LES 3 CONTINENTS : A South-title for cinema

The Association created in Nantes on May 7, 1982, relating to the contract of the Association Law of July 1, 1901 under the original name of FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS (which was created by Alain and Philippe Jalladeau and celebrated its first edition in 1979), of unlimited duration, has been re-named LES 3 CONTINENTS (The 3 Continents).

This association aims to organize and promote an International Film Festival event called LES 3 CONTINENTS and cultural actions related to cinema and other cinematographic events, committed to the acknowledgement and recognition of cultures and artists from Africa, America (black and Latin presence) and Latin America and Asia.


THE 3 CONTINENTS
For several years, the 3 Continents Festival team has sought to devote itself not only to the organization of a unique event called Festival, but to diversify its actions orienting itself towards cinemas and professionals from the southern hemisphere (Africa, Latin America and Asia) and "to lead other cultural activities related to cinema" (refer to: association statutes). The association, re-named in 2008 "Les 3 Continents", thus implements the various following actions.

THE FESTIVAL
Each year since 1979, at the end of November in Nantes, the 3 Continents Festival offers a large platform of both drama and documentary films, made in Africa, Latin America and Asia. This geographic specialization, pioneering when the Festival started out, does not sum up the identity of the F3C. It is above all an aspect of what drives and occasionally distinguishes the Festival: curiosity, along with the appetite for discovery and encounters, high aesthetic standards, the love of cinema, from auteur films to popular movies, and the commitment to support it.
The 3 Continents Festival holds in 2009 its 31st edition (November 24th - December 1st).

PRODUIRE AU SUD
Produire au Sud Workshops are special film workshops that focus on the outline and structure of film co-production within the industry. The workshops aim to familiarize young producers based in the south with a variety of important tools. Produire au Sud Workshops is now one of the places in the world where a large contribution to tomorrow's best cinema is in preparation. While the Nantes workshop has become, over the years, a key rendezvous, Produire au Sud Worshops, in partnership with international film festivals, is also present abroad (Producing in the South Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Salvador de Bahia, Beirut...).
Produire au Sud Workshops, Nantes holds in 2009 its 10th edition during the 3 Continents Festival (November 25th - December 1st).

THE PAVILLON
Since 2005, within the framework of Le Pavillon Les Cinémas du Sud in Cannes, the 3 Continents Association has been entrusted with setting up professional activities and welcoming guests at the Pavilion as well as providing them with a personalized accompaniment for both the Cannes International Film Festival and the Cannes International Film Market. The 3 Continents Festival, works in partnership with CulturesFrance and other associates that support this action intended to specially support South-South promotion, distribution, dissemination and networking, during the Cannes Film Festival, reaching out to professionals specially involved or interested in African, Latin American, Asian and Eastern European audiovisual or cinema sectors.
The Pavillon Les Cinémas du Sud is held in 2009 in Cannes during the Festival (May 13th - May 24th).

SUPPORT FUNDS
Since 2007 the 3 Continents Association contributes to the implementation and management of the new EU-ACP Support Program for the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group States) cinema and audiovisual sector created and funded by the Secretariat of the ACP and the European Commission in Brussels.
Since 2006, at the behest of the French Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, the 3 Continents Festival has been managing a system of direct aide for the production of short films from Sub-Saharan Africa (FACMAS).

ONGOING EVENTS
Throughout the year, the 3 Continents Association programs various events during which it presents and accompanies films coming from the southern hemisphere (previews, thematic programs, retrospectives and carte blanches…), that create ongoing opportunities to favor exchanges between professionals coming from these southern countries and our audience. Our guests are invited to travel and to take part in these events helping us to create public awareness (school, young people, special audiences…) focused on South-South cinema and their specific issues. These events take place in Nantes and throughout the Pays de la Loire region.