In Mandelieu-La-Napoule, near Cannes, the Visions Sociales festival offers from May 16 to 23 committed cinema accessible to all.
On the sidelines of the excitement of the Cannes Festival, the Château des Mineurs in Mandelieu-La-Napoule will host, from May 16 to 23, 2026, the 24th edition of Visions Sociales. Organized by the Social Energy Activities (CCAS), this cinema event is distinguished by a unique proposition: an auteur cinema, independent and deeply anchored in the questions of our time, all offered free of charge to the public.
A cinema in touch with contemporary realities
The festival’s programming aims to reflect the major current changes. Through a selection of French and international films, Visions Sociales explores transformations in the world of work, issues of equality and rights, geopolitical tensions and even environmental challenges. The festival is also anchored in the Cannes ecosystem by presenting previews from prestigious parallel selections such as ACID, the Filmmakers’ Fortnight and the Critics’ Week. Each screening is followed by a meeting with the film teams, establishing a direct and enriching dialogue with the spectators.
A free festival open to all
Accessibility is at the heart of Visions Sociales’ identity. The screenings are completely free and open to all, without the need for accreditation and subject to availability. This approach is part of the CCAS’s mission to promote culture as a common good essential to individual and collective emancipation. The festival thus becomes a crossroads where beneficiaries of Social Energy Activities, school groups, associations and film buffs meet, creating a unique space for the circulation of works and ideas.
Committed sponsorship
The 2026 edition is placed under the gaze of filmmakers Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti. The duo, known for their work that crosses cultural and social boundaries, pays particular attention to multiple contexts, languages and identities. Their filmography, which includes notable works such as *Noor* (2012), *Sibel* (2018) or the recent *Confidente* (2025) presented at the Berlinale, resonates perfectly with the editorial line of the festival, which seeks to highlight stories and trajectories often absent from mainstream screens.
A photographic exhibition to extend the gaze
In addition to the film program, the festival is hosting an exhibition by photographer Fatma Hassona. His documentary work focuses on individuals and their daily lives in conflict zones, with a particular focus on Gaza. His images capture fragments of humanity, resilience and survival, paying sensitive attention to the gestures, faces and connections that persist despite violence. This exhibition offers another form of narration of reality, creating a bridge between the still image and the moving image.
Culture as a lever for emancipation
Since its creation in 1946, the Central Fund for Social Activities for personnel in the electrical and gas industries (CCAS) has led an ambitious cultural policy, based on access to works for the greatest number of people. Visions Sociales is one of the incarnations of this commitment. ” 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, spokesperson for the festival and member of the CCAS Cultural Action commission.
The information and the complete program will soon be available on the organizer’s website (www.ccas.fr).
