In Lyon, an old film gets a new evening

France · Cinema

A film from 1927 with an orchestra in the auditorium, a night of four Coen brothers films, or a restoration you have never seen on a big screen: Festival Lumière turns film history into a programme to choose from. From 10 to 18 October 2026, Lyon and its surrounding metropolitan area host almost 450 screenings. Joel and Ethan Coen receive this year’s Prix Lumière for their body of work.

That gives the edition a recognisable centre, but the festival extends beyond the award. Its different parts invite different ways of watching. You can compare four films by the same makers, choose a single restoration or consider what live music does to a silent film.

Four Coen films in one night

On Saturday 17 October, the Halle Tony Garnier hosts the Coen marathon. The programme runs through Fargo from 1996, No Country for Old Men from 2007, Raising Arizona from 1987 and Burn After Reading from 2008, in that order.

The Prix Lumière honours a complete body of work. Previous recipients include Martin Scorsese, Jane Campion and Wim Wenders. The programme connects the award with several occasions involving the filmmakers: a meeting in the theatre, the award evening and screenings of their films.

If you prefer to choose one film, there is the closing screening. On Sunday 18 October at 3pm, the same venue screens The Big Lebowski from 1998. A meeting with the brothers is also scheduled at the Théâtre des Célestins on Friday 16 October at 3pm. Admission is free, but booking had not yet opened on 5 October.

Restorations beyond the most familiar names

The restoration programme offers another route through film history. Claude Lelouch’s Un homme et une femme from 1966 returns to the screen sixty years after its original year. Lumière also programmes the Cameroonian film Pousse-pousse by Daniel Kamwa from 1976 and Osmanthus Alley by Kun-hou Chen from 1987.

The festival describes Osmanthus Alley as the first Chen Kun-hou film to be released in French cinemas. That French release was on 29 May 1991; the 2026 edition brings the restored film back.

Listening to Metropolis

On Thursday 15 October at 8pm, Metropolis is scheduled at the Auditorium in Lyon, with the Orchestre national de Lyon conducted by Don Davis. At a film concert, you watch the images while hearing musicians perform in the room at that very moment.

The programme also offers It by Clarence G. Badger. That screening takes place on Saturday 17 October at 6pm, with Gabriele Agrimonti on the organ. Two different musical line-ups provide two different opportunities to experience music as part of a film evening.

The screening determines the ticket

A regular screening costs €8.50; accredited visitors pay €6.50 and children under fourteen €5. Special events have their own prices. The Coen night costs €25, or €20 with accreditation. The orchestral film concert for Metropolis costs €25, or €22 with accreditation.

The festival village is at 4, Grand Cloître du Grand Hôtel-Dieu, in Lyon 2, from 10 to 18 October. Among other things, you can find tickets and information there. Check availability for your chosen event in advance: booking for the award ceremony was suspended on 5 October.

Source information dated 4 and 5 October 2026. Festival Lumière provides the programme, restoration information and current ticket conditions.