First Photos : Opening Night: “What We Carry Within” Launches the 16th Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire

The 16th edition of the Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire opened on 16 September 2026 at the Christine Cinéma Club in Paris, bringing together filmmakers, artists, professionals and audiences for an evening of imaginative cinema and international encounters.

Held under the patronage of the French National Commission for UNESCO, this year’s Festival presents 26 short films from 12 countries over three evenings of competition.

Photo : Nika Kurti

Entitled “What We Carry Within,” the opening programme explored identity, memory, resilience and the intimate experiences that shape our relationship with ourselves and others. Through a variety of cinematic languages and cultural perspectives, the selected films invited the audience to look beyond appearances and consider what each person carries within.

We were delighted to welcome several members of the selected film teams:

• Elena Vialykh, director of The Skin I’m In, accompanied by the film’s producer, Stellakis Miltiadou
• A representative of At Night
• Mickael Abbate, director of No Wind to Hold
• Inès Djouder, director of Bourreau des Cœurs, accompanied by Clara, one of the film’s actresses

Their presence gave the audience an opportunity to discover the people and creative journeys behind the films, extending the dialogue from the screen into the cinema itself.

Photo : Nika Kurti

The evening began with an opening cocktail, creating a warm and welcoming space for filmmakers, guests, partners and festivalgoers to meet and exchange. These encounters are at the heart of the Festival’s mission: using imaginative cinema as a space for dialogue between cultures, generations and perspectives.

This first evening set the tone for three days of discovery, creativity and shared emotions in the heart of Paris.

We warmly thank all the filmmakers, guests, members of the jury, partners, volunteers and members of the audience who joined us for this opening night.

The adventure continues at the Christine Cinéma Club with two further evenings of international short films, encounters and imagination.

Photo : Nika Kurti