The 8th edition of the “Sud de sciences” festival, December 2–7, 2025: experience science in a whole new way in Montpellier
The University of Montpellier, the Faculty of Sciences, the four partner organizations (CIRAD, INRAE, INSERM, IRD), the Center for Scientific and Technical Imagination (CIST), the City of Montpellier, the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole library network, and Arte Campus are joining forces to organize the8th edition of the “Sud de sciences” festival. This annual event, dedicated to science films, embodies a shared ambition: to strengthen the dialogue between science and society by offering free screenings of recent documentaries to as many people as possible, followed by discussions with researchers and filmmakers. The 2025 edition features a rich and diverse program, taking place at several media libraries across the metropolitan area (Castries, Castelnau-le-Lez, Clapiers, Montpellier) as well as at the Nestor Burma cinema.
Once again this year, the festival is supported by the University of Montpellier’s “Science with and for Society” (SAPS) initiative. As part of this initiative, we remain committed to making scientific culture increasingly accessible. Special attention will be given to ensuring the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals during the event on Thursday, December 4.
“Sud de sciences” 2025: A program for understanding, questioning, and debating
This new edition explores major scientific issues: accelerated glacier melt, the Anthropocene, the ubiquity of screens, sustainable food systems, biodiversity, living soils, innovative fish farming in the Amazon, and geological mysteries in the Mediterranean. Running through it all is a key theme: the fight against misinformation, which will be addressed during a special event for professionals, students, and the general public.
SCREENINGS & DISCUSSIONS:
- Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Albert Camus Media Center (Clapiers)
“Arctic Glaciers: A Current Assessment” by Pierre Dugowson, 2025 – 52 min
Glaciologist Heïdi Sevestre travels across the glaciers of Svalbard to assess the state of a global phenomenon: the rapid melting of ice.
Speaker: Frédéric Bouchette, University Professor, Montpellier Geosciences.
- Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Emile Zola Media Library (Montpellier)
“Anthropocene: The Relentless Investigation” by Cédric Defert, 2024 – 58 min
A scientific exploration of the evidence that could mark humanity’s entry into a new geological era.
Speakers: Cédric Defert, filmmaker; Mary Robles, PhD in paleoecology and paleoclimatology (ISEM – UM); and Ludovic Dolez, PhD in archaeology and paleoenvironmental studies (UM). Accessible screening: adapted subtitles + French Sign Language interpretation.
- Friday, December 5, at 6 p.m. at the Françoise Giroud Media Library (Castries)
“What If We Looked Up? A Class Staring at Screens” by Gilles Vernet, 2024 – 53 min
A teacher and his students are questioning the role of screens, going so far as to try going screen-free for ten days.
Speakers: Gilles Vernet & Diane Purper-Ouakil (Montpellier University Hospital).
- Friday, December 5, at 8:30 p.m. at the Françoise Giroud Media Library (Castries)
“The World of Springtails: The Secret Life of the Soil” by Philippe Lebeaux, 2023 – 52 min
A spectacular discovery of microscopic life in the soil.
Speaker: Jérôme Cortet, University Professor (CEFE – Montpellier).
- Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. at the Aimé Césaire Media Library (Castelnau-le-Lez)
“The Fox Who Saved His Island” by Emma Baus, 2025 – 52 min
The incredible story of the Santa Cruz island gray fox, which has recovered from near extinction.
Speakers: Emma Baus & Marianne Dupré-Gabirot (University of Montpellier).
- Saturday, December 6, at 3:00 p.m. at the Aimé Césaire Media Library (Castelnau-le-Lez)
“What’s for Dinner? Ideas for Eating Better Tomorrow” by Bertrand Delapierre, 2025 – 90 min
Practical ways to reduce the environmental impact of our diet.
Speaker: Caroline Méjean, Research Director (INRAE – MOISA).
- Saturday, December 6, at 5 p.m. at the Emile Zola Media Library (Montpellier)
“Sustainable Fish Farming in the Amazon” byAna Castañeda, 2025 – 20 min
Fish farmers are developing an innovative industry that uses organic waste converted into fish feed.
Speaker: Michel Sauvain, Emeritus Research Director (IRD – PHARMA-DEV).
- Sunday, December 7 at 11 a.m. at the Nestor Burma Cinema (Montpellier)
“Reunion Island: A Laboratory of Evolution” by Jürgen Hansen, 2024 – 52 min
How to protect a young island ecosystem that has been weakened by human activity.
Speakers: Jürgen Hansen, Vasilis Dakos (CNRS – ISEM), Adrien Chevallier (IRD – MARBEC), Mathieu Rouget (CIRAD – PVBMT).
- Sunday, December 7, at 3 p.m. at the Emile Zola Media Library (Montpellier)
“Cap Corse: The Mystery of the Rings” by Yann Rineau, 2024 – 90 min
A scientific investigation led by Laurent Ballesta into mysterious underwater structures.
Speaker: Julie Deter, scientific director of the film (Andromède Océanologie).
An event for professionals, students, and the general public on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
University of Montpellier, Triolet Campus, Lecture Hall A36.01
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Interactive lecture titled “What Is Scientific Evidence?” by Frédéric Feu (CIST), as part of the regional project “Science or Misinformation?”
1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Arte Campus Master Class on the film *La fabrique de l’ignorance* (2021) with Franck Cuveillier, co-director; Sophie Della Mussia (CIRAD – communication / science outreach); and Pierrick Labbé (ISEM).
Reservations are recommended for the morning: here and for the afternoon: here
School screenings
Held throughout the year at partner schools, by registration, featuring documentaries tailored to elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Practical information:
- Date: December 2–7, 2025
- Program, registration, and festival information: here