In 1978 The Bibliothèque publique d’information, with the support of the Centre for Scientific Research and The Ethnographic Film Committee, set up in the Centre Pompidou Cinema du Reel, International Ethnographical and Sociological Film Festival. It’s aim is to promote documentary cinema.

The Festival is not looking for reportages, news programmes or journalistic-style documentaries. It gives priority to cinematographic writing and approaches, whatever the subject, genre or form.

Can participate in the festival; the films that have never broadcasted by one of the French television channels, nor had a French theatrical release, nor screened at a French film festival.

The Festival offers several cash prizes worth 2.500 - 8.000 euro