Printemps Documentaire

Printemps Documentaire: Real Cinema at the Heart of the Territories

Since 2002, the Printemps Documentaire has been an annual event celebrating documentary cinema in the independent cinemas of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Organized by the networks Les Écrans and Plein Champ, this travelling festival presents an ambitious selection of eight feature-length documentaries each March in about twenty partner cinemas across the region.

A Rigorous Selection of Documentaries

The strength of Printemps Documentaire lies in the quality of its annual selection. Eight documentary films are chosen for their unique perspective on the world, their cinematic quality, and their ability to foster debate. The themes are varied—society, politics, environment, arts, history—and the represented cinematographies cover a wide geographical spectrum, from French documentaries to international productions.

Screenings with Special Guests

Each screening offers an opportunity for a meeting with the director or a specialized speaker, followed by a discussion with the audience. These moments of dialogue are at the core of the festival's philosophy, which views documentary cinema as an art of encounter and questioning.

A Network of Committed Independent Cinemas

Printemps Documentaire relies on the network of independent cinemas in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, grouped within the associations Les Écrans (Rhône-Alpes) and Plein Champ (Auvergne). These twenty-five venues, spread from Valence to Montluçon, and from Lyon to Aubenas, share a common commitment to distributing quality cinema in rural and peri-urban areas.

Strong Territorial Roots

By bringing documentaries to local cinemas, Printemps Documentaire plays a vital role in access to film culture throughout the regional territory. The festival benefits from the support of the DRAC, the CNC, the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the AFCAE, the GNCR, and the ADRC, demonstrating institutional recognition of this local cultural initiative.

Twenty-four Editions of Documentary Commitment

Over twenty-four editions, Printemps Documentaire has enabled the screening of hundreds of documentaries in cinemas that might not have been able to program them alone. The festival has helped to build a loyal audience for real cinema and to strengthen the bond between filmmakers and viewers in a spirit of sharing and discovery.