FIPADOC is an international documentary film festival held annually in Biarritz and, since its inception, one of Modern Times Review festival friends. Over its six days, FIPADOC brings members of the public and professionals together for screenings of outstanding documentary films. Also committed to industry, FIPADOC hosts a variety of meet-and-greets and premiers new projects, furthering the festival’s commitment to impact, innovation, image appreciation, and new talent.
With FIPADOC 2020 coming, currently scheduled for 17 – 23 January 2022, Modern Times Review spoke with its Artistic Director Christine Camdessus for some more insight into its 2022 form, how FIPADOC has adapted in this, its second pandemic-era edition, and more.
Can you explain what exact form the 2022 edition of FIPADOC will take? Given (again) the spike in COVID-19 cases, how will the festival be presented?
Our choice for 2022 is to have a physical event. We believe in real encounters between the public and the filmmakers in theatres. We believe in the need for the professionals to be together and meet & match. We will do our best to welcome the ones who will come to have a memorable event with a great selection of films and projects.
Given this is now year 2+ of the pandemic’s effect on the festival scene, what sort of things has FIPADOC learned from its 2021 hybrid version? How have you improved upon this for the 2022 edition?
In 2021, the festival took place in three phases: industry days in January in a digital format, Campus Nomad in May brought a selection of films to young audiences in Cinemas and in classrooms, finally, in June the festival was held in Biarritz in presence of the directors.
For 2022, we have been confident to propose a full edition on the 3rd week of January, limiting our digital access to English speaking sessions in case some of our foreign guests cannot come to Biarritz.
If the sanitary conditions in France in January don’t limit access to theatres, restaurants, or hotels in Biarritz, our event will happen from January 17th to 23rd. If not, we will move the festival to March 2022.
If the sanitary conditions in France in January don’t limit access to theatres, restaurants, or hotels in Biarritz, our event will happen from January 17th to 23rd. If not, we will move the festival to March 2022.
Can you expand a little on your industry programme? The industry events are a key part of any festival, so how does the FIPADOC industry events compare/differ with others across the circuit?
As a great recognition of our commitment to the documentary industry, our industry event is, for the first time, supported by Creative Europe. Our event is at the beginning of the year so our pitches, conferences, masterclasses will look ahead to reveal new trends of our industry. It is important for us to work on two levels, regional and European, throughout the program. This edition will Focus on Benelux territories, this is an opportunity to discover great films and to better understand each other’s ways of co-producing. Hopefully, it will lead projects involving Belgian, Luxembourgish, Dutch, and French actors.
As Artistic Director, how would you describe your responsibilities? What sort of philosophy to you apply to the role? As you are also a documentary director, how do those two roles compare?
I have been a documentary producer for 20 years; my role was to defend and promote the directors and the films I produced. My responsibility at FIPADOC is different, it is more to define the identity of the festival and reinforce our presence locally and internationally for it to become an important and joyful event for the filmmakers. My role is also strengthening the role of festivals in the value chain of the documentary industry.
What are some key films from the 2022 programme that you are looking forward to? Any other special events or industry activities?
We have selected 150 films and 30 digital experiences (including podcasts for the first time). Each of them is special to us and we’re eager to share them with our audience of documentary lovers. That makes us happy! Special event… the sanitary constraints might stop us to have great parties however we’ll do our best!
We have selected 150 films and 30 digital experiences (including podcasts for the first time).
For you, was there a seminal documentary, or perhaps filmmaker/filmography that kick-started your interest in the documentary genre?
Nuit et Brouillard, Le Chagrin et la pitié, When We Were Kings, Suicide of a Nation, Rabbit a la Berlin and The Fog of War…but I could go on!
