPilat (Pélussin), CinéMolette (Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette), Cinéma le Foyer (Bourg-Argental), Cinéma le Chaplin (Rive-de-Gier), VEO Grand Lumière (Saint-Chamond), La Belle Étoile (Les Haies)
- Debates with witnesses, associative actors, and filmmakers after each screening
- Young audience screening with adapted short films
- Thematic selection in the media libraries of Pélussin, Bourg-Argental, and Saint-Genest-Malifaux
Highlights Pilat Cinema Solidarity 2026
To Note for 2026
- 14th edition of the Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival
- November 2026, in the cinemas and cultural venues of Pilat
- Cinema-meetings with screenings and debates on solidarity
- Festive opening evening in Pélussin
- Thematic selection in 3 media libraries
- Full program in autumn 2026 on parc-naturel-pilat.fr
Prices Pilat Cinema Solidarity 2026
Practical information — Pilat Cinema Solidarity
Practical Information
Access and Screening Venues
The Pilat Cinema Solidarity Festival is a travelling festival. Screenings take place in several cinemas and venues in the region:
- CinéPilat — 9, rue des Trois Sapins, 42410 Pélussin — Tel: 04 69 32 66 56
- CinéMolette — Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette
- Cinéma le Foyer — Espace Jacques Estérel, Place de la Soierie, 42220 Bourg-Argental — Tel: 04 77 39 18 66
- Cinéma le Chaplin — Rive-de-Gier
- Cinéma VEO Grand Lumière — Saint-Chamond
- La Belle Étoile — Les Haies
Partner Media Libraries
- Pélussin Media Library
- Bourg-Argental Media Library
- Saint-Genest-Malifaux Media Library
Prices
Admission to the cinema-meetings is at the usual rate of the partner cinemas. Some activities (opening evening, workshops, snacks) are offered at a pay-what-you-want or free price. Solidarity meals and soups are offered at a low price (around €4).
Contact
Pilat Regional Natural Park
2, rue Benaÿ — 42410 Pélussin
Phone: 04 74 87 52 01
Email: [email protected]
Festival contact: Alexia Pallay, Manager for Local Economy – Cultural Action
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Pilat Cinema Solidarity at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Pilat Cinema Solidarity
CinéPilat et cinémas partenaires du Pilat
2, rue Benaÿ, 42410 Pélussin