Les Rencontres des Cinémas d'Europe

A panorama of European cinema in Ardèche since 1999

Created in 1999, the Rencontres des Cinémas d'Europe has become a must-attend event for film lovers in the south of France. Organized by La Maison de l'Image in Aubenas, the festival offers an exceptional panorama of European film production for nine days in November, with more than 80 films from 20 countries. The screenings are accompanied by the presence of numerous invited directors, actors, and producers, including many filmmakers who have won awards at major international festivals.

Screenings in 11 locations across the region

The Rencontres deploy their program across 11 screening venues spread throughout the Ardèche region: the cinema Le Navire in Aubenas, the cultural center Le Bournot, and cinemas in Thueyts, Lussas, and Vals-les-Bains. This territorial dimension allows the festival to reach a wide audience and bring European cinema to life beyond Aubenas, in rural communities where film offerings are usually limited.

A rich and diverse program

The program is organized around several sections: the Panorama presenting the best European films of the year, preview screenings accompanied by their directors, the retrospective dedicated to a national cinema or an author, the Young Audience program for children, and the 15-25 year olds section for teenagers and young adults. Cinema lessons, masterclasses on film professions (music, screenwriting, set design, animation), film concerts, virtual reality experiences, and exhibitions enrich the event.

An annual focus on a European cinematography

Each edition highlights a European national cinematography through a selection of films, meetings with filmmakers, and retrospectives. The 2025 edition featured a focus on Polish cinema with Joanna Lapinska, artistic director of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. This cross-perspective on European cinemas contributes to the discovery of different cultures and viewpoints, in line with the festival's mission.