Nantes Spanish Film Festival

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.