Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
UGC schedules rival Bordeaux film festival during FIFIB dates
UGC will run a rival film festival in Bordeaux from 2 to 8 November, at three of its cinemas.
The event, called The Big Screen, overlaps with the fifteenth edition of the Bordeaux Independent Film Festival, known as FIFIB, which runs from 2 to 7 November.
FIFIB founders Pauline Reiffers and Johanna Carraire ended their 13-year partnership with UGC cinemas in Bordeaux.
They said they made that decision after Canal+, part of Vincent Bolloré’s group, acquired a 34% stake in UGC’s parent group in October 2025, with an option to take full control in 2028.
The founders have also signed a public statement opposing Bolloré.
FIFIB will continue working with independent cinema Utopia and begin a partnership with Bordeaux’s national theatre, and plans to screen about 100 films.
The festival drew around 20,000 people in 2025, and this year’s overlapping events set the former partners in direct competition.
UGC will hold its own film festival in Bordeaux from 2 to 8 November, overlapping with the Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival (FIFIB).
The FIFIB is scheduled to run from 2 to 7 November, and UGC’s event will use the same dates and feature the same previews.
The dispute follows the end of a 13-year partnership between the FIFIB’s founders and UGC cinemas in Bordeaux.
The founders said they ended the partnership after Canal+ acquired a 34% stake in UGC’s parent group in October 2025.
The FIFIB will continue working with the independent cinema Utopia and begin a partnership with the Théâtre national de Bordeaux en Aquitaine.
- Who
- UGC and the Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival (FIFIB).
- What
- UGC announced a festival called The Big Screen, scheduled to overlap with the FIFIB.
- When
- The Big Screen is scheduled for 2 to 8 November; the FIFIB is scheduled for 2 to 7 November. The year is not stated.
- Where
- At UGC cinemas in Bordeaux: Gambetta, Bassins à flot and Talence.
- Why
- The FIFIB’s founders ended their 13-year partnership with UGC after Canal+ acquired a 34% stake in UGC’s parent group. UGC’s reason for scheduling its festival is not stated.
UGC
FIFIB
Festival timing
UGC
UGC scheduled The Big Screen for 2 to 8 November.
FIFIB
The FIFIB is scheduled for 2 to 7 November, the same period as UGC’s event.
End of partnership
UGC
UGC disputes the FIFIB’s account of when the partnership was ended.
FIFIB
Pauline Reiffers said the FIFIB told UGC in Bordeaux in November 2025 that it would stop working with the chain.
Canal+ acquired a 34% stake in UGC’s parent group, with an option to take full control in 2028.
Pauline Reiffers said the FIFIB told UGC in Bordeaux it would end their collaboration.
The FIFIB’s founders signed the “Zapper Bolloré” opinion piece.
The fifteenth edition of the FIFIB is scheduled to take place.
UGC’s The Big Screen is scheduled to run at three cinemas in Bordeaux.
- UGC event
- The Big Screen
- UGC event dates
- 2 to 8 November
- FIFIB dates
- 2 to 7 November
- UGC cinemas
- Gambetta, Bassins à flot and Talence
- Partnership length
- 13 years
- Canal+ stake
- 34% of UGC’s parent group
What people are saying
Dès novembre 2025, nous avons prévenu UGC à Bordeaux que nous arrêterons de travailler ensemble
Sources
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