Festival du Premier Film de La Ciotat

Cinema returns to its origins

The Festival du Premier Film de La Ciotat is a unique cinematic event that celebrates the first works of francophone directors every year in June. The festival takes place at the Eden-Théâtre, a legendary venue recognized as the oldest cinema in the world still in operation. It was in this historic place that the Lumière brothers organized the first private film screenings in 1895, making La Ciotat the cradle of world cinema.

A springboard for young directors

The festival features two main competitions: a selection of short films and a selection of feature films, all of which are first films by francophone directors. Each edition presents about ten films in each category, selected from hundreds of submissions. Preview screenings, European films, and films shot in the PACA region complete the program, offering a rich and diverse panorama of young francophone cinematic creation.

The Eden-Théâtre, a historic cinematic gem

The Eden-Théâtre, located in the heart of La Ciotat's city center, is more than just a cinema: it is a historic monument of the seventh art. Built in 1889 and renovated in 2013, it regained its function as a screening room after decades of closure. Its Belle Époque architecture and exceptional history make it a unique setting for a film festival, where festival-goers experience the big screen in the very place where it all began.

A friendly festival open to all

The Festival du Premier Film is distinguished by its friendliness and accessibility. Encounters between directors, jury members, and the public are at the heart of each edition. The Cour du Cinéma at the Eden-Théâtre becomes a place for sharing and exchange, where cinephiles can interact with creators in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. The festival is organized by the association La Ciotat Berceau du Cinéma, in partnership with the City of La Ciotat and the Tourist Office.

La Ciotat, land of cinema

Beyond the festival, La Ciotat maintains a visceral connection with cinema. The city saw the birth of the first film in history, L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat, and continues to cultivate this memory through the Eden-Théâtre, cinematic trails, and cultural events. The Festival du Premier Film is part of this dynamic, helping to maintain La Ciotat as a vibrant place for the creation and celebration of the seventh art.