Festival of the 3 Continents (Nantes) – France 2025

Background & History

The Festival des 3 Continents, established in 1979 by founders Alain and Philippe Jalladeau, is a renowned international film festival held annually in Nantes, France. Dedicated to showcasing fiction and documentary films from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, it has been a pillar of global cinephilia for over 45 years. The festival has introduced audiences to acclaimed filmmakers such as Hirokazu Kore-eda, Souleymane Cissé, Abbas Kiarostami, Wong Kar-wai, and Jia Zhang-ke, often presenting works that rarely reach mainstream circuits.

With a mission to broaden perspectives on cinema and the world, it combines bold programming, professional training, and community engagement. The festival attracts 26,000 attendees, including 10,000 students, across 200 screenings in 18 venues, supported by 150 volunteers and 350 professionals. It also contributes significantly to cultural exchange and the local economy, fostering a dialogue on contemporary cinema’s evolution.

Event Highlights

• Over 80 films from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, including fiction and documentaries, with a focus on French premieres.
• International Competition with awards like Montgolfière d’Or (€6,000), Montgolfière d’Argent (€4,000), Youth Jury Prize (€1,000), and Wik-Fip Public Choice Prize (€1,500).
• Thematic programs for 2025, such as retrospectives on Argentine cinema (23 films) and Korean filmmaker Shin Sang-ok (14 rare films).
• Special screenings, including opening and closing ceremonies, previews, and festival favorites.
• “Exile(s): Becoming a Foreigner” and “On the Other Side of Appearances: Magic, Fantasy, and Other Oddities” explore global narratives through works by directors like Naomi Kawase and Bong Joon-ho.
• Produire au Sud (PAS) workshops, training young filmmakers and producers from three continents, with a selection of three PAS World films.
• First Steps Towards the 3 Continents: curated films for children aged 4-10, including “Ponyo” and “The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun.”
• Free events: roundtable discussions, concerts, exhibitions, and Ciné-sage workshops on film criticism and podcasting.
• Festive dinner event and country-themed evenings, enhancing cultural immersion.

Daily Program

The full 2025 program will be announced closer to the event, typically in October, on the festival website (3continents.com). Below is a general outline based on historical patterns and announced details:

• Friday, November 21: Opening ceremony at Théâtre Graslin (6:30 PM, $11-$13), followed by a special screening. Evening screenings at Cinéma Katorza and Le Cinématographe ($9.36 standard, $7.02 discounted).
• Saturday, November 22: International Competition screenings at Katorza and Concorde (2:00 PM–10:00 PM, $9.36/$7.02). Produire au Sud workshop at Maison de l’Europe (10:00 AM, professionals only). Children’s program at Le Cinématographe (3:00 PM, $3.51).
• Sunday, November 23: Thematic screenings (Argentine cinema, Shin Sang-ok retrospective) at Pathé Nantes and Lutetia (1:00 PM–9:00 PM, $9.36). Free Ciné-sage workshop at Espace Cosmopolis (4:00 PM). Country evening at Trempo (8:00 PM, free with registration).
• Monday, November 24: Special screenings and “Exile(s)” program at Katorza and Bonne Garde (2:00 PM–10:00 PM, $9.36/$7.02). Conference on global cinema at Nantes Natural History Museum (6:00 PM, free).
• Tuesday, November 25: International Competition continues at Pathé and Le Cinématographe (1:00 PM–9:00 PM, $9.36). Free roundtable discussion at Espace Cosmopolis (5:00 PM). Children’s screenings at Saint-Paul, Rezé (2:00 PM, $3.51).
• Wednesday, November 26: “Magic, Fantasy, and Other Oddities” screenings at Katorza and Atlantic, La Turballe (3:00 PM–10:00 PM, $9.36/$7.02). PAS World film showcase at Le Cinématographe (7:00 PM, $9.36).
• Thursday, November 27: Competition and retrospective screenings across Nantes and Saint-Nazaire venues (1:00 PM–10:00 PM, $9.36). Festive dinner event at Espace Cosmopolis (7:30 PM, $23.40).
• Friday, November 28: Youth Jury screenings at Katorza (10:00 AM–5:00 PM, $7.02). Special screenings at Pathé and Saint-Michel (3:00 PM–9:00 PM, $9.36). Free exhibition at Espace Cosmopolis (6:00 PM).
• Saturday, November 29: Awards ceremony at Stereolux (7:00 PM, $11-$13), followed by closing film. Final screenings at Katorza and Concorde (1:00 PM–6:00 PM, $9.36). Country evening at Trempo (9:00 PM, free with registration).

