La Rochelle Fiction Festival 2025: A Bold, Renewed Edition Tackles Urgent Social Themes
With a strong focus on social issues, the 25th edition launches a new careers forum, widens its francophone scope, and honors late president Stéphane Strano.
A New Era for the La Rochelle Fiction Festival
At a press conference held on Wednesday, August 27, organizers unveiled the 2025 edition of the Festival de la Fiction in La Rochelle, France’s leading event for television fiction. The festival will run from September 16 to 21 and marks a significant transition: it is the first without its long-time president Stéphane Strano, who passed away on August 16.
Sophie Révil, now leading the festival, opened the event with a heartfelt tribute before revealing a program centered on pressing social concerns, including violence against women, mental health, and ecological anxiety—issues that resonate deeply with French society.
A Career Forum to Inspire the Next Generation
A major new feature this year is the launch of the Forum des Métiers, a daylong careers and education fair created by festival director Pauline Hertault. The initiative is aimed at high school students and designed to raise awareness and provide pathways into the audiovisual industry.
Participants include top institutions such as Panthéon-Assas’s Media Law Master’s program, MediaSchool, INA Campus, and the screenwriting school CEEA. Workshops, masterclasses, career booths, and special sessions will help bridge the gap between education and employment in the screen sector.
Francophone Creation in the Spotlight
This year’s Rendez-vous de la création francophone will return with an expanded format, placing new focus on production from Belgium, Switzerland, Québec, and Africa. The international francophone competition has also broadened its scope, signaling the festival’s commitment to diverse storytelling across borders.
Virginie Grimaldi to Head Jury
Best-selling novelist Virginie Grimaldi will preside over the main jury, chosen for her ability to “connect creative worlds,” according to Révil. She’ll be joined by screenwriter Alice Chegaray-Breugnot, actors Yannick Choirat and Sofia Essaïdi, director Louis Farge, producer Juliette Sol, and composer Clément Tery.
The international francophone jury features Angela Aquereburu-Rabatel (RTB, Benin), producer Arnaud de Crémiers, and Swiss director Pierre Monnard. The Unifrance foreign press jury includes journalists Philippe Congiusti (Switzerland), Cassie Jo Panayis (South Africa), and Cédric Petit (Belgium).
New Competitive Categories Reflect a Rising Standard
Révil praised this year’s selection for its "spectacular leap in quality and diversity of genres." For the first time, the series competition will be split into three categories: Best Comedy or Comedy-Drama, Best Drama Series, and Best Suspense Series.
Highlights from the Competition:
TV Movies (Unitaires):
Monsieur, Un autre père, Une relation dangereuse, Prisonnière52-minute Series — Comedy/Comedy-Drama:
La Belle et le boulanger, Le Diplôme, Ma femme est une espionne !52-minute Series — Drama:
L'Affaire Laura Stern, Les Saisons, Si je veux52-minute Series — Suspense:
Désenchantées, Je sais pas, Il était deux fois, Phoenix26-minute Series:
Bistronomia, Extra-lucide, PécheressesShort-Form Series (under 20 minutes):
Au fond du trou, Battle la Rényon, Fleur bleue, Friendcast, Immeuble partagé
Special Screenings and Industry Events
Major networks and streamers will present anticipated premieres:
Les Disparues de la gare (Disney+)
Les Sentinelles (Canal+)
Belphégor (M6 & HBO Max)
Merteuil (Max)
Montmartre (TF1)
The Deal (Arte, Switzerland co-production)
Le Parfum du bonheur (France TV, based on a story by Virginie Grimaldi)
Culte : 2Be3 (Prime Video)
Over 250 one-on-one meetings are scheduled between creators and distributors. Two major debates are planned on Friday, September 19:
“Fictions for Young Adults: Mission Seduction” (Artistic Debate)
“Circulation of Works: The Great Disruption” (Policy Debate with CNC and Arcom presidents)
Finally, the Producer of the Year Award will be presented by the association Pour les Femmes dans les Médias.
With expanded programming, tributes to industry pioneers, and a renewed emphasis on mentorship and outreach, the 2025 edition of the La Rochelle Fiction Festival reaffirms its role as a key hub for creators, broadcasters, and audiences across the Francophone audiovisual world.