Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud
Film festival with sneak previews in Grand Avignon
About Rencontres Cinématographiques
Les Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud is a film festival held annually in March in Grand Avignon (Avignon, Le Pontet, Carpentras, and historically Villeneuve-lès-Avignon). Created in 2011, the event celebrates the 7th art with sneak previews, meetings with film crews, and exchanges between cinema professionals (operators, distributors, producers, programmers).
Les Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud, a 7th art event in the South
Les Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud is a film festival created in 2011 at the initiative of industry professionals wishing to establish an event in the South of France dedicated to meetings and exchanges between the various players in film exhibition. Organized by the association Le Bureau des Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud, the event takes place over ten days in March, in several venues in Grand Avignon.
A festival at the heart of Grand Avignon
Projections and meetings take place in four partner venues in the region: Le Vox (place de l'Horloge, Avignon), L'Utopia (rue des Escaliers Sainte-Anne, Avignon), Le Capitole myCinewest (Le Pontet) and Le Rivoli (Carpentras). Historically, the festival has also invested Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, notably during a memorable drive-in edition at the Boulodrome car park.
Sneak previews, meetings and competition
Each edition offers around twenty films in sneak preview, some of which are in official competition judged by a professional jury and a youth jury. The program is enriched with masterclasses, meetings with directors and actors who come to present their works, and concludes with the Victoires du Cinéma ceremony. The professional section, open to exhibitors, distributors and producers, welcomes over 300 industry professionals each year.
An event for all audiences
Beyond the sessions reserved for professionals, a large part of the program is open to the general public — residents of Grand Avignon, students, schoolchildren — who can discover the eagerly awaited films of the upcoming season and interact directly with the film crews. It has become an unmissable event in the cinema calendar at the beginning of the year.
Rencontres Cinématographiques — edition 2026
14th edition of the Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud, from March 10 to 20, 2026 in Grand Avignon. Ten days of previews, meetings with film crews and 100% cinema programming.
14th edition — March 10 to 20, 2026
The 14th edition of the Rencontres Cinématographiques du Sud took place from March 10 to 20, 2026 in Grand Avignon. The festival invested four partner venues: Le Vox and L'Utopia in Avignon, Le Capitole myCinewest in Le Pontet, and Le Rivoli in Carpentras.
A rich program of previews
The 2026 edition offered about twenty films in preview, including nine in official competition. Eleven meetings with directors and actors accompanied the screenings. Among the guests present: Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano for Juste une illusion, Reem Kherici for Pour le plaisir, and Jérémie Renier for his first feature film as a director, D'un monde à l'autre. The international selection notably featured Maspalomas by Aitor Arregi as well as works by Naomi Kawase and Gus Van Sant.
The professional section
From March 16 to 20, the professional part of the festival welcomed more than 300 cinema professionals — exhibitors, distributors, producers, programmers — for days of exchanges and presentations. The Victoires du Cinéma ceremony closed the event.
Programme Rencontres Cinématographiques 2026
Films presented in preview
- Juste une illusion — Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano (presented by the directors)
- Pour le plaisir — Reem Kherici (presented by the director)
- D'un monde à l'autre — Jérémie Renier (first film as a director)
- Maspalomas — Aitor Arregi
- International selection including works by Naomi Kawase and Gus Van Sant
Format
- About twenty films in preview
- 9 films in official competition (professional jury and youth jury)
- 11 meetings with directors and actors
- Masterclasses
- Victoires du Cinéma ceremony at closing
Professional section (March 16-20)
Days dedicated to exhibitors, distributors, producers, and programmers — over 300 professionals welcomed.
Highlights Rencontres Cinématographiques 2026
- 14th edition of the festival, from March 10 to 20, 2026
- 20 films in preview, including 9 in competition
- 11 meetings with directors and actors
- Presence of Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano, Reem Kherici, Jérémie Renier
- 4 partner venues in Grand Avignon (Le Vox, L'Utopia, Le Capitole, Le Rivoli)
- Over 300 cinema professionals welcomed
Prices Rencontres Cinématographiques 2026
Practical information — Rencontres Cinématographiques
Practical Information
Projection Venues
- Le Vox — 22 place de l'Horloge, 84000 Avignon
- L'Utopia — 4 rue des Escaliers Sainte-Anne, 84000 Avignon
- Le Capitole myCinewest — 161 avenue de Saint-Tronquet, 84130 Le Pontet
- Le Rivoli — 56 avenue Victor Hugo, 84200 Carpentras
Access
The venues are accessible by public transport from Avignon (TGV station and city centre station), by car (A7 exits) and on foot in Avignon city centre. Parking available near each venue.
Prices and Ticketing
Prices for sneak preview screenings range from 5 to 10 € depending on the partner venues. Passes and professional accreditations are available on the official website. See each cinema's ticketing for general public screenings.
Contact
Official website: lesrencontresdusud.fr
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @RencontreduSudCinema
Instagram: @rencontresdusud
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community