Friday, April 17, 2026, 7 PM at the Majestic Passy (Dulac Cinémas)
The Festival International des Jeunes Acteurs (International Festival of Young Actors) opens its third edition on a note of singular cinema and human encounters. The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 7 PM at the Majestic Passy, one of the flagship venues of the Dulac Cinémas network, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. The jury of each competition will be in attendance, alongside the team behind the opening film. A cocktail reception reserved for FIJA accredited guests will close the evening.
The Opening Film: Morlaix, by Jaime Rosales
Morlaix is released in theatres on April 15, 2026 — just two days before its opening screening at FIJA — making this evening a cinematic event in its own right.
Shaken by the recent death of her mother, young Gwen finds comfort in her friends and her boyfriend Thomas. But the arrival of Jean-Luc, a student of magnetic charm, throws her into emotional confusion. One day, as if to illuminate her choice, Gwen stumbles upon a film at a cinema that reveals her future life to her.
An Experimental Cinematic Object
Morlaix is the first feature film shot in French by Jaime Rosales. The screenplay, co-written with Fanny Burdino, is set in Brittany and explores the birth of a bond between two young people confronted with loss, solitude, and the passage into adulthood.
The constant shift between different worlds is the film’s most striking feature. It had its world premiere in the Harbour section of the Rotterdam Film Festival. Blending black-and-white images with colour sequences, with cinematography by Javier Ruiz Gomez, Morlaix is, in the director’s own words, “the freest and most experimental film he has made to date.”
In the very particular conditions of its making, Rosales surrendered to a genuine artistic adventure “guided by inspiration,” with no pre-established plan and no certainty that a film would emerge at the end. The result is a sentimental and melancholic tale, stretched between adolescence and adulthood, between choice and destiny — a film within a film, in which cinema itself becomes a character.
The Cast and Crew
The cast brings together Aminthe Audiard in the lead role, alongside Samuel Kircher, Mélanie Thierry, and Àlex Brendemühl. Cinematography is by Javier Ruiz Gomez. Morlaix is produced by Iwaso Films and distributed in France by Condor Distribution.
The Director: Jaime Rosales
After studying economics and screenwriting for film and television, Jaime Rosales received a grant in 1996 to study directing at the film school of San Antonio de los Baños in Cuba. In 2001, he founded the production company Fresdeval Films. His filmography — La Soledad (2007), Petra (2018), Wild Sunflowers (2022) — has established him as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Spanish cinema. The project was born during a promotional trip for Petra: the director recounts having felt “a deep and concrete desire to make a film” in this Breton city of striking geography, despite having no biographical connection to it.
The Juries of the 3rd Edition
Feature Film Jury
The feature film competition jury brings together nine personalities with complementary backgrounds, from established figures of auteur cinema to actors at the crossroads of popular and demanding art.
Jean-Christophe Bouvet An actor and screenwriter with a prolific career, he has collaborated with major directors including Claude Chabrol, François Ozon, Maurice Pialat, André Téchiné, Jean-Luc Godard, and Sofia Coppola, bringing a subtle and reflective performance style to each role. He currently appears in the hit series Emily in Paris (Netflix), playing Pierre Cadault.
Cyrille Thouvenin Discovered through the film Confusion of Genders, which earned him a César nomination for Most Promising Actor, Cyrille Thouvenin has built a rich career across film, television, and theatre. A demanding performer, he excels in historical dramas and contemporary works alike, bringing a magnetic presence to every role.
Mehdi Meskar A multilingual actor with an international career spanning major productions and auteur cinema. Discovered through Les Engagés and noted for his work in Orpheline by Arnaud des Pallières and A Bear in the Jura by Franck Dubosc, he brings intensity and singular sensitivity to complex characters.
Anne-Élisabeth Blateau A prominent actress and playwright, Anne-Élisabeth Blateau became a familiar face to the general public through her role as Emma in the series Scènes de ménages. With a background in theatre, she displays a distinctive comedic talent that she also channels into writing and directing, most notably with her series Mère indigne.
David Mora An actor of immediate warmth and charm, David Mora has made his mark on television through the iconic duo he forms in Scènes de ménages. Drawing on solid stage experience and work in short films, he moves with ease between popular comedy and more personal film projects.
Esther Rollande A young actress on an upward trajectory, Esther Rollande is noted for the precision and sensitivity of her work. She has taken on a series of promising projects, most notably a standout role in the film La Pampa, cementing her status as a breakout talent of new French cinema.
Firmine Richard An iconic figure of French cinema, Firmine Richard first came to prominence in Coline Serreau’s Romuald et Juliette before shining in François Ozon’s 8 Women. A Knight of the Légion d’honneur, her deep voice and warm presence have made her a respected actress, committed both on screen and on stage to a fairer representation of diversity.
Lola Le Lann Daughter of trumpeter Éric Le Lann and actress-director Valérie Stroh, Lola Le Lann made her breakthrough at just 19 in Jean-François Richet’s A Summer’s Tale, immediately asserting a modern screen presence. A complete artist, she balances an acting career in film and television with a flourishing musical life, projecting a bold and melancholic artistic world.
Dominique Pinon A favourite actor of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and a landmark figure of genre cinema, Dominique Pinon is instantly recognisable, having first come to attention in The Return of Martin Guerre before his defining collaborations with Jeunet in Delicatessen, The City of Lost Children, Alien: Resurrection, and Amélie. Winner of the Molière Award for Best Actor in 2004, he enjoys a prolific international career, moving with ease from the strange to the tragic.
Short Film Jury
Théo Fernandez — Jury President Born in Toulouse in 1998, Théo Fernandez began acting classes at the age of six. He came to public attention with his role as Donald Tuche in Les Tuche, and is also committed to passing on his craft through the co-founding of the acting school anyone:, a FIJA partner.
Octave Gerbi A young actor of promising talent, Octave Gerbi stands out for his natural and radiant on-screen presence. He has accumulated a series of significant film and television experiences, establishing himself as one of the faces to watch on the new French scene.
Gavril Dartevelle Noted for his precision and intensity, Gavril Dartevelle came to prominence in powerful works such as Happening and the series Germinal. His singular charisma and ability to inhabit complex characters have made him an increasingly sought-after presence in auteur cinema.
Kahina Lespert Rolland A passionate and versatile actress, Kahina Lespert Rolland is building a demanding career across film and audiovisual projects. Her great sensitivity and remarkable energy bring authenticity to each of her roles, confirming her rise within her generation.
Ferdinand Redouloux An actor of instinctive and precise craft, Ferdinand Redouloux demonstrates a remarkable ability to move across different registers. Whether in dramas or contemporary narratives, he brings a strong and promising acting signature, actively contributing to the renewal of the French cinematic landscape.
Pass Culture Jury
Dominique Frot — Jury President A singular and essential figure of the French artistic scene, Dominique Frot is an actress and theatre director with an impressive career spanning more than 100 films and countless stage productions, in collaboration with the greatest artists of her time. She presides over the Pass Culture jury — dedicated to film school works — with the commitment that defines her entire body of work.
See You on April 17
The 3rd edition of the Festival International des Jeunes Acteurs runs from April 17 to 24, 2026, in Paris. The opening ceremony is reserved for accredited guests. Short film screenings will take place at the Centre Anim de la Jonquière (88 rue de la Jonquière, 75017) from April 20 onwards, and professional masterclasses at the Quartier Jeune (4 Place du Louvre, 75001).