Social Film Festival - La 25e Image

The Social Film Festival: making the invisible visible

The Social Film Festival, run by the association La 25e Image, is a national film event held each October in over 40 cities and 60 screening venues across France. Its name is a powerful metaphor: at the cinema, 24 frames pass each second to create the illusion of movement. The 25th frame is the one you don't see — representing people made invisible by society. The festival's mission is to make them visible.

Committed and demanding programming

Each edition presents a rigorous selection of around twenty films — documentaries, fiction, short and feature films, animated films — exploring contemporary social issues:

• The journeys of people experiencing poverty, disability or exclusion
• The daily reality of social work and social intervention
• Issues of solidarity, inclusion and social cohesion
• Life stories and human-centered professions

Films are selected for artistic quality and their ability to spark dialogue. The festival shows French and international works, subtitled in French.

The festival in Bourg-en-Bresse

In Bourg-en-Bresse, the festival is hosted at ENSEIS (National School of Solidarity, Management and Social Intervention), in its amphitheater at 48 rue du Peloux. Screenings are open to all: students, social sector professionals and the general public.

A tool for awareness and debate

Beyond screenings, the festival serves as a tool for awareness, reflection and debate. Each session sparks exchanges between viewers, filmmakers and social sector professionals.

A prestigious jury and prizes

A jury of cinema and social sector figures awards several prizes. In 2025, producer Alexandre Hallier presided, alongside actress-director Mariame N'Diaye, filmmaker Karine Dusfour and social sector professionals. The Grand Prize 2025 went to Les Oubliés de la Belle Étoile by Clémence Davigo. Ten partner juries also award prizes in participating cities.

Partnership with Mental Health Information Weeks

In 2025, the festival partnered with the 36th Mental Health Information Weeks (SISM), reinforcing its focus on mental health awareness in the social sector.