FIPADOC 2027 – International Documentary Film Festival in Biarritz

Welcome to the FIPADOC 2027 in Biarritz

FIPADOC 2027 runs from 22 to 30 January 2027 in Biarritz and, as its 9th edition, traditionally opens the year of major international documentary festivals. Across several venues in the city – including the Casino Municipal, Bellevue and Gare du Midi – the festival presents around 180 documentary works in every format: short and feature films, series and immersive XR experiences. Audiences and industry guests meet for screenings, Q&As with filmmakers, masterclasses and professional sessions.

Highlights & Attractions at FIPADOC in Biarritz

• International documentary festival with competitive and non-competitive strands: national and international documentaries, music docs, impact films, Francophone panorama and further sections.
• Smart Biarritz Immersive: a dedicated selection of French and international XR, VR and interactive documentary works, traditionally hosted at Bellevue.
• FIPADOC Pro: industry days with pitch sessions, workshops, round tables and a coproduction forum for filmmakers and decision-makers from France and Europe.
• 2027 focus on documentary production from the Black Sea region: Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia.
• Meetings with creative teams, debates and masterclasses at venues across Biarritz, with selected screenings also in nearby Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
• Campus programme for young audiences and emerging talent, with dedicated screenings and educational activities.
• Main sites: Casino Municipal (1 Avenue Édouard VII), Bellevue (Place Bellevue), Gare du Midi (23 Avenue du Maréchal Foch), Le Royal and Le Colisée.

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2027

From 22 to 30 January 2027, screenings take place in several theatres in Biarritz. The detailed 2027 daily schedule will be published closer to the event on the official website. In previous editions, screenings typically ran from late morning or afternoon into the evening; the immersive programme at Bellevue was usually available during daytime hours. Opening and closing ceremonies are usually held at the Casino Municipal or another main auditorium.

Alongside the public film programme, FIPADOC Pro (industry days with pitches and conferences, generally mid-week) and Smart Biarritz Immersive cover digital and XR formats. Many screenings are followed by conversations with the film teams. An online booking system for pass and accreditation holders has secured seats in past years; without a reservation, entry depends on remaining capacity.

Tickets & Admission for FIPADOC Biarritz

Ticket prices for FIPADOC 2027 have not been published yet. For orientation, the 2026 structure (all figures in euro) was: Festival Pass 60 euro (reduced 30 euro for under-26s, people with disabilities and jobseekers), Weekend Pass 25 euro, Day Pass 15 euro, single screening ticket 8 euro (reduced 4 euro). Passes are personal and non-transferable; the Festival Pass covers all screenings subject to availability. Sales run through the official website; on site in previous years, the tourist office, an info desk at Gare du Midi and venue box offices also sold tickets. Professional accreditations are issued separately by the festival. Always check current 2027 prices and sale windows on fipadoc.com only.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Biarritz

• Getting there: Biarritz is well connected by TGV and regional trains (about 4 hours from Paris Montparnasse, about 2 hours from Bordeaux). Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport is roughly 3 km from the centre; alternatives include San Sebastián (about 30 minutes) and Pau (about 1 hour 15 minutes). Most venues are central and walkable or reachable by local transport.
• Weather and clothing: Late January on the Basque coast is often cool, windy and damp. Daytime temperatures typically sit in the single digits to low teens Celsius. Pack warm layers, a windproof jacket and sturdy shoes.
• Where to stay: Hotels and apartments in Biarritz fill up in January – book early. Festival partner hotels in past years were clustered near the Grande Plage and Place Bellevue; Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz offer further options.
• On site: Programme and interactive venue map appear on the festival website. Reservations for pass and accreditation holders are useful for popular screenings; without a booking, join the relevant queue early. Immersive experiences at Bellevue often require a separate on-site registration.
• Practical notes: Several halls (Casino Municipal, Bellevue, Gare du Midi, Le Royal, Le Colisée) plus occasional screenings in Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz – allow time between venues. The newsletter and official website keep lineup, pass sales and the Pro programme for 2027 up to date.