In&Out Nice Film Festival Turns 18: A Bold Celebration of Queer Cinema

 

As it reaches its 18th edition, the In&Out Nice Film Festival steps into adulthood with both pride and urgency. Marking what is often called the age of possibility, this milestone arrives at a moment shaped by global and local instability—making its mission more vital than ever.

In an increasingly uncertain world, organizing a queer film festival is not just a cultural act, but a political one. For the team behind In&Out, this annual gathering represents a deliberate space for expression, dialogue, and resistance—where creativity thrives and diversity is not only celebrated but fully lived.

The 2026 edition will run from April 23 to May 4, offering a rich and multifaceted program that extends beyond cinema into the visual arts. Two major exhibitions set the tone. Out of Body, hosted at the Espace à vendre from April 4 to May 30, brings together artists Tom de Pékin, Lazare Lazarus, Yannick Cosso, and Latifa Lekhdar, each exploring shared aesthetic and political commitments.

Meanwhile, Nice Queer: A History to Be Written, on view from April 10 to May 3 at Le 109, shines a light on the evolving and often underrepresented history of Nice’s LGBTQIA+ communities.

On screen, the festival continues its tradition of excellence and discovery. The Panorama section will present twelve premieres highlighting standout works in contemporary queer cinema. Documentary tributes will honor Hélène Hazera and Lionel Soukaz, two influential figures in queer cultural history.

Thematic programming will further deepen the conversation, with one strand dedicated to queer animation and another examining the experiences of LGBTQIA+ migrants.

Special screenings will include the extended version of The Laughter and the Knife (2025) by Pedro Pinho, alongside a restored presentation of The Lovers (1994), the second feature by Catherine Corsini.

Short films remain at the heart of In&Out’s identity. This year’s lineup includes the third Night of “Queer-film,” the second “Short en Queer DIY” competition—linked to the Nice Queer exhibition—and a cabaret inspired by Jérémy Piette’s debut short Le Garçon qui la nuit.

Guided by the enduring words of Oscar Wilde—“Wisdom is having dreams big enough not to lose sight of them while pursuing them”—the festival embraces its coming of age with conviction.

In challenging times, In&Out Nice stands as a reminder to keep imagining, keep creating, and above all, keep going.