A programme open to all
Over three days, the Nautilus Festival invites you to discover the mysterious world of submarines:
- Screenings of archive footage, in partnership with the French National Audiovisual Institute (INA), the French Navy, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and Naval Group;
- Screenings of classic submarine films: The Wolf's Call (2019), K-19: The Widowmaker (2002), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) as well as the iconic comedy Operation Petticoat (1959);
- Screening of the unreleased documentary The True Story of Das Boot (2023), revisiting the iconic 1981 film Das Boot, inspired by the U-96, one of Hitler’s most feared U-boats;
- Screening of the documentary 5 Submarines Against the Nazis, accompanied by commentary from historians;
- Conferences, testimonials and Q&As: including historians, naval architects, former and current directors of the Naval Group site of Cherbourg, engineers, submariners, underwater archaeologists, oceanographers, filmmakers and film critics.
Discover the full programme here [link to programme to be uploaded on EDM].
A symbolic calendar of events
This first edition of the festival takes place at a particularly meaningful time, marking:
- the 25th anniversary of the arrival of the submarine Le Redoutable at La Cité de la Mer;
- the anniversary of the first French submarine Le Morse, launched in Cherbourg on 4 July 1899;
- The 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in WWII against the Nazis; a chance to honour the role of the French submarine forces during this war.
Naval Group, partner of the festival
In early June, Naval Group took part in the festival’s educational days, a series of conferences that welcomed over 1,200 secondary school students from Cherbourg and the Cotentin region. The events featured presentations by our teams and Elles bougent “godmothers” from Naval Group, offering students a behind-the-scenes look at the world of submarines, from design to operations, and aiming to spark interest in future careers. “Backing the establishment of this submarine film festival was a natural choice for Naval Group, and we’re proud to be involved,” said Laurent Espinasse, EVP Submarines at Naval Group. “This incredible cinematic journey into the depths of the ocean offers a unique opportunity for a wide audience to discover the fascinating world of submarines. Our partnership reflects our commitment to inspiring the next generation, encouraging new career paths and sharing our passion for these extraordinary vessels.”
To sign up to the various screenings, click here: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/les-amis-du-festival-nautilus
