Mamers en Mars

Mamers en Mars: thirty-five years of cinematic passion

Since its creation in 1990, the Mamers en Mars festival has been patiently weaving its web in the heart of the Sarthe bocage. What was initially just a modest cinephile gathering has become over the decades the main film event in Sarthe and one of the most important in the Pays de la Loire region, attracting nearly 4,000 spectators per edition.

A festival dedicated to European cinema

Mamers en Mars stands out for its programming entirely dedicated to European cinema. Each year, for three days, the festival competes with a selection of seven to eight feature films and ten short films, all new and from across Europe. Screenings outside the competition, previews, and school screenings complete a rich and demanding program.

Discoveries and encounters

The strength of Mamers en Mars lies in its ability to discover emerging talents in European cinema, often before their international recognition. Directors are present to accompany their films and interact with the audience, creating an atmosphere of closeness and conviviality that is the charm of the festival. A jury of seven professionals and a high school jury award the competition prizes.

Mamers, land of cinema

The town of Mamers, a sub-prefecture of Sarthe with 6,000 inhabitants nestled at the borders of Maine and Perche, has made cinema a component of its identity. The Espace Saugonna, the town's performance and cinema hall, hosts the festival screenings in optimal technical conditions. The association Artémis, organizer of the festival, carries this cultural project with remarkable energy and commitment, despite a context of decreasing regional subsidies which highlights the fragility of cultural events in rural areas.

The "Women Behind the Camera" section

The festival pays special attention to the place of women in European cinema with its "Women Behind the Camera" section, which highlights the work of talented female directors and contributes to the visibility of female creators in the film landscape.