Festival Polar de Cognac

Crime fiction in all its forms since 1996

Founded in 1996 by Bernard Bec, the Festival Polar de Cognac has become, over its editions, one of the most important festivals dedicated to crime fiction in France. Its uniqueness lies in its multidisciplinary approach: crime fiction is celebrated in five forms — literature, comic strips, cinema, television, and theatre.

Three days of meetings and discoveries

Every year in October, the festival takes over the Centre des Congrès La Salamandre and several venues in Cognac to offer a packed program: readings, debates, exhibitions, screenings in competition and preview, meet-and-greets, theatrical performances, book signings, and autographs. Admission is free for all events, making the festival accessible to the widest audience.

Prestigious literary and film awards

Each year, the festival awards several coveted prizes: the Grand Prix Cognac, the Prix Cognac, the Prix Polar, the Prix du Roman Noir des Bibliothèques et Médiathèques de Grand Cognac, as well as awards for the best comic strip. In 2024 (29th edition), Angélina Delacroix received the award for Best French-language novel for “Mémoires d'un expert psychiatre”, Vish Dhamija the award for Best International Novel for “Le Magnat”, and Sébastien Corbet the award for Best One-Shot Comic Album for “Au nom du fils”.

A free and popular event

Supported by the association Événements locaux et animation, the Festival Polar de Cognac brings together dozens of authors, novelists, comic strip artists, directors, and actors every year. Crime fiction enthusiasts find a privileged meeting place with their favorite authors, in a warm and friendly atmosphere typical of the cognac region.