Nantes Spanish Film Festival
The Spanish cinema event in France
About FCEN
Created in 1990 by researchers from the University of Nantes, the Nantes Spanish Film Festival (FCEN) has become, over thirty-five editions, the unmissable event for Spanish cinema in France. Born from the conviction that beyond entertainment, cinema is a valuable tool for understanding Spanish history and society, the festival presents each March a program of nearly 70 films — fiction, documentaries, features and shorts, heritage films, and films for young audiences — largely unseen in France, screened in their original version with subtitles. Five official competitions (Fiction, Documentary, First Film, Short Film, and School) structure the selection, awarded by six prizes given by professional juries and the public. Each edition, the festival hosts around forty guests — directors, actors, producers — and offers over 200 screenings, Q&As, masterclasses, exhibitions, and thematic events. Awarded in 2007 by the Spanish Film Academy for its work in audience development and promotion of Spanish cinema in France, the FCEN has attracted over 260,000 spectators since its creation and hosted nearly 60,000 middle and high school students.
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The Nantes Spanish Film Festival: A Showcase for Spanish Cinema in France
Since 1990, the Nantes Spanish Film Festival has held a unique place in the French film landscape. Founded on the initiative of researchers in contemporary Spanish history and civilization from the University of Nantes, it was born from the conviction that cinema, beyond its artistic and entertainment value, is a formidable tool for understanding Spanish history and society. The first two editions were dedicated to thematic overviews: "Spanish Cinema of the 80s," then "Spanish Cinema, Between Tradition and Modernity."
A Rich and Demanding Program
The program quickly expanded over the editions, growing from 7 films in 1990 to 13 in the second year, then 40 in 2005 for the fifteenth anniversary, and around 70 films per edition since 2019. Each year, the festival presents a selection largely unseen in France, mixing fiction, documentaries, features and shorts, heritage films, and films for young audiences, all screened in original version with subtitles.
Five official competitions structure the selection: Fiction, Documentary, First Film, Short Film, and School. Six awards are given by professional juries and the public, making the FCEN a true springboard for Spanish and Hispanic filmmakers in France.
Q&As, Masterclasses, and Events
Beyond screenings, the festival offers a rich program of Q&As with filmmakers, masterclasses at the Théâtre Graslin, exhibitions at the Espace Cosmopolis, and thematic events that enrich the dialogue between cinema and other artistic disciplines. Each edition hosts around forty guests — directors, actors, producers — from Spain and Latin America.
The Short Film Night, an emblematic event of the festival, highlights the creativity of the Spanish short film format. Thematic series regularly explore the intersections between cinema and literature, cinema and music, or cinema and history.
A Commitment to Film Education
The FCEN is distinguished by its strong commitment to film education. Since its creation, nearly 60,000 middle and high school students have participated in the festival's school screenings, benefiting from tailored sessions and Q&As with filmmakers. This cultural outreach work with young audiences was recognized in 2007 with the Spanish Film Academy Award for audience development and promotion of Spanish cinema in France.
A Festival Rooted in Nantes
Each year, the festival takes place in three emblematic venues in Nantes: the Cinéma Katorza, the main screening venue in the heart of the city; the Théâtre Graslin, the setting for opening and closing nights and masterclasses; and the Espace Cosmopolis, a space for Q&As, exhibitions, and complementary screenings. Decentralized screenings are also organized in partner cinemas in Loire-Atlantique and Pays de la Loire.
FCEN — edition 2026
The 35th edition of the Nantes Spanish Film Festival will take place from March 21 to 29, 2026. For this anniversary, the festival will host director Rodrigo Sorogoyen as guest of honor, who will offer a masterclass at the Théâtre Graslin. On the program: 70 films, including 21 in competition, two thematic cycles — 'Literary Narratives, Cinematic Narratives' and '1936-2026: Plural and Contemporary Perspectives on the Spanish Civil War' — as well as the return of the Short Film Night.
