From May 16 to 23, the Visions Sociales festival offers in Mandelieu-La-Napoule an engaging, free cinema open to all, alongside Cannes.
While the film world will have its eyes 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 Activities of Energy (CCAS) since its creation in 2002, this event asserts itself as a unique alternative to the Cannes Film Festival, defending an independent, social cinema accessible to all. Far from the glitz, Visions Sociales aims to be a space for reflection and dialogue, where culture is a lever for emancipation to question the major changes of our time.
A cinema in tune 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 diverse as changes in the world of work, struggles for equality and rights, individual trajectories facing social constraints, as well as geopolitical tensions and environmental challenges. In synergy with the Cannes ecosystem, the festival will also host premieres from prestigious parallel selections such as ACID, the Directors’ Fortnight, and the Critics’ Week. Each screening is designed as the starting point for a debate, systematically followed by a meeting with the film teams to deepen the subjects and promote exchanges with the audience.
Culture as a lever for emancipation and access
At the heart of Visions Sociales’ identity lies its principle of accessibility. The screenings are entirely free and open to all, without the need for accreditation, subject to availability. This approach is aimed primarily at beneficiaries of Social Activities of Energy, but also at students, associations, and film enthusiasts in the region. This mix of audiences is essential to create a space for the circulation of ideas. “Visions Sociales allows direct access to works and creates spaces for exchange with audiences. It is a tangible way to promote an open, accessible culture in tune with contemporary realities,” highlights Valérie Grenier, member of the CCAS Cultural Action Commission and festival spokesperson. This policy is part of the historical mission of the Social Activities of Energy, which, since 1946, have considered culture as an essential common good.
A 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 over twenty years, are known for a cinema that transcends borders and cultures, with a special focus on social contexts, identities, and languages. Their filmography, including Noor (2012), Sibel (2018) and more recently Confidente (2025), presented at the Berlinale, reflects a constant commitment to giving a voice to human stories often absent from dominant representations. Their presence as godmother and godfather resonates perfectly with the festival’s DNA.
Photography to extend the gaze
In addition to its film program, the festival will host an exhibition by photographer Fatma Hassona. Her documentary work focuses on individuals and their daily lives in conflict zones, notably in Gaza. By capturing fragments of life, gestures, and faces, she sheds light on human survival and resilience at the heart of violence. This exhibition offers another form of storytelling of reality, creating a powerful dialogue between still image and moving image and broadening the field of reflection on contemporary issues.
The full program will be unveiled soon. All information can be found on the official website of the organizer: https://www.ccas.fr.
