Festival du Premier Film de La Ciotat

Cinema returns to its origins

The La Ciotat First Film Festival is a unique cinematic event that celebrates the first works of French-speaking directors every year in June. The festival is held 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 birthplace of world cinema.

A springboard for young directors

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

The Eden-Théâtre, a historic setting for cinema

The Eden-Théâtre, located in the heart of La Ciotat's city center, is much more than a cinema hall: it is a historic monument of the seventh art. Built in 1889 and renovated in 2013, it has regained its purpose as a projection 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 First Film Festival stands out for its friendliness and accessibility. Meetings 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 film lovers 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 link 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 tours, and cultural events. The First Film Festival is part of this dynamic, helping to keep La Ciotat a vibrant place for creation and celebration of the seventh art.