The inaugural Dora Maar Film Festival is set to enchant film lovers in the picturesque town of Ménerbes, Provence, showcasing a selection of compelling documentaries.
Inaugural Dora Maar Film Festival in Ménerbes, Provence
A new arts-focused documentary film festival is set to launch in Ménerbes, a Provençal town renowned as one of the most magical villages in France.
Festival Details
The inaugural edition of the Dora Maar Film Festival, taking place from August 29-31, will feature six documentaries centered on photography and photographers. Notable films include Capturing Lee Miller, directed by Teresa Griffiths, and Ernest Cole: Lost & Found, directed by Oscar nominee Raoul Peck. Scroll down for the complete program.
Co-Founders and Vision
Co-founded by Lucy Darwin (producer of Match Point and Lost in La Mancha) and Natasha Bahtia, the festival is in collaboration with the Dora Maar Cultural Center. The festival honors Dora Maar (1907-1997), a surrealist artist and photographer who resided in Ménerbes for many years. The Cultural Center is located in the historic Maison Dora Maar, an 18th-century town house purchased by Maar in 1944.
“Our hope is that this festival becomes a special gathering place for filmmakers and film lovers alike,” said Darwin and Bahtia. “Small film festivals possess a unique magic—intimate spaces where meaningful connections happen.” They expressed pride that every film in the inaugural edition will be represented by someone involved in its creation, including directors, an editor, and a historian.
Venue Highlights
Director of the Dora Maar Cultural Center, Gwen Strauss, emphasized the festival’s aim of connecting people with artists and their stories. The festival will be held in stunning venues, including the Hôtel de Tingry, where afternoon talks will occur in a beautiful library and art-filled salon. Evening screenings will take place outdoors at Le Domaine du Fortin, offering breathtaking views over the Luberon mountains.
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Future Editions
Future editions of the Dora Maar Film Festival will explore various artistic disciplines each year, diving into music, fine art, performance art, fashion, literature, architecture, poetry, dance, design, and the culinary arts.
Notable Films
In 2025, the festival will feature the French premiere of WAR PAINT – WOMEN AT WAR, highlighting the role of women war artists. Other films include CAPTURING LEE MILLER, SABINE WEISS: ONE CENTURY OF PHOTOGRAPHY, DORA MAAR: BETWEEN LIGHT & SHADE, I AM MARTIN PARR, and ERNEST COLE: LOST & FOUND, which won the best documentary prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Afternoon talks will be hosted at the elegant Hôtel de Tingry, while films will be screened under the stars at the magnificent Le Domaine du Fortin, featuring a lineup of filmmakers, art historians, curators, and critics participating in discussions throughout the weekend.
