Reims Polar, International Thriller Film Festival 2027 – France

What to expect in 2027

Reims Polar, International Thriller Film Festival is dedicated to contemporary crime cinema, film noir, detective stories, thrillers and the broader world of the polar genre. Based in Reims, the festival brings together international films, filmmakers, actors, juries, critics and audiences around a programme that examines crime cinema from different countries and cinematic traditions.

The festival describes itself as an international mapping of contemporary film noir. Its programme traditionally combines competitive films with discoveries, premieres, retrospectives, tributes, meetings and professional activities. The festival’s history also connects it with major names from crime and thriller cinema, while its current format provides a platform for both established filmmakers and new voices.

The upcoming edition is confirmed for Reims and will continue the festival’s established focus on international thriller and crime filmmaking. The full film selection, guest programme and detailed timetable have not yet been released, so individual 2027 film titles and guests should not be treated as confirmed until they appear on the official festival website.

The festival is particularly suited to visitors who enjoy suspense, investigation, mystery, crime dramas, psychological thrillers and film noir. Alongside screenings, audiences can traditionally encounter directors, actors, critics, writers and specialists through discussions and other events.

Festival dates

March 30 – April 4, 2027

The official Reims Polar practical-information page confirms the festival dates and identifies the Opéraims in central Reims as the festival’s information, ticketing and principal cinema location. The same official page provides the current information on passes, individual tickets, professional and press accreditation, accessibility and visitor arrangements.

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Venues & festival locations

The festival is centred on the Opéraims cinema at 72 Place Drouet d’Erlon, 51100 Reims. Official festival material describes the Opéraims as an 11-screen cinema, giving Reims Polar substantial capacity for simultaneous screenings and different strands of the programme.

Opéraims – The principal festival venue and the location of the festival information desk and on-site ticket office. It is also the main location for the film programme, including competition screenings, special presentations and meetings connected with films.

Espace Harcourt – The Opéraims complex has also hosted public conversations, recordings and special festival discussions, providing a setting for events that go beyond conventional film screenings.

Odette – The festival has previously used this Reims venue for informal public meetings such as Odette Tea Times, conversations with cinema professionals and special activities.

Reims city centre – The festival’s wider programme has also extended beyond the cinema through public activities, cultural meetings and city-based events. These activities are designed to make the festival accessible to audiences who may want to experience the event without attending only film screenings.

Full programme

The complete 2027 programme has not yet been published. Reims Polar’s established programming structure, however, provides a clear picture of the types of activities associated with the festival.

The festival’s programme has included a main Competition devoted to international crime cinema, alongside the Sang Neuf section dedicated to new voices and distinctive films that renew the codes of the genre. Previous programmes have also included avant-premieres, tributes, special screenings and other thematic presentations.

The wider festival programme can include:

• International Competition
• Sang Neuf competition
• Avant-premieres
• Homages to major filmmakers
• Director and actor focuses
• Special screenings
• Meetings and conversations
• Cinema lessons and masterclasses
• Critics and industry discussions
• Police and crime-related discussions
• Public events around Reims
• Professional and press activities

The festival’s established programme is deliberately international, allowing audiences to compare different approaches to crime, investigation, suspense, violence, justice and social issues across national cinemas.

Featured films & premieres

The 2027 film selection has not yet been announced in full. Consequently, specific titles should not be presented as confirmed selections at this stage.

Avant-premieres are an important component of Reims Polar. Previous official programmes have presented films before their wider release and have frequently connected those screenings with appearances by directors or members of the film team. The festival’s official programme materials also identify films shown in the presence of filmmakers, allowing audiences to hear directly from the creators.

The Competition focuses on international crime cinema, while Sang Neuf provides another platform for distinctive and emerging approaches to the genre. The festival’s official description of Sang Neuf highlights feature films that are singular, forward-looking and willing to renew established genre conventions.

Visitors can therefore expect the final selection to cover different forms of crime cinema rather than a single definition of the thriller. Depending on the completed programme, this can encompass investigative stories, police dramas, psychological thrillers, noir narratives, international crime films and films that combine crime with other cinematic genres.

Directors, actors & guests

The complete 2027 guest list has not yet been announced. Reims Polar traditionally places filmmakers and performers at the centre of the festival experience, particularly when films are presented with their creative teams.

Previous editions have welcomed internationally recognised directors and actors as guests of honour or participants in festival events. The festival has also organised dedicated homages and focuses around individual filmmakers and performers, combining screenings with conversations, cinema lessons and public appearances.

The guest programme can include:

• Directors presenting their films
• Actors accompanying competition or premiere screenings
• Jury members
• Guest filmmakers receiving tributes
• Film critics
• Crime-fiction writers
• Cinema specialists
• Police and investigative professionals
• Industry representatives

A notable feature of Reims Polar is the connection between screenings and discussions. Rather than treating films as isolated cinema presentations, the festival frequently creates opportunities for audiences to hear about filmmaking, genre traditions and the subjects explored by the selected works.