Date & Duration

Dates: November 21–29, 2025
Duration: 9 days

Venue / Location

City: Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, France
Main Address: Cinéma Katorza, 3 rue Corneille, 44000 Nantes
Other Key Venues:

• Le Cinématographe, 12 bis rue des Carmélites, Nantes
• Cinéma le Concorde, 79 boulevard de l’Égalité, Nantes
• Cinéma Pathé Nantes, 12 Pl. du Commerce, Nantes
• Cinéma Bonne Garde, 20 rue Frère Louis, Nantes
• Théâtre Graslin, Place Graslin, Nantes (opening ceremony)
• Stereolux, 4 boulevard Léon Bureau, Nantes (awards ceremony)
• Espace Cosmopolis, 18 rue Scribe, Nantes (ticketing, exhibitions)
• Nantes Natural History Museum, 12 rue Voltaire, Nantes (conferences)
• Trempo, 6 boulevard Léon Bureau, Nantes (country evenings)
• Additional venues in Loire-Atlantique: Le Lutetia (Saint-Herblain), Eden 3 (Ancenis), Cinéma Jacques Tati (Saint-Nazaire), Le Gen’eric (Héric), L’Atlantic (La Turballe), Le Beaulieu (Bouguenais), Le Saint-Paul (Rezé), Le Saint-Michel (Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef), Ciné Toiles de Retz (Pornic), Le Vaillant (Vertou), La Toile de Mer (Pornichet).
  Events span 13 cities, including Nantes, Ancenis, and Saint-Nazaire, with screenings and activities in historic and modern venues.

Contact Information

Address: Les 3 Continents, 7 rue de l’Héronnière, BP 43302, 44033 Nantes Cedex 1, France
Phone: +33 2 40 69 74 14
Email: festival@3continents.com
Website: 3continents.com

Ticket Information

Tickets are available online via 3continents.com (typically from October) or on-site at Espace Cosmopolis.

• Standard Screening: $9.36
• Discounted (students, seniors): $7.02
• Child/Special Rate: $3.51
• 5-Ticket Booklet: $39.78
• Full Festival Pass: ~$99.45
• Student Day Pass: $14.04
• Ceremonies (opening/closing): $11–$13
• Festive Dinner Event: $23.40
  Early-bird passes and online pre-sales are recommended due to high demand. Some events, like conferences and exhibitions, are free. Check the festival website for 2025 pricing updates and group discounts.

Cultural Experience

The festival offers a deep dive into the cinemas of Africa, Latin America, and Asia, showcasing diverse narratives and styles often overlooked by mainstream circuits. Visitors engage with global cultures through films exploring exile, fantasy, and historical themes, complemented by live discussions with filmmakers, concerts, and exhibitions. The historic venues, like Cinéma Katorza and Théâtre Graslin, enhance the cultural ambiance, while country evenings at Trempo feature music and cuisine from featured regions. The festival fosters inclusivity, with programs for children, students, and non-experts, creating a vibrant, community-driven atmosphere.

Food & Drinks

Nantes’ culinary scene complements the festival with local specialties available near venues. Expect Breton galettes (savory crepes), seafood like moules marinières, and Loire Valley wines. Food stalls at Espace Cosmopolis and Trempo may offer dishes inspired by African, Latin American, or Asian cuisines, such as Senegalese yassa or Argentine empanadas, during country evenings. Local patisseries serve gateau nantais, and cafes near Place Graslin offer espresso and aperitifs. The festive dinner ($23.40) features a curated menu reflecting the festival’s global focus.

Family & Accessibility

Family-friendly with dedicated children’s screenings (“First Steps Towards the 3 Continents”) for ages 4-10 at $3.51 or free for some sessions. Workshops like Ciné-sage engage young audiences in film criticism. Most venues, like Katorza and Pathé, are wheelchair-accessible, but older theaters (e.g., Le Cinématographe) may have limited access due to historic architecture. Contact festival@3continents.com for specific accommodations. The festival promotes inclusivity with free events and programs for schools, attracting 10,000 student participants.

Getting There

• Airports: Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) is 8 miles from the city center (20-minute drive). Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is a 4-hour train ride to Nantes.
• Public Transport: Tan network operates trams (Lines 1, 2, 3) and buses (Lines 11, 54, C1-C5) connecting venues. Key stops: Commerce (Katorza, Pathé), Médiathèque (Graslin), Pirmil (Bonne Garde). Navibus river shuttles link Trentemoult to Nantes. Bicloo bike-sharing is available at stations like Racine and Verdun.
• Driving: Parking at Commerce, Graslin, or Zola lots; limited in historic areas. Use SS165 or A83 for regional access.
• Recommendations: Book transport via tan.fr or sncf-connect.com. Stay near Place Graslin for proximity to main venues.

Economic Impact

The festival draws 26,000 attendees, generating significant revenue for Nantes’ hospitality and tourism sectors. With 200 screenings across 18 venues and 13 cities, it supports local businesses, from theaters to restaurants. The Produire au Sud workshops foster international co-productions, boosting the regional film industry, backed by the City of Nantes and the Loire-Atlantique Council.