Held in the heart of the Coronation City at the Opéraims cinema on Place Drouet-d’Erlon, Reims Polar has established itself as an unmissable event for genre film lovers and industry professionals alike. The direct successor to the famous Beaune International Crime Film Festival—itself inheriting the legacy of Cognac—this event celebrates crime cinema in all its forms, from psychological thrillers and gritty noir to hard-boiled investigations, spy stories, and courtroom dramas.
Festival Origins
Founded in 2021 by Public Système Cinéma with the backing of the City of Reims and the Grand Est Region, Reims Polar continues a prestigious cinematic tradition dedicated to crime films.
After its inaugural edition adapted to a digital format due to health restrictions in 2021, the festival found its physical home in the heart of Reims in spring 2022. The event stems from a commitment to celebrate a universal and popular film genre while enhancing the cultural prestige and appeal of the Reims metropolitan area.
A Comprehensive and Diverse Program
Every spring, Reims Polar delivers a captivating journey through crime cinema, exploring a wide range of styles, perspectives, and international origins.
The official selection features competitions for international feature films unreleased in France, alongside Sang Neuf (Fresh Blood), a section showcasing emerging filmmakers and innovative storytelling.
Film heritage and genre history take center stage through thematic retrospectives, tributes to major figures in world cinema, and iconic awards such as the Prix Claude Chabrol, which annually honors a French film released in the preceding months.
The festival is further enriched by youth screenings, special out-of-competition sessions, and local cultural partnerships, notably with the Opéra de Reims and public library networks.
Guests of Honor and Panels
The essence of Reims Polar lies in accessibility, shared passion, and direct engagement between artists and audiences.
Screenings serve as focal points extended by Q&A sessions, and thematic panel discussions featuring directors, screenwriters, actors, and authors. These panels offer festivalgoers a deep dive behind the scenes—from crafting suspenseful narratives to staging dark, atmospheric worlds.
Over the years, renowned figures from French and world cinema have taken part as speakers, jurors, or guests of honor, including Jacques Weber, Yvan Attal, Claude Lelouch, Jacques Audiard, Cécile de France, Danièle Thompson, François Ozon, Gilles Lellouche, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Park Chan-wook, and Gus Van Sant.
Juries and Awards
Artistic excellence and the spotlighting of new voices are celebrated through several official competition categories:
- The International Jury, composed of acclaimed figures from film and culture (directors, actors, writers, composers), awards the Reims Polar Grand Prix and the Jury Prize.
- The Sang Neuf Jury highlights boldness, discovery, and rising talent in crime cinema.
- The Press Jury, bringing together critics and journalists from top media outlets, awards the Critics’ Prize.
- The Grand Est Youth Jury gives regional youth a voice, allowing them to present their own official award.
- The Audience Award lets festivalgoers vote directly after competition screenings to champion their personal favorite.
Key Figures
The success and reach of Reims Polar build on a rapidly growing cultural and economic momentum since its launch in Champagne. Each edition attracts tens of thousands of filmgoers attending screenings at the Opéraims cinema and participating in festival events.
Every year, the festival screens around fifty films representing dozens of nationalities, reaffirming its international footprint and its power to uncover crime cinema from around the globe.
Financially and operationally, Reims Polar relies on the backing of the City of Reims, the Marne Department, the Grand Est Region, alongside major private and media sponsors (notably Canal+, France Télévisions, OCS, and France Culture). The organization is driven by dedicated volunteers and local partners who welcome the public, the juries, and the hundred or so international guests attending each year.