Festival International du Film Politique

An engaged and civic-minded film festival

Created in 2018 by the Association Regard Caméra, in co-production with the City of Carcassonne, the Festival International du Film Politique (FIFP), also called Festival CitéCiné, has established itself as a must-attend event for engaged cinema in France. Every January, for five days, the festival offers a rigorous selection of films that question and challenge citizens on the major issues of our time: political regimes, human rights, environmental issues, social questions, armed conflicts, and security.

A demanding international selection

For each edition, over 225 films are viewed by the selection committee, including 180 feature films. The final selection includes approximately 44 works from nearly 28 different countries, with a majority in preview. The festival embraces all cinematic genres: comedy, drama, documentary, science fiction, political thriller, as long as the film questions the political issues of our societies. Among the guests of honor, the festival has hosted leading filmmakers such as Costa-Gavras, who presented his film *Le Dernier Souffle* in preview during the 7th edition in 2025.

Iconic screening venues

The festival's screenings and highlights take place in several cultural and heritage sites in Carcassonne: the Cinéma Le Colisée, the city's historic cinema; the Dôme Convention Centre, a modern space in the heart of the Bastide; the Odeum; and the Cité Médiévale for certain special screenings. This dispersion of venues helps to bring cinema to life throughout the city and create a festival atmosphere in the streets of Carcassonne in the middle of winter.

Youth at the heart of the festival

The FIFP places great importance on media literacy and transmission. Since its creation, nearly 12,000 young people have participated in school screenings organized as part of the festival. A Young Jury, composed of 14 middle school students, is sponsored each year by a personality from the world of cinema — in 2025, actress Suzanne Jouannet was the godmother of the Young Jury. This educational program allows young people to develop their critical eye on cinema and societal issues.