Screening schedule

The detailed 2027 screening timetable has not yet been released.

Previous official schedules show that Reims Polar uses multiple cinema rooms at the Opéraims, allowing several programme sections to operate at the same time. A typical schedule can include Competition films, Sang Neuf titles, avant-premieres, retrospective or tribute screenings and special events in different rooms.

The published schedule normally identifies:

• Screening time
• Film title
• Programme section
• Cinema room
• Special presentation status
• Presence of a director or film team
• Special events connected with the screening

Visitors planning a full festival stay should compare the timetable carefully because screenings can overlap. Pass holders should also follow the official reservation procedure attached to their pass.

Ticket types & accreditation

The official practical-information page currently publishes the public ticket structure for the forthcoming festival.

Festival Pass: $68.13. The pass is nominative and valid for the festival’s public screenings. It is issued with a QR code that must be presented when entering the cinema.

Reduced Festival Pass: $45.42. The reduced rate applies to eligible groups including students, jobseekers, people under 25 and seniors. Proof of eligibility may be requested at the cinema entrance.

School rate: $22.71 per person for one day. This option is intended for school participation.

Single screening ticket: $11.36. Individual tickets can be purchased online or at the Opéraims ticket office according to the official practical-information page.

These dollar amounts are approximate conversions using the European Central Bank reference rate of $1.1355 per €1.

Professional and press accreditation is handled separately from public ticketing. The festival’s professional area provides information for people working in cinema and media.

Industry & professional access

Reims Polar has a dedicated professional and press dimension in addition to its public programme. The official website provides a Professional/Press Area for accreditation requests, festival resources and press materials.

Professional access is intended for people working within the audiovisual and media sectors. It provides a framework for professionals to follow the festival programme, attend relevant screenings and participate in meetings and activities intended for the industry.

The professional environment is particularly relevant for:

• Producers
• Directors
• Distributors
• Sales professionals
• Actors and representatives
• Journalists
• Film critics
• Programming professionals
• Other audiovisual-industry participants

Professional events can complement the public film programme with discussions about cinema, programming, distribution and the development of the crime-film genre.

Public ticket holders should note that a public pass or individual screening ticket does not automatically provide access to professional events. The festival’s published conditions distinguish public access from events reserved for professional accreditation holders.

Red carpet & special events

Reims Polar combines its film programme with ceremonies, tributes, public conversations and special events.

Opening and closing ceremonies have traditionally formed important parts of the festival experience. Special screenings may also be presented in the presence of directors or actors, creating opportunities for audiences to experience a film together with members of its creative team.

Tribute ceremonies are another recurring element. Previous official programming has included dedicated homages to major international filmmakers, accompanied by screenings of their work and public conversations.

The wider programme has also included public discussions and events in the city. Examples from previous programming include conversations with critics, discussions involving police professionals, film-related talks, public recordings and guided cultural activities connected with crime and justice themes.

Festival rules

Reims Polar operates under official ticketing conditions and festival rules covering admission, ticket use, identification, public access and behaviour.

Festival passes are nominative and are intended for the named holder. The official conditions state that a pass does not automatically guarantee entry to a particular screening when capacity is limited. Public events and professional events are also treated separately under the festival’s access conditions.

Pass identification: Pass holders may be required to provide valid identification matching the name attached to the pass.

Screening access: Entry remains subject to room capacity and the festival’s reservation or admission procedures.

Ticket validity: Individual tickets provide access to the specific screening for which they were issued.

Venue security: Festival attendees must follow the instructions of cinema, reception and security personnel.

Respectful conduct: Reims Polar has an official charter addressing harassment, discrimination, sexist behaviour, sexual violence and other forms of disrespect. The festival states that reporting and support procedures are available to participants and that the organisation is committed to maintaining a respectful and safe environment.

How to get there

Reims is well connected with the French national rail network, making train travel one of the principal ways to reach the city.

The Opéraims is centrally located at Place Drouet d’Erlon, making it convenient for visitors staying in the city centre. Reims can be reached from Paris and other French cities by high-speed and regional rail services.

By train: Arrive at Reims railway station and continue toward Place Drouet d’Erlon by walking, local transport or taxi.

By car: Reims is connected to France’s major motorway network, making it accessible from Paris and other cities in northern and eastern France.

By air: Visitors arriving internationally can use airports serving the Paris region and continue to Reims by train or road.

Once in Reims, the central location of the Opéraims means that visitors staying around the historic centre can reach the principal festival venue without relying heavily on a private vehicle.

Public transport & parking

The central location of the Opéraims makes public transport practical for visitors who are staying outside the immediate city centre.

Reims has an urban public transport network covering the city, while taxis and other local transport options can be used for journeys to and from accommodation.

For visitors travelling by car, it is useful to identify a public car park near the city centre before arriving rather than relying on street parking around the cinema. The festival’s principal venue is at 72 Place Drouet d’Erlon, where traffic and parking can be busy during major cultural events.

