This year, the Tous en Selle festival unveils six new films for its very first summer edition. Intended for cycling enthusiasts and the general public alike, this event aims to tell thrilling stories with strong values. As part of its tour, it will stop in Nice on June 9th at the Pathé Gare du Sud cinema.
The concept: humanity first, cycling second
Born from passion and a simple observation, Tous en Selle has managed to establish its identity in the cinematic landscape. As Antoine, the festival coordinator, explains: “the idea emerged in 2018 […] because it didn’t exist. There were already other film festivals, but none dealt with cycling.” Far from purely technical documentaries, the festival focuses on what matters: emotion and sharing. “Tous en Selle is a festival of human adventure films on bikes. […] We only select films that showcase human adventures with strong messages“, he clarifies.
To achieve quality programming, the team goes through intense preparation stages, starting with sorting the films received. “Every year, we receive about a hundred films. But unfortunately, we can only select five or six. So there’s a lot of selection work“, Antoine shares. The selection criteria are indeed very strict: “criterion number one is human adventure. We don’t select fiction. All our films are exclusive and unpublished.“
The festival’s other major challenge is logistical and human, since it operates as a national tour relying on the active forces of each region. “The challenge will be to find all the right people to host screenings throughout France […] When we don’t collaborate with cities, we invite local actors: cycling associations, clubs…“
How a session unfolds: a dynamic format
No time to get bored during the evening. The format is designed to keep viewers engaged through short and varied formats. “In a 2.5-hour session, with audience interaction, we see all six films in their entirety“, Antoine details.
The festival places great emphasis on interactivity to create a genuine moment of communion. “It’s not just a simple screening, it’s an exchange with the audience.” The Nice event will also have a special surprise for viewers: “specifically in Nice, there will be the film Cycling Without Age. A person from this association will come to share their testimony […] and discuss it after the screening.“
An inclusive festival open to everyone
The strength of Tous en Selle lies in its ability to speak to everyone, without distinction. On screen, diversity is total: “what matters to us is showing all practices and all practitioners: young people, elderly people, able-bodied or people with disabilities…“
No need to be an experienced cyclist to enjoy the spectacle, as sport takes a back seat here to storytelling. “Cycling is a pretext for telling stories. The main subject is never the bike, it’s the vehicle“, Antoine reminds us. He concludes: “viewers have realized that there’s no need to know the technical terms […] to appreciate the films. What matters to us is showing human adventures on bikes.“
By emphasizing emotion over athletic performance, the Tous en Selle festival establishes itself as an inspiring and deeply accessible cultural event. This Nice stop promises to bring together a wide audience around powerful images and enriching discussions with local nonprofit actors. Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or simply curious to discover extraordinary destinies, join us on June 9th at Pathé Gare du Sud to ride to the rhythm of these human adventures.
