An institution since 1994, the Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival (Fantastic’Arts) has introduced French audiences to cult works. A major date for fans of the genre. 33rd edition in 2026 from 27 January to 1 February, theme Bas les masques, Indonesian cinema in the spotlight, tribute to Neil Marshall, jury chaired by Alice Taglioni, Olga Kurylenko as guest of honour. Official programme at festival-gerardmer.com.
The concept
A week of screenings, meetings with directors, masterclasses, previews. Several venues: the Casino, the Espace L.A.C., outdoor screenings over the frozen lake in some years.
The selections
- International competition: unseen feature films
- Short film selection
- Thematic retrospectives
- Young audience section adapted
The awards
The official competition hands out several prizes:
- Golden Gryphon: the jury’s grand prize, awarded to the best feature film in the international competition
- Silver Gryphon: special jury prize
- Bronze Gryphon: audience prize, voted for by accredited festivalgoers and pass holders
- Critics’ Prize: awarded by the accredited press in attendance
- Short Film Prize: for the best short in competition
These awards carry real weight in the genre film world: winning the Golden Gryphon at Gérardmer boosts a director’s career and often guarantees a French theatrical release.
Cult films revealed at Gérardmer
Since 1994, Gérardmer has been the first French screen for dozens of works that have become genre classics. A few notable titles:
- [Rec] (Jaume Balagueró, 2007): Spanish found footage, a festival sensation
- In My Skin (Marina de Van, 2002): radical French body horror, a local revelation
- Martyrs (Pascal Laugier, 2008): a shock film of the New French Extremity movement
- The Descent (Neil Marshall, 2005): British survival horror, considered the most frightening film of its year by many critics
- Let the Right One In (Tomas Alfredson, 2008): Swedish vampire film, Golden Gryphon winner, now a modern classic
- Inside (Bustillo and Maury, 2007): another pillar of French extreme cinema, premiered here
- The Babadook (Jennifer Kent, 2014): Australian horror, international revelation, awarded at Gérardmer
These titles show the festival’s importance as a trend detector in world genre cinema.
Press and professional accreditations
The festival offers an accreditation system for industry professionals:
- Press accreditation: open to journalists and specialist cinema/genre bloggers. Applications via the official website between September and November (deadline varies by year). Required: press card or proof of publication, list of media outlets served, letter of assignment.
- Professional accreditation: for agents, distributors, producers, rights buyers. Separate form, priority processing.
- Accredited professionals have access to press screenings in advance of the public (often the day before), press conferences and festival pro spaces.
For bloggers and content creators without an official press card, some years have seen “digital media” accreditations opened. Check directly with the festival’s press officer.
Tips for experienced festivalgoers
Seeing as many films as possible over 5 days requires organisation:
- Buy the week pass as soon as it goes on sale (often in October): it sells out fast and gives unlimited access to non-sold-out screenings.
- Prioritise the international competition for films you may not see anywhere else for a long time.
- Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for highly anticipated screenings (US previews, films from directors present in person).
- Check the programme on day one and plan your 5 days in blocks: morning (less crowded), afternoon (official screenings), evening (special events).
- Book your evening restaurant for the whole week on arrival: Gérardmer is saturated during the festival, the good tables fill up by 7pm.
- Use La Bresse as a base (15 min) to breathe in the evenings in a calmer setting, with the added bonus of skiing or a spa to decompress between films.
Alternative accommodation near Gérardmer
Finding accommodation in Gérardmer during the festival is genuinely difficult: the town is booked out from December. Alternatives to consider:
- Gîtes in the surrounding area: Cornimont, Le Tholy, Xonrupt-Longemer offer extra capacity 10 to 20 minutes away.
- La Bresse (15 min): the best option in terms of value for money and availability. Chalets, apartments and hotels are more accessible in January.
- Épinal (45 min): for those who find nothing closer, the Vosges prefecture has a substantial hotel stock.
The experience
- Queue 30 to 45 min before some screenings to get a good seat
- Bars and restaurants packed at night, booking strongly recommended
- Several costume nights in the village during the week
- Week pass on sale from October for keen cinephiles
Sleeping in La Bresse during the festival
15 min from Gérardmer, La Bresse offers a calm base away from the festival bustle, with the upside of a chalet, a private spa in the evening and skiing at the cinema’s doorstep. See our chalets.
Not to miss
- Closing night and the prize ceremony
- American previews presented by their director
- The all-night screenings on the weekend
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fantastic' Arts Festival?
Late January to early February each year. The 2026 (33rd) edition ran from 27 January to 1 February on the theme Bas les masques, with a jury chaired by Alice Taglioni.
Where is the official programme?
On festival-gerardmer.com. Accreditations and passes open several months in advance.
Do you need to book tickets?
Yes, many screenings sell out. Week pass or daily pass, online ticketing opens in autumn.
Where to stay during the festival?
Gérardmer fills up fast. La Bresse, 15 minutes away, is a quieter alternative with chalets and a spa for nights between films.