From May 16 to 23, the Visions Sociales festival offers committed cinema in Mandelieu-La-Napoule, free and open to all, on the sidelines of Cannes.
While the world of cinema will have its eyes fixed on the Croisette, the Visions Sociales festival will hold its 24th edition from May 16 to 23, 2026 at the Château des Mineurs in Mandelieu-La-Napoule. Organized by the Social Energy Activities (CCAS) since its creation in 2002, this event asserts itself as a unique alternative to the Cannes Film Festival, by defending independent, social cinema accessible to as many people as possible. Far from the glitter, Visions Sociales aims to be a space for reflection and dialogue, where culture is a lever of emancipation to question the major changes of our time.
A cinema in touch with contemporary changes
The festival’s editorial line focuses on French and international works that explore current social realities. The 2026 program will address themes as varied as transformations in the world of work, struggles for equality and rights, individual trajectories in the face of social constraints, or even tensions geopolitics and environmental challenges In synergy with the Cannes ecosystem, the festival will also host previews from prestigious parallel selections such as ACID, the Filmmakers’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week. start of a debate, systematically extended by a meeting with the film teams to explore the subjects in more depth and encourage exchanges with the public.
Culture as a lever for emancipation and access
At the heart of the identity of Visions Sociales lies its principle of accessibility. The screenings are completely free and open to all, without the need for accreditation, subject to availability. This approach is primarily aimed at the beneficiaries of the Social Activities of energy, but also to schools, associations and film buffs in the region. This diversity of audiences is fundamental to creating a space for the circulation of ideas. Visions Sociales makes it possible to offer direct access to works and to create spaces for exchange with the public. It is a concrete way of bringing to life a culture that is open, accessible and in touch with contemporary realities » underlines Valérie Grenier, member of the Cultural Action commission of the CCAS and spokesperson for the festival. This policy is part of the historic mission of the Social Energy Activities which, since 1946, have considered culture as an essential common good.
Committed sponsorship: Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti
The 2026 edition will be placed under the gaze of filmmakers Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti. The duo, who have worked together for more than twenty years, are recognized for cinema that crosses borders and cultures, with particular attention paid to social contexts, identities and languages. Their filmography, including *Noor* (2012), *Sibel* (2018) and more recently *Confidente* (2025), presented at the Berlinale, testifies to a constant commitment to giving voice to human journeys often absent from dominant representations. Their presence as godmother and godfather resonates perfectly with the DNA of the festival.
Photography to prolong the look
In addition to its film program, the festival will host an exhibition by photographer Fatma Hassona. His documentary work focuses on individuals and their daily lives in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza. By capturing fragments of life, gestures and faces, it highlights human survival and resilience in the heart of violence. This exhibition offers another form of narration of reality, creating a powerful dialogue between the still image and the moving image and broadening the field of reflection on contemporary issues.
The full program will be revealed soon. All the information can be found on the organizer’s official website: https://www.ccas.fr.
