Nice celebrates South American cinema: ten days of stories, music and Latin American cuisine

From 27 February to 8 March, Nice once again becomes a vibrant showcase for South American cinema with the fourth edition of Fiesta del Cine. The festival will turn the city into a meeting point of images, sounds and flavours, hosted in emblematic venues such as the Cinéma Variétés, the Cinéma Rialto and the Cinémathèque de Nice.

Over ten days, audiences will be able to discover ten feature films presented as world premieres, coming from seven countries – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay. Many of these works, rarely distributed in French cinemas, offer an authentic and contemporary insight into dynamic and often little-known cultural realities.

A defining feature of the festival is the direct dialogue between filmmakers and audiences. Directors and film crews will take part in discussions either in person or via live connections from Latin America, creating moments of exchange that enrich the cinematic experience.

An opening between emotion and imagination

The opening night, scheduled for 27 February at 7 p.m. at the Cinéma Variétés, will feature the premiere of Risa y la cabina del viento by Juan Cabral, a film recently awarded at the Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata. Balancing realism and fantasy, the film reinterprets the idea of the Japanese “wind phone”, a symbolic telephone booth created after the 2011 tsunami to speak with loved ones who have passed away.

Set in Ushuaia, the story follows Risa, a ten-year-old girl coping with the loss of her father alongside her mother. The screening will be preceded by a live music and dance performance inspired by Argentine rhythms.

Competition and Audience Award

At the heart of the festival lies the official competition. After each screening, spectators will be invited to vote for their favourite film. The Audience Award winner will be announced during the closing ceremony and screened again on 8 March at the Cinéma Rialto.

The closing evening, taking place on 7 March at 7 p.m. at the Rialto, will also host the French premiere of the documentary Jacquin, le magnifique (Jacquin, Como Você Nunca Viu) by Eric Belhassen, dedicated to Brazilian chef Erick Jacquin. The film offers an intimate portrait of one of Brazil’s most famous culinary figures, tracing his successes, setbacks and renewal.

Between heritage and new talent

Alongside new releases, the Cinémathèque de Nice will present a selection of restored classics from Argentine cinema of the 1950s, highlighting the festival’s commitment to combining memory and modern creativity. The short film competition also returns, open to both emerging filmmakers and established professionals.

Three prizes will be awarded, including a professional internship offered by ESRA Nice. The winning short film will be screened exclusively during the closing ceremony, following the selection by a jury of industry professionals.

A celebration beyond the screen

True to the spirit of a “fiesta”, the event goes far beyond cinema alone. Concerts, dance performances and tastings will accompany the main screenings, allowing audiences to enjoy traditional specialities such as arepas, empanadas, feijoada and classic cocktails.

For ten days, through films, music and flavours, the heart of Latin America will beat on the French Riviera, offering Nice a rich and immersive cultural experience.