Rennes-le-Château International Festival of the Unusual Film

A One-of-a-Kind Film Festival

Founded in 2015 by actors Fanny Bastien and Geoffroy Thiebaut, the Rennes-le-Château International Festival of the Unusual Film was born from its creators' passion for the Haute Vallée de l'Aude and their desire to create a cinematic event dedicated to the unusual. The association Les Bâtisseurs de l'Insolite, founded on November 13, 2014, supports this ambitious project, which has established itself over a decade as a must-attend event for independent cinema in the South of France.

Rennes-le-Château: A Mystical Setting for Cinema

The choice of Rennes-le-Château as the festival's venue is no coincidence. This small hilltop village in Cathar country, world-renowned for the mystery of Abbé Saunière and its links to esotericism, offers a naturally unusual and vibrant setting. Screenings and events take place at the Domaine de l'Abbé Saunière and in partner villages of the Haute Vallée de l'Aude: Couiza, Quillan, Limoux, Montazels, and Alet-les-Bains.

Competitions, Masterclasses, and Encounters

The festival offers a rich five-day program: short film and documentary competitions, out-of-competition feature film screenings, unusual film competitions, screenplay and film music composer contests. Masterclasses, round tables, conferences, and workshops allow festival-goers to meet film professionals and deepen their knowledge of the 7th art. Each edition is presided over by a cinema personality.

Commitment to Youth and the Region

Awarded the Festival Jeunesse label, the Festival of the Unusual Film places great importance on transmission and media education. Special screenings are organized for young audiences, with free admission for those under 18. The festival also contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of the Haute Vallée de l'Aude, attracting directors, actors, and cinephiles from around the world to this preserved rural area each year.