It's an easy play on words, but it accurately describes the spirit of Viveg: a cinema on an island, Isle Groix (56), four nautical miles off the coast of Lorient. With its full name, the Groix Island International Film Festival was created in 2001 by film-enthusiast Groisillons. “Their goal: to facilitate meetings and exchanges, through a unifying event, by giving a voice to islanders from all over the world,” say organizers. On this piece of land, where art holds a special place, the formula takes hold, and years later, despite the difficulties, the festival celebrates its twenty-third edition. The celebrations will take place from Wednesday 21 August to Sunday 25 August 2024. The opening concert with the Celtic Circle Barde Bleimor de Groix will take place on Wednesday at 6pm.
2 Portuguese islands
Every year, Vivej celebrates the islands, depending on the geographical region. Celtic's Scottish cousins of last year leave their place in this edition to the Portuguese. The opportunity to celebrate a shared history dating back several decades: that of the Gruicillons from Portugal, who arrived in the 1960s and whose many descendants still live on the island. Throughout the event, festival-goers will be able to watch films shot on the Lusitania Islands such as Madeira or the Azores, but not only that: Viveg highlights islands from all over the world, from the Antilles to the Pacific via the Mediterranean and the Ocean Islands. The quiet one. North Pole. Real world tour.
3 Party in Port Leigh
It is the wrong name. The historic site of Fifig, the small port of Port-Lay, is the pearl of the island of Groix. Located deep in the cliffs, this port is often considered one of the smallest European ports. With its fishing boats and whitewashed house dominating the pier, here the exits from dark rooms are unparalleled. In addition to cinema, many activities are also organized in Port Leigh throughout the festival. Library, exhibition, workshops, musical performances… Viveg is not just about cinema, and the party will be in full swing. On Saturday evening, DJ Gilbert Princesse will mix funk, reggaeton, African rhythms and hip-hop sounds, until late into the night.
4 competition
Whoever says film festival says film competition. The Fifig is no exception to the rule. Nine feature-length documentaries will compete for the Ile d'Or Prize
Last year he directed Jean-Marc Lacaze's “Malavoune Tango”. The jury will also award the Lucien Kimititi Prize, which will reward the most humane film. The third documentary will be awarded by audience vote. The short documentary and short narrative film awards will be awarded by the festival's young jury, made up of middle school students from Groix and Belle-Île-en-Mer.
