Menton International Fantastic Film Festival Celebrates Its 10th Edition

Menton is once again welcoming fans of fantastic cinema for the 10th edition of the Menton International Fantastic Film Festival, running from October 22 to 25, 2026. Over four days, the town hosts film screenings, professional meetings and discussions exploring a genre known for its imaginary worlds, extraordinary stories and creative approaches to storytelling.

The main venues are the Palais de l’Europe and the municipal library L’Odyssée, while the Eden Cinema is hosting a parallel retrospective dedicated to cult classics of fantastic cinema. Organisers expect around 4,000 visitors and spectators throughout the event.

Menton Fantastic Film Festival Introduces a New Voting System

One of the most significant changes this year concerns the selection of the official award winners. Instead of relying on a traditional small jury, the Festival has opted for a broader group of accredited film professionals who will vote on the competing films.

The aim is to ensure that the awards reflect a range of professional perspectives and expertise, following a model inspired by major international film academies.

“Inspired by the principles of major film academies, this system stems from the belief that the awards should reflect a professional, diverse and independent perspective,” explains Fabrice Ceccherini, the Festival’s founder and organiser.

Directors, producers, actors, screenwriters, distributors, programmers and other film industry professionals will be eligible to vote, provided they have attended the screenings and watched all the films in competition.

Five official awards will be presented: Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Very Short Film, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Four Days of Films, Meetings and Industry Insights

The Festival opened on Thursday, October 22, at the L’Odyssée municipal library with a series of events exploring different aspects of filmmaking. Topics included Jean Cocteau’s La Belle et la Bête, the work of stunt performers, film production financing and casting.

The opening day continued at the Palais de l’Europe with a reception for invited guests and accredited professionals, followed by the opening screening.

On Friday, October 23, the Festival continues with screenings scheduled for 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 9 pm. Among the films featured is Massaia, directed by Nabil Bouraghda. A professional meeting for accredited participants is also scheduled for 4 pm.

Saturday, October 24: Screenings and a Gala Evening

Saturday’s programme begins at 2:30 pm and includes films such as La traque, Le réveil and Les envahisseurs de Vénus.

At 4 pm, the Salon des Pays-Bas will host a discussion on adapting literary works for the screen, coordinated by Guillaume Levil. The meeting will explore the relationship between literature and cinema, including how written stories can be reinterpreted through the language of film.

The day will conclude with a gala evening at the Casino Barrière, scheduled for 8 pm. Reservations are required for this event.

Sunday, October 25: Closing Events and Official Awards

Sunday marks the final day of the Festival, with the announcement of the official award winners. From 2:30 pm, artists are expected to arrive outside the Palais de l’Europe in vintage cars, adding a special touch to the closing celebrations.

The programme also includes a screening of Jean Cocteau’s La Belle et la Bête in the theatre at the Palais de l’Europe. The day will also feature the presentation of the official awards, determined through the Festival’s new professional voting system.

A Retrospective Celebrating Fantastic Cinema Classics

Alongside the competition and professional events, Menton’s Eden Cinema will host a retrospective of cult films from the fantastic cinema genre throughout the four-day Festival.

The initiative broadens the event’s programme, offering audiences an opportunity to rediscover significant works that have helped shape the history and imagination of fantastic cinema.

How to Attend the Menton International Fantastic Film Festival

Public screenings are free of charge, subject to available seating. Professional meetings are reserved for accredited participants, while reservations are required for the gala evening at the Casino Barrière.

The Palais de l’Europe is the Festival’s main venue, with additional events taking place at the L’Odyssée municipal library and the Eden Cinema.

For the full programme and further information, visit the official website: www.festival-film-fantastique.com.