Cinema and youth are highlighted in the heart of the Basque Country during six days of the festival. Created by Jérôme Pulis, the Biarritz Film Festival – Nouvelles Vagues promotes cinematographic creations linked to youth internationally. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday June 22 at 10 p.m. Jérôme Pulis tells Forbes the underside of a dazzlingly successful event.
Born in Biarritz, Jérôme Pulis grew up in his native Basque Country, before packing up for the capital. There, he worked in the Marie Claire group as a research manager. He drastically changed path and went to work for Condé Nast as a fashion editor. As opportunities arose, the young Basque joined the L’Oréal boat for two years before leaving for LVMH to take care of global communications for the perfume and beauty sector, where he remained for almost 16 years. There, a new adventure begins for the entrepreneur. He created the Biarritz Film Festival – Nouvelles Vagues. “Cinema lover, Biarritz lover, I was keen to create an event there, which would create a link between the new generation and cinema”, explains Jérôme Pulis. In 2023, the first edition of the festival takes place and it is a success. A unique theme in the world that gives power to youth for six days of festivities. Parity, diversity, the environment, in Biarritz, the young generation is taking up contemporary issues.
Youth in the spotlight
In total, eight French and international films are in competition this year (all previously unreleased in theaters in France), and eight jurors under 35 are there to decide between them. Students, culture pass holders… Around fifteen young people come to discover the festival and learn how to deliberate. “Our commitment to young people is at the very heart of the films, since the films presented during the festival focus on youth”, develops Jérôme Pulis. The competition is international, and the emphasis is on transmission. To do this, the event brings together major guests of honor, directors or actors, who come to meet the young audience and themselves propose a film that best evokes this youth. Among these renowned guests this year are Alice Diop, Alain Chabat, James Franco and also Matt Dillon.
A friendly event in the heart of the Basque Country
This year, the theme revolves around the New Wave. Round tables around artificial intelligence, on the place of desire between actor and director, or even on new professions in cinema. Thirty films in total are screened during the event, and five major previews every evening. The festival takes place at the Gare du Midi theater and the Cinéma Le Royal. On the Port Vieux beach, a large open-air screening accessible to all was held yesterday, in a “friendly” atmosphere.
The Nouvelles Vagues Festival attracted no less than 10,000 visitors last year for its grand premiere. “We did not expect such success. We were almost overwhelmed”, proudly affirms Jérôme Pulis. This year, around 15,000 people are expected by the founder of the event. A triumphant success in a city where culture is very much in the spotlight. “The city of Biarritz is a very loyal partner who supports us in all our efforts”, explains the founder of the festival, who can also count on Maison Chanel and Canal+ as prestigious partners. The young festival was able to make an impression and establish its legitimacy very quickly in the hearts of Biarrots and film buffs alike.
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