The Nice-based association Les Ouvreurs is one of the members of the French Federation of LGBTQIA+ Film Festivals, which was established last summer in Grenoble.
Founded in 2009, Les Ouvreurs is a Nice-based association that focuses its commitments on the prevention of sexist and LGBT-phobic violence on one hand, and the promotion of queer cultures (people whose sexual orientation or identity does not conform to dominant models) on the other.
Les Ouvreurs are now an integral part of the French Federation of LGBTQIA+ Film Festivals. This federation was officially created during its third meeting in Grenoble on August 27, 2023. It is the first federation of its kind in France.
“This initiative marks an important step in recognizing the meticulous work of hundreds of cultural actors, whether volunteers or not, who have been bringing to life all the Festivals that form our Federation across France for many years. Together, we will be stronger in making our voices heard and sharing our stories,” says Benoît Arnulf, president of the Federation.
This new association brings together twelve organizing entities of fourteen emblematic festivals in thirteen cities around France, such as Chérie-Chérie and Cinéffable in Paris, In&Out in Nice and Cannes, and Ze Festival run by Polychromes in the Sud Region.
Promoting Engaged Auteur Cinema on LGBTQIA+ Issues
The federation’s goal is to promote engaged auteur cinema, affirm its artistic nature, and highlight the richness and diversity of LGBTQIA+ cinematic works.
Representation is a crucial point: “Every selected film and each event organized by current or future member festivals are powerful moments contributing to a fair and equitable representation of the diversity of LGBTQIA+ experiences.”
The federation is also committed to combating sexist and LGBT-phobic discrimination through actions conducted during festivals or in school settings. It also aims to facilitate dialogues on the diversity of LGBTQIA+ topics and engage in militant days in the fight against AIDS and in Trans remembrance.
The azure capital hosted the 16th LGBTQIA+ Film Festival of Nice from November 4 to December 3, 2023. This edition consisted of 32 films, including 19 feature films and 13 short films. The festival also offered several sensory workshops around the drawings of Jean Cocteau to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his passing.
