Each year since 1979, in the city of Nantes, the FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS becomes a showcase for 80 to 100 films, dramatics & documentary, from Africa, Latin America and Asia.

This geographical interest, pioneer at its time, does no longer summarize the Festival des 3 Continents' full identity even though it is still what yields it and sometimes distinguishes it. The festival is fueled by curiosity, a taste for discovery, conversations and panels, diverse aesthetic concerns, love of films. For all these reasons it has become a treat for true cinephiles and casual filmgoers alike that know the Festival des 3 Continents' constant will to serve them.
Throughout the year, and through its various ongoing events committed to the cinemas of the South, the FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS discovers and presents films that it passionately wishes to defend.

Place of discovery

From the very start the FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS has consistently displayed a certain flair in its programming. Numerous tributes have made a mark: Raj Kapoor (in 1984) or Satyajit Ray (in 1980 and a full retrospective in 2006), the Argentine new wave (first in 1997 and again in 2002), Melvin Van Peebles (in 1979), Tolomouch Okeev (in 2002)...

The competitive section also has its claims to fame: Souleymane Cissé in 1979, Hou Hsiao-hsien in 1984, Abbas Kiarostami in 1987, Wong Kar-wai in 1991, Tsai Ming-liang in 1993, Jia Zhang-ke in 1998 and many others...

The FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS is and will remain a place of discovery.