Cinémed 2026 in Montpellier: the Mediterranean Film Festival, 16–24 October
Experience Cinémed 2026 as a true immersion in the world of cinema, and round off each evening in the refined surroundings of the Hôtel Richer de Belleval. With film screenings, meet-and-greets and Mediterranean flavours, your stay will become a truly complete experience, where cinema blends with the Montpellier way of life.
Cinémed 2026 in Montpellier: nine days of Mediterranean cinema in the heart of the city
From Friday 16 to Saturday 24 October 2026, Montpellier will become the capital of Mediterranean cinema with the 48th edition of Cinémed, the International Mediterranean Film Festival. Screenings will take place at several of the city’s iconic venues: the Centre Rabelais, the Pathé Comédie, and the Utopia and Nestor-Burma cinemas.
With nearly 200 films on the programme, the festival offers a rich and varied line-up: feature-length and short films, documentaries, animated films, preview screenings, meetings with filmmakers, exhibitions and activities for young audiences. The opening night, on Friday 16 October at 8.30 pm, will feature Nanni Moretti’s *Les Cœurs affamés*, presented by the actor Hippolyte Girardot.
A programme for film lovers: competitions, tributes and preview screenings
Cinémed 2026 celebrates Mediterranean cinema through a carefully curated selection of films competing for the Golden Antigone, as well as tributes to leading figures in the world of cinema such as Marco Bellocchio, Camélia Jordana and Pablo Berger. A retrospective dedicated to Vittorio De Sica, a spotlight on emerging Egyptian cinema and an exploration of Arab fantasy films further enrich this particularly packed edition.
Among the highlights, around fifteen films will be screened as previews, including *L’Affaire Marie-Claire* by Lauriane Escaffre and Yvo Muller on Saturday 17 October at 7.00 pm, and *En haut de la pile* by Louis-Julien Petit on Monday 19 October at 7.00 pm. The Cinemed Meetings, taking place from 20 to 22 October, will bring together thirteen filmmakers from the sector to present their projects to a jury of film and audiovisual professionals.
After the session: a gourmet interlude at the Hôtel Richer in Belleval
Just a stone’s throw from the various screening venues, the Hôtel Richer de Belleval invites festival-goers to prolong the magic of Cinémed over an exceptional meal. At the Jardin des Sens, the Michelin-starred restaurant run by brothers Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, Mediterranean cuisine is reinvented with the changing seasons, enhanced by carefully selected local produce and a selection of organic wines.
For a more relaxed atmosphere, Bistrot La Canourgue serves up hearty, contemporary cuisine, perfect for chatting about the films you’ve seen that day. Between screenings, these venues offer a gourmet retreat where the pleasure of cinema is extended by the pleasure of fine food, in a setting where heritage and contemporary elegance come together.
Staying in Montpellier during Cinémed 2026
Attending Cinémed 2026 is also an opportunity to discover Montpellier, a vibrant city where culture, innovation and the Mediterranean way of life come together every day. Staying at the Hôtel Richer de Belleval means choosing an ideal base from which to easily reach the Centre Rabelais and the various screening venues, whilst enjoying the comfort and elegance of a Relais & Châteaux establishment.
Combining cinema, fine dining and heritage, a break in Montpellier during Cinémed promises a well-rounded experience, where every evening ends on a sophisticated note. Book your stay at our hotel now and enjoy Cinémed 2026 in the very best surroundings.
