LUMEXPLORE festival returns to La Ciotat for 11th edition

The LUMEXPLORE film festival is returning to the Eden-Théâtre in La Ciotat, the world’s oldest operating cinema, for its 11th edition in 2026. Organized by the Société des Explorateurs Français, the event celebrates scientific and environmental exploration, ranging from oceanic abysses to outer space.

A central component of the festival is the LUMEXPLORE Junior competition, now in its 6th edition. This initiative encourages middle and high school students from around the world, including participants from New Caledonia and Vietnam, to act as researchers and reporters by creating short films. The program aims to foster vocations in science, technology, and audiovisual fields by immersing students in real-world discovery challenges.

A professional jury, including representatives from IFREMER and festival directors, will evaluate the youth submissions. The festival highlights how exploration drives human progress, citing advancements in weather forecasting, satellite connectivity, and medical innovations.