La Baule Festival of Film Music
Film and film music celebrated on the Atlantic coast
About La Baule Festival
Created in 2014 by producer Sam Bobino and director Christophe Barratier (Les Choristes), the La Baule Festival of Film Music is the only French festival entirely dedicated to the link between cinema and film music. Every year in June, for five days, La Baule-Escoublac hosts a selection of feature films and short films in preview, original concerts honoring film music composers, master classes, meet-and-greets with artists, and musical documentaries. The festival awards the Grand Prix for Best Film, the Award for Best Film Score, the Award for Best Film Score of the Year, the Groupe Barrière Audience Award, and the Award for Best Short Film. Initially organized in November, the festival moved to the summer period to take advantage of the exceptional setting of the seaside resort. Since its first edition, which honored Claude Lelouch and Francis Lai as guests of honor, the festival has welcomed prestigious composers, directors, and actors, establishing itself as a must-attend event for film and film music enthusiasts.
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The La Baule Festival of Film Music: Where Cinema Meets Music
Since 2014, the La Baule Festival of Film Music has held a unique place in the French festival landscape. Founded by Sam Bobino, an event producer, and Christophe Barratier, director of Les Choristes, it is the only French festival entirely dedicated to the relationship between the seventh art and original film music. Initially scheduled for November, the festival has moved to June to offer the public a unique seaside experience.
A Program at the Crossroads of Cinema and Music
The heart of the festival is its official selection, composed of preview feature films presented in the presence of their filmmaking teams. A professional jury—chaired over the years by personalities such as Zabou Breitman (2025), Franck Dubosc (2024), and Radu Mihaileanu (2023)—awards the Grand Prix for Best Film, the Award for Best Film Score, the Award for Best Performance, and the Award for Best Short Film.
The Groupe Barrière Audience Award is given by spectators, while the Award for Best Film Score of the Year honors a composer for their overall work on a film released that year. The festival also presents a Lifetime Achievement Award to a major figure in cinema or film music.
Exceptional Concerts and Encounters
Beyond screenings, the festival offers original concerts celebrating the great film scores. In 2025, Lambert Wilson gave a tribute concert to Yves Montand. In 2024, a concert was dedicated to the music from Claude Lelouch's films. These musical evenings, held in the auditorium of the Palais des Congrès Atlantia, are among the festival's highlights.
Master classes allow the public to interact with composers, directors, and actors. The festival also screens musical documentaries exploring the world of musical creation for cinema, and an exhibition related to the edition's theme.
La Factory: Discovering Young Talents
The festival includes La Factory, a program dedicated to young film music composers. Organized in partnership with the Conservatoire Paul Dukas in Paris, this initiative allows young talents to present their creations to an audience of professionals and cinephiles. The Young Composer Revelation Award is presented within this framework.
A Festival Rooted on the Atlantic Coast
Based in La Baule-Escoublac, the festival utilizes several emblematic venues in the seaside resort: the Palais des Congrès et des Festivals Jacques Chirac — Atlantia for ceremonies, concerts, and main screenings, the Gulf Stream cinema for additional screenings, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne for exhibitions, and the La Baule market for town events. This network of venues makes the festival a unifying event for the entire seaside town.
La Baule Festival — edition 2026
The 12th edition of the La Baule Festival of Film Music will be held in June 2026 at the Palais des Congrès Atlantia. The festival will continue its celebration of the link between cinema and film music with an official selection of feature and short films, concerts, master classes, and meet-and-greets with artists.
12th Edition — See You in June 2026
The La Baule Festival of Film Music returns for its 12th edition in June 2026. For five days, the Palais des Congrès et des Festivals Jacques Chirac — Atlantia and partner venues in La Baule-Escoublac will host a new selection of preview films, a special concert, musical documentaries, master classes, and meetings with film crews.
A professional jury will award the Grand Prix for Best Film, the Award for Best Film Score, the Award for Best Performance, and the Award for Best Short Film. The Groupe Barrière Audience Award and the Award for Best Film Score of the Year will complete the list of accolades. The La Factory program will honor a young film music composer.
The full program will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the festival's official website.
Programme La Baule Festival 2026
2026 Program
The full program for the 12th edition will be announced in the spring of 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Official Selection: Preview feature films in competition
- Short Films: Selection in competition
- Musical Documentaries: Dedicated program
- Special Concert: A musical evening celebrating the great scores of cinema
- La Factory: Young Composer Revelation Award
- Master Classes: Meetings and discussions with artists
- Exhibition: at the Chapelle Sainte-Anne
- Town Events
Highlights La Baule Festival 2026
To Look Forward to in 2026
- 12th Edition of the festival dedicated to cinema and film music
- Dates: June 2026 in La Baule-Escoublac
- Venues: Palais des Congrès Atlantia, Gulf Stream cinema, Chapelle Sainte-Anne
- Ticketing: Opening expected in June 2026 on the official website and Billetweb
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
Prices La Baule Festival 2026
Practical information — La Baule Festival
Practical Information
Festival Venues
- Palais des Congrès et des Festivals Jacques Chirac — Atlantia — 119 avenue du Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac (ceremonies, concerts, main screenings)
- Gulf Stream Cinema — 2 avenue du Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac (screenings)
- Chapelle Sainte-Anne — La Baule-Escoublac (exhibition)
- La Baule Market — La Baule-Escoublac (town events)
Ticketing and Prices
Festival Pass: €50 (single price, in support of the festival association) — access to all screenings and events for the entire duration of the festival.
Single Ticket: €8 (full price) / €5 (reduced price: under 18s, students up to 25, people with disabilities).
Opening Ceremony and Screening: €10.
Closing Concert: €59 to €64 depending on category.
Passes can be collected at the Palais des Congrès Atlantia. Cinema tickets are available online on the official website and Billetweb, or on-site during the festival.
Access
By Train: La Baule-Escoublac station (TER from Nantes in 1h10, TGV connection at Saint-Nazaire or Nantes). The Palais des Congrès Atlantia is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
By Car: La Baule-Escoublac is accessible via the N171 from Nantes (approx. 1h15) and the D213 from Saint-Nazaire. Free parking is available near the Palais des Congrès.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Official Website: www.festival-labaule.com
The festival does not handle requests by phone.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — La Baule Festival
Palais des Congrès et des Festivals Jacques Chirac — Atlantia
119 avenue du Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac