Festival du Premier Film de La Ciotat
Festival of the first francophone film at the Eden-Théâtre, cradle of world cinema
About Festival du Premier Film
The La Ciotat First Film Festival is a film festival dedicated to first French-language works, which takes place every year in June at the Eden-Théâtre, the oldest cinema in the world still in operation. Organized by the association La Ciotat Berceau du Cinéma, in partnership with the City of La Ciotat and the Tourist Office, this festival celebrates the birth of cinema in the city where the Lumière brothers made their first screenings in 1895. The short and feature film competitions offer a showcase for young French-speaking directors, in a unique historical setting.
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.
Festival du Premier Film — edition 2026
The 43rd edition of the La Ciotat First Film Festival will take place from June 10 to 14, 2026, at the Eden-Théâtre, the oldest cinema in the world still in operation. Under the jury presidency of Jean-Pierre Améris, the festival presents 11 feature films and 9 short films in competition, with the directors in attendance.
43rd Edition of the First Film Festival
From June 10 to 14, 2026, the La Ciotat First Film Festival takes over the Eden-Théâtre, a venue inaugurated in 1889 and considered the birthplace of cinema, for its 43rd edition. Organized by the association La Ciotat Berceau du Cinéma, the festival honors first francophone cinematographic works with a jury of five professionals.
Jury Presidency
Following Gérard Darmon's withdrawal in May 2026, director Jean-Pierre Améris will preside over the jury of this 43rd edition.
Selection and Competition
The festival screens 11 feature films and 9 short films with the directors in attendance, over four days of screenings. 13 official sessions are planned, complemented by evening concerts in the Eden courtyard. The award for the best first feature film is the Louis Lumière d'Or.
Guest Filmmakers
Among the announced and invited directors of the festival are Laurent Herbiet, Fabrice Maruca, Frédéric Tellier, Olivier Peyon, Gabriel Le Bomin, Stéphane Demoustier, Lola Doillon, Philippe Lioret, Charlène Favier, Baya Kasmi, Cédric Jimenez and Olivier Dahan.
Programme Festival du Premier Film 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
- 17:00 — Launch Clap sur court
- 18:00 — Gabriel Baron (live, Eden courtyard)
- 19:30 — Opening session: « La poupée » (in the presence of the director)
Thursday, June 11, 2026
- 14:30 — « Flash Back »
- 17:00 — « Muganga »
- 18:30 — Maud (live, Eden courtyard)
- 20:30 — « Treizor » & « Élise sous emprise » (in the presence of the directors)
Friday, June 12, 2026
- 10:00 — « Valensole 1965 »
- 14:30 — « Allah n'est pas obligé »
- 17:00 — « Tout va bien »
- 18:30 — Michel Cerni Trio (live, Eden courtyard)
- 20:30 — « La bicyclette et le vélo » & « Sauvons les meubles »
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 10:30 — Signings
- 14:30 — « Belle enfant »
- 17:00 — Screenings (detailed program to be confirmed)
- 18:30 — Atomic Duo (live, Eden courtyard)
- 20:30 — Feature film programming in competition
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 11:00 — Clap sur court Screening
- 14:30 — « Only Shorts »
- 17:00 — Presidential session
- 19:30 — Closing session and awards ceremony (Louis Lumière d'Or)
Highlights Festival du Premier Film 2026
- 43rd edition of the oldest festival dedicated to first francophone works
- Screenings at the Eden-Théâtre, the oldest cinema in the world still in operation (1889)
- Jury presided over by director Jean-Pierre Améris
- 11 feature films and 9 short films in competition, presented by their directors
- Open-air concerts every evening in the Eden courtyard
- Louis Lumière d'Or award presented during the closing ceremony
Prices Festival du Premier Film 2026
Practical information — Festival du Premier Film
Practical Information
Access
The festival takes place at the Eden-Théâtre, 25 boulevard Georges Clemenceau, 13600 La Ciotat.
- By car: A50 motorway exit La Ciotat. Parking in the city centre.
- By train: La Ciotat SNCF station (TER from Marseille, 30 minutes).
- By bus: Cartreize bus lines and urban network.
Schedule
- Daytime and evening screenings for five days.
Prices
- Standard cinema prices for screenings
Contact
- Association La Ciotat Berceau du Cinéma
- Website: https://edencinemalaciotat.com/
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Where does it take place — Festival du Premier Film
Eden-Théâtre
25 Boulevard Georges Clemenceau, 13600 La Ciotat, 13600 La Ciotat