With 80 short films and nine concerts, the end-of-summer cinephile event is back until Saturday, September 3 at Parc de la butte du Chapeau Rouge in Paris (19th). An event that has been shining for more than twenty years by the quality of its programming. And its totally free.
The Festival of Lights 2022 in Lyon
The hedges compete on the freshly cut grass of the Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge. These days, cinephiles and the curious crowd every evening in a half-bucolic, half-festive, almost underworld atmosphere. In this garden overlooking the plain of Pré Saint-Gervais, in the northeast of the capital, it is still good to enjoy the mild summer days. The rosy light of twilight accompanies between dog and wolf a busy program each evening. Nearly two hours of short films follow a concert given at the start of the evening. Fictions, documentaries, experimental or animated films, all tastes and all eyes are drawn to the big screen at 9 p.m., which sometimes sways with the wind. Behind him, the lights of the city make the decor look like Sunset Boulevard.
Since its first edition, in 2002, this festival has known how to grow. It has become an unmissable event for lovers of the short format. Always free, it now benefits from the help of a hundred volunteers welcoming more than 12,000 festival-goers. A success that can be explained above all by the quality of the films screened, often previously screened at major festivals such as Cannes, Sundance or Annecy. Because this international competition makes it possible each year to take the pulse of the cinematographic vitality of the four corners of the world. The pulse of a youth too, because few established filmmakers remain on this format of less than 59 minutes.
Through these screenings, the films give a glimpse of the filmmakers of tomorrow, or quite simply the mavericks who flourish in these back alleys of the 7th art. Because short films are not impacted by the usual financial issues related to theatrical releases. Their lives are mostly spent in festivals, like here at Silhouette, where expression is freed from market competition.
The entire program can be found at www.association-silhouette.com. The announcement of the winners will take place this Saturday during the closing evening, and will be followed by the screening of the award-winning films. Run there!
