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.

A New Way to Meet: monAmour Aperitif in Nice

 

In a refreshing break from the endless scroll of dating apps, a new weekly event in Nice is inviting people to connect the old-fashioned way—face to face, over a drink.

The monAmour Aperitif is launching at La Cave Wilson, offering a relaxed and welcoming space specifically for LGBT+ singles seeking meaningful relationships.

Designed with intention, the evening focuses on genuine connection rather than quick swipes and fleeting conversations.

Held every Thursday at 6:30 pm, the gathering has already begun to build momentum, regularly drawing over 50 guests each week. The setting—intimate, charming, and social—creates the perfect backdrop for conversations that might just lead to something more lasting.

For those ready to step away from screens and into real-life encounters, the monAmour Aperitif offers a simple but powerful proposition: show up, be present, and see where the evening takes you.

No membership is required.

A Gentle Reminder for Planning Your French Riviera Escape

 

As the warmer months approach, the familiar wave of travel content begins to flood our social media feeds—sun-drenched terraces, perfectly framed coastlines, and curated itineraries promising to show you the best of the French Riviera in just a few days. It’s inspiring, no doubt. But it’s also worth approaching some of this advice with a thoughtful eye.

If you’re planning a trip to this remarkable stretch of coastline, one of the kindest things you can do for yourself is a bit of independent research. Not to take away from the excitement—but to ensure your experience feels as good as it looks. And also sometimes not completely knowing is the best part of an adventure in travel.

Living here, you start to notice patterns. Some travel advice circulating online—particularly from short-term visitors or influencers or those passing through—can occasionally miss the mark.

Details like transport costs, local customs, or even the best way to get from one place to another aren’t always as they’re presented. And while the idea of seeing everything at once can be tempting, trying to fit too much into a single day often leads to fatigue rather than fulfillment. We see that all the time at the end of a day with visitors. And it doesn’t appear enjoyable.

Places like Monaco, Menton, or Villefranche-sur-Mer aren’t just photo opportunities—they each have their own rhythm, character, and quiet details that reveal themselves best when you slow down. The Riviera, after all, is something to be savoured.

Take Èze Village as another example. You may have seen recommendations suggesting a hike up from the seaside station. While it’s certainly a beautiful trail for those prepared, it’s not the only option—and not always the wisest in the summer heat.

There’s a local bus (#83) that runs regularly, and other simple alternatives such as grabbing an Uber for a quick ride that make the journey far more comfortable. Sometimes the most “authentic” experience is simply the one that allows you to enjoy your surroundings safely and at ease.

It’s also worth being mindful when it comes to concierge-style services advertised on social media. While there are reputable professionals with deep local knowledge, there has been a rise in offerings from individuals or companies without a real presence in the region. Promises of exclusive access—to all the restaurants, beach clubs, or major events—can come with high costs and, quite occasionally, uncertainty.

Whenever possible, booking directly or working with established local providers can offer both peace of mind and often better value. And sometimes what is considered a hot spot is actually a tourist trap. Once again, go where the locals are for a more authentic experience.

At its heart, the French Riviera isn’t a checklist—it’s a feeling. It’s the unplanned lunch that lingers into the afternoon, the quiet streets just beyond the main squares, the conversations, the scents, the subtle differences between one town and the next. Even those who live here haven’t seen it all—and that’s part of the magic.

So take your time. Stay curious. Ask questions. And whenever you can, lean on local knowledge.

Because the best trips aren’t the ones where you’ve seen everything—they’re the ones you can’t wait to continue.  

Champagne Lifestyle, Unpaid Reality: The Côte d’Azur Jet-Set Illusion Cracks

 

On the surface, it was the kind of life the French Riviera sells to the world: luxury, appearances, and effortless wealth. But according to a report by Nice-Matin, a young couple living the high-flying “jet-set” lifestyle on the Côte d’Azur is now facing legal trouble for something far less glamorous — allegedly failing to pay their rent.

A stunning villa on the heights of Villefranche-sur-Mer of over 350m² with contemporary lines, overlooking the billionaires’ peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. And the rent to match: 58,000 euros for two months’ occupancy.

The case, now in the hands of the courts, exposes a stark contradiction. The pair reportedly maintained an image of affluence on social media, while attempting to move through elite social circles and projecting a life of ease and excess. Yet behind the curated façade, their landlord claims months of unpaid rent — a detail that cuts sharply against the image they worked to uphold.

This isn’t just a story about unpaid bills. It’s a snapshot of a broader Riviera paradox: in a region synonymous with wealth, the pressure to appear rich can sometimes outweigh the reality of actually being solvent. The Côte d’Azur has long attracted aspirational lifestyles — influencers, social climbers, and transient elites — all orbiting the same high-cost ecosystem.

In that environment, image becomes currency. Yet for many of us locals they can become transparent in their goals and seeing someone covered in designer wares (fake or real) tends to tell us what is likely more of the truth.

According to the report, the dispute escalated to legal proceedings after attempts to recover the owed rent failed. What makes the case particularly striking is the contrast between the couple’s visible lifestyle and the alleged financial neglect behind closed doors.

It’s a familiar modern narrative: luxury as performance. Designer outfits, high-end venues, and social media optics can create the illusion of stability — even success — while masking financial fragility. On the Riviera, where sometimes status is both hyper-visible and relentlessly competitive, that illusion can be especially seductive.

But reality, as this case shows, eventually collects its debts.

Whether the courts ultimately rule against the couple remains to be seen. What is already clear, however, is that the line between wealth and the appearance of wealth is thinner than ever — and on the Côte d’Azur, that line can come with a very real price.