Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinemas

FICA: Thirty Years of Passion for Asian Cinemas

The adventure began in 1994 when Martine and Jean-Marc Thérouanne, passionate cinephiles and founders of the Vesoul cinephile association, envisioned a festival entirely dedicated to Asian cinema. To celebrate the year following the centenary of the invention of cinema by the Lumière brothers, natives of Franche-Comté, the first edition was held in April 1995: twelve films were presented to 1,500 spectators. The event has not stopped growing.

An Exceptionally Rich Program

Each edition of FICA offers an unparalleled panorama of cinemas from the Asian continent. The official selection includes fiction and documentary films in international competition, exclusive previews, retrospectives dedicated to great filmmakers, and thematic sections exploring Asian cultures and societies. In 2026, the 32nd edition presented 87 films, including 40 premieres, representing 24 countries, under the presidency of Chinese documentarian Wang Bing.

The Golden Cyclo and Awards

The festival's supreme award is the Golden Cyclo, presented by an international jury of film professionals. Since 2004, the awards have been enriched by the Grand Jury Prize and the Golden Cyclo of Honor, an award given to filmmakers who have marked the history of Asian cinema. In 2025, the Golden Cyclo was awarded to Korea's Park Ri-woong for The Land of Morning Calm, while the Golden Cyclo of Honor recognized Chinese director Jia Zhang-ke and actress Zhao Tao.

The Majestic Espace des Lumières: A Modern Venue

While the first editions were held in the modest Ciné-Club de Vesoul, the festival took a decisive step in 2006 with the inauguration of the Majestic Espace des Lumières, a modern multiplex cinema located in the city center. This venue now hosts most of the screenings, supplemented by the Théâtre Edwige Feuillère for the opening and closing ceremonies. The FICA House, at 19 rue de l'Aigle Noir, serves as the festival's headquarters.

Vesoul, European Capital of Asian Cinema

Recognized by the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asia-Pacific Cinema) network, FICA has become the premier event for auteur Asian cinema in Europe. It attracts filmmakers, producers, distributors, and journalists from around the world each year, while remaining deeply rooted in its Haut-Saône region. With over 600,000 cumulative spectators in thirty editions, the festival has transformed this Franche-Comté town into a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia.