Spotlighted for its 18th year, the In&Out Nice Film Festival returns from 23 April to 4 May with premieres, restored classics and two major exhibitions that make this more than a cinema event, it's a queer cultural moment in Nice worth planning for.

Essential Takeaways

  • Dates and scope: The festival runs 23 April–4 May 2026 with exhibitions beginning in early April, mixing films, visual art and events.
  • Exhibitions to catch: Out of Body (Espace à vendre) and Nice Queer: A History to Be Written (Le 109) bring contemporary art and local queer history into the programme.
  • Screen highlights: Twelve Panorama premieres, documentary tributes to Hélène Hazera and Lionel Soukaz, plus a restored showing of Catherine Corsini’s The Lovers.
  • Shorts and community: Night of “Queer-film,” Short en Queer DIY competition and a queer cabaret nod to the festival’s grassroots, lively spirit.
  • Tone and mission: At 18, In&Out leans into political and cultural visibility, it's a place for joy, resistance and conversation.

Why the 18th edition feels like a coming of age

There’s a pleasing, slightly emotional charge to a festival turning 18; it’s both grown-up and still exuberant. In&Out arrives this spring with that exact mix, confidence on screen, a playful art programme and a clear sense of purpose. The organisers are framing the edition as necessary, not optional, given regional and global instability, and that urgency actually sharpens the festival’s appeal.

Festival director and volunteers have kept a steady hand for years, and this year the programme feels curated to insist that queer stories matter in galleries as well as cinemas. If you want an event where aesthetics and activism meet, this one makes its case.

Two exhibitions that expand the festival beyond the screen

Out of Body at Espace à vendre gathers Tom de Pékin, Lazare Lazarus, Yannick Cosso and Latifa Lekhdar; expect conceptual, tactile work that asks you to look again. Meanwhile Nice Queer: A History to Be Written at Le 109 frames local narratives that are often missing from official archives, so there’s a strong sense of reparation and community memory on display.

These shows run from early April, so you can see the exhibitions before the film programme kicks into full gear. Bring comfortable shoes, and leave time to read wall texts, both exhibits are meant to be lingered with, not skimmed.

The cinema programme: premieres, restored gems and documentary tributes

On screen, the Panorama section promises a dozen premieres that spotlight contemporary queer filmmaking from multiple countries. Festival-goers can also see an extended cut of Pedro Pinho’s The Laughter and the Knife alongside a restored print of Catherine Corsini’s The Lovers, giving classic and current work equal billing.

Documentary tributes to Hélène Hazera and Lionel Soukaz add historical depth; both figures have shaped queer cultural memory in France. If you love cinema that connects personal histories to larger politics, this blend of new and archival work delivers.

Shorts, DIY energy and the cabaret that keeps things lively

Short films remain the heart of In&Out’s identity, and the 2026 line-up doubles down on that. The Night of “Queer-film” keeps its cult energy, the Short en Queer DIY competition invites local makers to play with format and content, and a cabaret inspired by Jérémy Piette’s Le Garçon qui la nuit promises a spirited, performative night out.

Practically, shorts programmes are great if you want variety in one sitting, arrive early to grab a good seat, and expect the audience to be vocal and warm.

Practical tips: planning your visit to Nice for In&Out

Book tickets early for the Panorama premieres and restored features, as special screenings tend to fill quickly. If you’re pairing exhibitions and films, plan at least half a day for both venues, Le 109 and Espace à vendre are worth lingering over. Check local listings or the festival website for exact times and any free events.

Nice is busy in spring, so think about public transport or walking between venues; the city is compact and pleasant to navigate. And yes, bring a jacket for cool evenings, many screenings keep doors open between shows for conversation.

Closing line

It’s a small change to your spring plans that can make a big difference to your cultural life, take in a film, see an exhibition and let the festival’s mix of joy and urgency linger.

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