Visitors should also allow extra time for walking between parking facilities and the cinema. Staying near the central Reims area can reduce the need for a car during the festival.

Accommodation areas

The city centre is the most convenient area for visitors who want easy access to the Opéraims and the main festival atmosphere.

Drouet d’Erlon area: Staying around Place Drouet d’Erlon puts visitors close to the principal festival venue, restaurants, cafés and central pedestrian areas.

Reims Centre: Hotels around the central station and city centre provide convenient connections for visitors arriving by train and are generally well positioned for festival activities.

Historic centre: Accommodation around the cathedral and central cultural attractions can be useful for visitors who want to combine Reims Polar with sightseeing.

Station area: The area around Reims railway station offers practical access for visitors arriving by train, while remaining within convenient reach of the city centre.

For a multi-day festival visit, accommodation within walking distance of the Opéraims can make it easier to attend several screenings without repeatedly using taxis or public transport.

Food & dining

Reims offers a broad range of restaurants, cafés, bakeries and bars, particularly around the city centre and Place Drouet d’Erlon.

The central location of the Opéraims makes it easy to combine screenings with meals. Visitors attending several films should consider allowing enough time between sessions because the festival schedule can include consecutive screenings in different cinema rooms.

The city is also internationally associated with Champagne, although Reims Polar itself remains principally a cinema event. Visitors can combine their festival trip with local food experiences and the city’s wider cultural attractions.

For quick meals between screenings, the central pedestrian areas around Drouet d’Erlon provide convenient options. For longer meals, visitors can explore restaurants in the historic centre and surrounding streets.

Accessibility

The official Reims Polar practical-information page states that the festival is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The principal festival location, Opéraims, is therefore the key venue for visitors requiring accessible arrangements.

Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact the festival or cinema team before attending so that they can confirm the most suitable entrance, seating and access arrangements.

The central location also makes it possible to plan accommodation and transport around accessibility needs. Choosing a hotel close to the Opéraims can reduce the amount of travel required between screenings.

Because individual cinema rooms can have different layouts, visitors who require a particular seating arrangement should confirm the available facilities directly rather than assuming that every auditorium has identical accessibility features.

Best screenings to attend

The final 2027 selection is not yet available, so individual film titles cannot currently be identified as confirmed choices.

Competition screenings: These form the core of the festival and provide an opportunity to discover international crime and thriller films competing for the festival’s principal awards.

Sang Neuf: This section is designed around new voices and distinctive approaches to crime cinema, making it particularly relevant for visitors interested in filmmakers who are developing new interpretations of the genre.

Avant-premieres: These screenings offer the opportunity to see selected films before their broader release and may include appearances by members of the film team.

Homages: Tribute programmes provide a concentrated way to explore the work of an established filmmaker through several screenings and associated events.

Public conversations: Meetings with directors, actors, critics, writers and specialists can add context to the films and are useful for visitors who want more than conventional screenings.

Special city events: Reims Polar has previously organised free public activities beyond the main cinema programme, allowing visitors to experience the festival through discussions, workshops and cultural events.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition brought together an international competition, the Sang Neuf section, avant-premieres, tributes, special screenings and public events.

The official festival results included the Grand Prize for Disaster by Yutaro Seki and Kentaro Hirase, the Jury Prize for Winter of the Crow by Kasia Adamik, the New Blood Award for Father Tereza by Nvocová, and the Audience Award for Red Code Blue by Oskars Rupenheits.

The programme also featured a tribute to Gus Van Sant and a focus on Damien Bonnard. The festival’s official archive identifies these as separate parts of the programme alongside the main Competition and Sang Neuf sections.

Public programming extended beyond conventional screenings. Reims Polar’s city programme included free conversations, special cinema-related activities, public recordings, professional discussions and a crime-themed guided visit organised with Reims tourism services.

The previous programme therefore demonstrated the festival’s combination of international film discovery, filmmaker encounters, genre retrospectives, public discussions and activities throughout the city.

Official tickets & accreditation

The official Reims Polar website is the main source for public ticket sales, Festival Pass information, screening reservations, professional accreditation and programme announcements.

The Festival Pass currently published by the festival costs $68.13 at the full rate and $45.42 at the reduced rate. It is nominative and carries a QR code used for access to screenings. Individual screening tickets are listed at $11.36, while the published school rate is $22.71 per person for one day. These dollar figures are approximate conversions from the festival’s published rates using the ECB reference exchange rate.

The official practical-information page also confirms that press and professional accreditation is handled separately from public ticketing. Professional visitors should use the accreditation section of the official website rather than purchasing an ordinary public pass for professional access.

The festival’s official contact information includes info@reimspolar.fr, while the current practical-information page also provides operational contact information for festival enquiries. Visitors should rely on the official website for the final programme, screening reservations, accreditation procedure and any updates to access arrangements.