Responding to an Absence
Firstly, it’s about establishing a new cultural, socio-cultural, activist, and civic event in Nice. Most major cities in France have already been hosting, for several years, film festivals with gay & lesbian and gender themes (Reflets Festival in Marseille, Lesbigaix in Aix-en-Provence, Vue d’en face in Grenoble, Question de Genre in Lille, Cinépride in Nantes, Festival Cinémarges in Bordeaux, Gay and Lesbian Film Days in Rouen, Paris Gay and Lesbian Film Festival…) which have managed to attract diverse audiences and create new interactions among people with different sensitivities.
POLYCHROMES intends to address the lack of such projects in Nice and meet the strong demand for a high-quality cultural and artistic event that can contribute to the normalization of themes presented in the films.
Gathering Diverse Audiences
Moreover, it is important to promote this initiative, a cultural approach to “different” sensitivities, throughout Nice and its districts. The goal is to enable encounters between the audience and original artworks and artists; and also among different groups (cinephiles, activists, the general public, students…) who normally do not have a platform for dialogue about gender and sexuality themes. Establishing and encouraging new types of relationships and exchanges, based on mutual listening at an individual or structural level rather than a community level.
Additionally, the search for sociocultural partners in the so-called “sensitive” districts of Nice has begun and must continue. The objective is to create connections and build a network of relay points that can initially provide information in hard-to-reach areas and, later, consider more concrete collaborations on specific actions and projects.
Providing an Educational Tool
Finally, and more specifically, “FROM ONE GENDER TO ANOTHER” should, alongside the main selection, offer teachers, educators, and students of secondary schools and youth associations a tangible tool for reflection and study that fits into the overall pedagogical approach led by the National Education on the following themes: citizenship, living together, self and mutual acceptance, education on sexualities and prevention, and the fight against discrimination in general and homophobia in particular.
The Polychromes Association
In late 2006, several LGBT activists gathered within a new association, POLYCHROMES, to organize non-existent cultural projects in Nice, including film meetings and a gay-friendly choir, to foster a common interest in live performances and literature, and to develop scientific activities in humanities & social sciences.
