The International Documentary Film Festival Biarritz (FIPADOC) will return January 23-31, 2026, with a renewed focus on the obligation of filmmakers to engage with critical global issues. Festival President Anne Georget and General Delegate Christine Camdessus have outlined a vision for the event – now in its 39th year[[2]] – as a counter to societal disillusionment, prioritizing accountability and fostering reflection through documentary film. This year’s programming will notably address the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, alongside broader themes of human rights and cultural preservation.
The 2026 edition of the International Documentary Film Festival, set to take place in Biarritz from January 23rd to 31st, aims to position documentary filmmaking as a proactive force against disillusionment. This vision is the guiding principle, according to festival President Anne Georget and General Delegate Christine Camdessus.
© Denica Tacheva
The upcoming International Documentary Film Festival Biarritz (FIPADOC) will emphasize accountability and engagement. “No one can feel both responsible and despairing.” This quote from Saint-Exupéry’s Pilot of War served as a guiding principle for the festival’s two organizers during a press conference held at the CNC in Paris on December 12th.
“In documentary filmmaking, as in any other cinematic genre, picking up a camera means taking responsibility – responsibility as an artist, as a citizen, as a witness.” Christine Camdessus stated, setting the tone for the festival. This approach is particularly relevant as documentary filmmaking increasingly intersects with social and political commentary.
Gaza and Ukraine Shape Festival Focus
As in previous years, the FIPADOC selection will address major global challenges. The conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have been central to the programmers’ considerations. “The goal isn’t to add to the noise, but to present films that contribute to reflection,” Christine Camdessus emphasized.
Two films addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been selected. The Clown of Gaza by Abdulrahman Sabbah follows the daily life of a professional clown who attempts to bring joy to children in refugee camps and in Gaza.
Who Still Lives? by Nicolas Wadimoff gives voice to Gazan artists, journalists, and musicians who have gone into exile. “It’s a way of bringing to light the memory of what Gaza was, away from clichés, generalizations, and condemnations,” Christine Camdessus explained.
Another key focus of this year’s festival is a Ukrainian season organized in collaboration with the French Institute and the Ukrainian Institute, with support from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Of the more than forty films submitted, FIPADOC chose to prioritize works by Ukrainian filmmakers.
“To remind everyone that culture remains essential nourishment for the soul, especially in times of conflict,” Anne Georget added. Five Ukrainian feature films will be screened in Biarritz, and Ukrainian writer Andreï Kourkov will join the national competition jury.
FIPADOC: A Civic, Committed, and European Festival
FIPADOC continues to strengthen its identity as a “civic festival,” a concept developed over several years. Issues such as femicide, democracy, rural life, globalization, climate change, and medical ethics are central to the 2026 selection.
Among the featured films are The Hippocratic Dilemma by Guillaume Estivie, which takes viewers inside a hospital ethics committee, and The Man Who Was Worth Six Billion by Eugene Jarecki, which received a special prize for the 10th anniversary of the Golden Eye at Cannes and is in contention for the Grand Prix Documentary Impact.
This competition will once again be associated with the European Human Rights in Motion prize, initiated by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which has renewed its confidence in the festival.
Spain and Portugal will be the featured territories, both in the artistic programming and during the professional days. Numerous international delegations are expected, including those from Ukraine, Nigeria, the Balkans, Central Asia, and Georgia.
FIPADOC Pro will also host 24 projects presented for co-production, with a strong focus on Spanish and Portuguese projects.
Documentary and Video Games Converge in Biarritz Immersive
A notable addition to this year’s festival is the inclusion of documentary video games, under the banner of Biarritz Immersive. “For the first time, we’re bringing together two worlds that sometimes ignore each other,” Anne Georget announced. A professional conference will accompany this selection, alongside works in virtual reality.
Finally, for those who missed the award-winning films from Biarritz, a retrospective screening is scheduled for February 6th, 7th, and 8th, 2026, at the Majestic Bastille in Paris.
