Insider's guide to Les Arcs Film Festival 2018

More than 120 exclusive screenings will be happening in venues spanning the various Les Arcs resorts. There will be international premieres, the best short films of the year, bold artistic cinema and special screenings whisking you far away from the snowy Alpine slopes to Patagonia and/or Tibet. The schedule also contains a number of "playtime” movies, from popular genres like comedy, action films and historical dramas. There is something for everyone; whether you like a good old-fashioned romance, an animated heist movie where the protagonist is trying to get his hands on both priceless artworks and precious piece-of-mind, or a retrospective of a real-life social experiment involving eleven unwitting test subjects, a raft and the vast Atlantic ocean... This year the Film Festival has a particular focus on Poland, teaming up with the Polish Film Institute to show a dozen films from new talents as well as prominent industry professionals.

The serious part of the Film Festival is the official competition where ten European feature films compete for the coveted (and very shiny) Crystal Arrow award. The jury this year is presided over by Swedish director and screenwriter, Ruben Östlund, best known for his comedy-drama ski film Force Majeure and museum-based satire The Square. Prizes are also available for Best Short Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Score and Best Cinematography amongst other things. Les Arcs has always supported the work of women in film and, in addition to hosting three Femmes de Cinéma workshops, there will be a specific 'Woman of Cinema' prize presented to a filmmaker who has made a positive, visible and significant contribution to her industry.

Prices range from a €7 (full adult price) single screening ticket to €62 (full adult price) for a 'Club Pass' where you can reserve seats for all the screenings you wish to see during the week. Advance ticket discounts are available and pass holders are offered special deals or free coffee (to ensure the combination of skiing and partying does not lead to mid-screening naptime) in some participating shops and restaurants.

Free shuttle buses connect each of the Les Arcs resorts, meaning you can maximise your viewing pleasure even after the ski lifts are closed. The funicular connecting Bourg Saint Maurice to Arc 1600 operates at least every 20 minutes, all day long. When you are not busy watching films, you can hit the pistes. Grab your skis or snowboard, get a reduced-price, early-season ski pass and fill those difficult inter-movie moments shredding snow like an industry pro. There is even a (increasingly prestigious) skiing competition for film experts whose key grip is just as likely to be around a ski baton handle.

There are film venues in every Les Arcs resort so, no matter where you choose to stay or ski, you’ll be able to get involved and join the party.

Arc 1600, the 1968 birthplace of Les Arcs skiing, is home to La Coupole which will honour local filmmakers with screenings every evening. Arc 1600 has a host of restaurants (including the participating Le Panoramic), tons of accommodation (such as the new Club Med complex) and a quick, direct funicular link to Bourg St Maurice.

Arc 1800 will host the feature films competing for the main festival prizes in the 600-seater cinema at Centre Bernard Taillefer. The smaller, 120-seat theatre at L’Hotel du Golf will also have a programme of public screenings. Arc 1800 is the largest resort on the mountain and is well equipped with an abundance of accommodation and restaurants. Furthermore, there are plenty of bars (Giovanni’s Pub offering Happy Hour for festival goers from 23:00 to 02:00!) and clubs to keep the post-picture party going long into the night.

Arc 1950 looks like an Alpine film set, so was naturally chosen to accommodate the official film-fest guests, as well as a wide selection of industry events. This is the professional heart of the movie mountainscape and “the place to be” if you want to rub shoulders with celebrities and enjoy the festive atmosphere with DJ sets and concerts.

In Arc 2000, the 200-capacity, aptly named Salle des Festivals has screenings for the public as well as the professional 'Summit' and school events. Here, festival-goers can enjoy free aperitif, special menus at the resort restaurants (including those at the very luxurious Taj-i-Mah Hotel) and almost instant access to high-altitude skiing. Connected to the 'Industry Village' at Arc 1950 via the free Cabriolet lift, this is a great location for skiing, screenings and all-important schmoozing.

Whilst The Igloo is not strictly a resort, it is a venue. Located at 2,200 metres, in the Arc 2000 “bowl,” it provides the most unusual cinema experience on the hill. This elaborately sculpted ice bar is renowned throughout the winter for its party atmosphere, cocktails and themed grottos. However, during the Film Festival, there will also be short film programmes, projected directly onto its snow-packed walls.

Last but not least, the valley town of Bourg St Maurice is home to the Coeur d’Or (a three-screen cinema) and La Scène (another 280-seat venue) where public screenings will take place every day. Access by road is 20 to 40 minutes from all the Les Arcs resorts although Arc 1600 is directly connected by the quick, easy and scenic funicular with bonus views along the Tarentaise Valley. Whilst visiting the cinemas, why not enjoy one of a plethora of fantastic restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Bourg St Maurice is also particularly handy if you are coming in via the Eurostar, as this charming town is literally the end of the line.

Read more from our Les Arcs reporter Sam on his blog.​

There's no need to bring your heavy gear to resort during your ski & cinema holiday. Take a look at the best ski hire shops in Les Arcs and book your equipment in advance.