The 15th Annual Cinema on the Bayou is set to take place in Acadiana from January 22 to January 29.
The international juried film festival will screen nearly 200 films at venues in Lafayette and Opelousas. The 2020 lineup includes 40 feature length narrative fiction and documentary films and 148 short films. The majority of films are World, International, or U.S. Premieres from across the US and Canada, as well as from France, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain, and many other countries.
The festival will also include panel discussions, music, and nightly socials with directors, producers, and actors from across the world.
Founder of Cinema on the Bayou Pat Mire explained, "They get to meet these people, there's other filmmakers here that came in early. Cinema on the Bayou is going to have a great run this year. The films are top-notch; we have strong stuff going on."
Opening night was Wednesday, January 22, with a red carpet world premiere screening of When We Kill the Creators at the Vermilionville Performance Center in Lafayette. The filmmaker and star of the film were in attendance at the premiere.
The narrative feature film tells the story of a singer's improbable journey to reach her dreams and the price she pays to do so.
The festival will close on January 28 with the International Premiere of Pour Mieux T'aimer (To Better Love You), directed by Acadie filmmakers Denise Bouchard and Giles Doiron. The film tells the story of a family whose mother disappeared 30 years earlier without a trace.
Films will also be screened throughout the festival at Cité des Arts in Downtown Lafayette as well as Sunday, January 26 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts.
Some films are in competition to win the festival's "goujon caille" award, created by local artists Pat and André Juneau.
Tickets for all festival screenings are available for purchase through Eventbrite.
For a full description of films, a full schedule of screenings, and other information, visit www.cinemaonthebayou.com.
