The Festival originated in 1982 when it was organised by the Ministry for the Environment and was called RIENA (International Nature and Environment Meeting).

Initially held in the provinces, the Festival moved to the ÃŽle-de-France region in 1992 to widen its audience. Its organisation was handed to ARENE (the regional agency for the environment and new energies), part of whose remit is to inform and raise public awareness of the environment.

At first sponsor of the event, the Regional Council took full charge of it in 2001.

Being recently and very highly involved in films and the environment, the Council intensified the Festival in 2003 by giving it a broader and truly international scope and subsequently linked the event to the concept of eco-region, the underlying theme of Regional Council action since 2004.

The Festival’s purpose is to bring together films, audiovisual media and the environment. Its mission is to inform and raise public awareness of eco-citizenship in our eco-region through screenings, meetings, events and debates.

Programming has become more selective over the last few years with a broader focus on international productions and a preference for new releases, documentaries, fiction and short films.

The Festival has opened beyond strictly environmental themes to address subjects more widely related to sustainable, supportive development.

The programme now covers the following themes: nature conservation, the fight against hazards and pollution, reasoned management of resources, air quality, the greenhouse effect, transport, energy, quality in agriculture, health and the environment, the urban environment, quality of housing, employment, solidarity and fighting poverty, participatory democracy, governance, tradition and modernity, north-south, east-west relations, migratory movement and integration, evolution of the Earth, etc.

Emboldened by its success, enriched by growing public interest in its themes and the support of players working in the environment, the film industry, audiovisual media and non-profit organisations, the Festival is celebrating its 29th anniversary this year with a programme that is even richer, more wonderful and innovative than ever.