After a rather satisfactory initial assessment at its third edition, the festival “Épinal fait son cinéma” organized by the Image’Est association, a key player in the image sector in the Grand Est region, is enjoying great success.
This year’s event, held from March 17th to 22nd, despite being in the midst of municipal elections, saw a total of 2,150 entries, totaling 3,300 entries, with around thirteen films premiered, including 36 feature films, 64 public screenings, and two cinema-concerts led by 40 film professionals. Additionally, there were 670 participants in various activities, along with 420 students taking part in artistic workshops.
Building on this success deeply rooted in the region, the festival is already planning its next edition, the fourth one, scheduled for March 16th to 21st, 2027. This significant event is expanding its horizons, encouraging attendees to step out of their comfort zones and explore films beyond the mainstream blockbusters.
The festival’s bold selection this year confirms its progress and the strong interest it sparks among the public with its culturally rich and daring lineup. Noteworthy guest appearances included Nathan Ambrosioni, along with various film teams presenting their work, such as Arthur Dupont and Jean-Luc Gaget, Marie Rémond, Laurent Slama, Zaven Najjar, and Namir Abdel-Messeeh.
Moreover, a tribute to filmmaker Frederick Wiseman was paid before the screening of three films and a cinema-concert featuring Buster Keaton’s short films interpreted live by the La Belle Image orchestra under the direction of Pieter-Jelle de Boer. This recognition comes at a time when traditional cinema faces stiff competition from online platforms.