35th Edition — Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Guest of Honor
The Nantes Spanish Film Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary from March 21 to 29, 2026. For this festive edition, the festival welcomes director Rodrigo Sorogoyen as guest of honor, author of 'Stockholm' (2013), 'May God Save Us' (2016), 'The Realm' (2018), 'Mother' (2019), and 'The Beasts' (2022). Sorogoyen, returning to the festival for the third time, will offer a masterclass at the Théâtre Graslin.
70 Films on the Program
The program includes 70 films, largely new in France, with 21 films in competition spread across the five official sections. Over 200 screenings in original version with subtitles are planned at Cinéma Katorza, Théâtre Graslin, and Espace Cosmopolis.
Two Major Thematic Cycles
Two major thematic cycles run through the 2026 program:
- 'Literary Narratives, Cinematic Narratives': a dialogue between films and books, exploring adaptations and cross-influences between Spanish literature and cinema
- '1936-2026: Plural and Contemporary Perspectives on the Spanish Civil War': a cross-section of films and photography, marking the 90th anniversary of the start of the Civil War
Return of the Short Film Night
The Short Film Night, an emblematic event of the festival, returns on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, after a break during the previous edition.
Programme FCEN 2026
Official Competitions
Five competitions with 21 films in contention: Fiction, Documentary, First Film, Short Film, and School. Six awards will be presented by professional juries and the public.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen Masterclass
The guest of honor director will offer a masterclass at the Théâtre Graslin, discussing his career and work.
'Literary Narratives, Cinematic Narratives' Cycle
A dialogue between films and books, exploring the bridges between Spanish literature and cinema.
'1936-2026: Plural and Contemporary Perspectives on the Spanish Civil War' Cycle
A cross-section of films and photography for the 90th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.
Short Film Night
Return of the festival's emblematic event, Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Highlights FCEN 2026
To Remember for 2026
- 35th Anniversary of the Nantes Spanish Film Festival
- Rodrigo Sorogoyen as guest of honor, with a masterclass at the Théâtre Graslin
- 70 films on the program, including 21 in competition across 5 official sections
- 'Literary Narratives, Cinematic Narratives' Cycle between films and books
- '1936-2026' Cycle on the Spanish Civil War, featuring films and photography
- Return of the Short Film Night on Tuesday, March 24
- Over 200 screenings in original version with subtitles
Prices FCEN 2026
Practical information — FCEN
Practical Information
Festival Venues
The festival's screenings and events take place in three main venues in Nantes:
- Cinéma Katorza — 3 rue Corneille, 44000 Nantes (main screening venue)
- Théâtre Graslin — Place Graslin, 44000 Nantes (opening, closing nights, and masterclasses)
- Espace Cosmopolis — 18 rue Scribe, 44000 Nantes (Q&As, exhibitions, screenings)
Additional screenings are organized in partner cinemas in Loire-Atlantique and Pays de la Loire.
Ticketing and Prices
Screenings at Cinéma Katorza: regular cinema ticket price (around €7 to €9)
Reduced price: €6 (students, under 26s, unemployed, members of the Centre Culturel Franco-Espagnol, CinéLiberté card, Carte Blanche, CartS)
School price: €4 (free for accompanying adults)
Special events at Théâtre Graslin: €5 to €12
Ticketing generally opens in early March on the festival's official website and at Cinéma Katorza.
Access
By train: Nantes Station (TGV from Paris in 2h15). Cinéma Katorza, Théâtre Graslin, and Espace Cosmopolis are all within a 10-minute walk from the city center.
By tram: Lines 1, 2, and 3. Stops Commerce or Médiathèque for Katorza and Théâtre Graslin.
By car: Nantes is accessible via the A11 (from Paris), A83 (from Niort/Bordeaux), and N137 (from Rennes). Paid parking available in the city center (Graslin, Commerce, Decré).
Contact
Address: 17 rue Paul Bellamy, 44000 Nantes
Phone: 02 40 20 55 84
Email: [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach FCEN at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — FCEN
Cinéma Katorza, Théâtre Graslin et Espace Cosmopolis
17 rue Paul Bellamy, 44000 Nantes