The RECIF Festival (REEF : Regional Encounters of the Emerging Filmmakers) marks a new stage for cinema in New Caledonia, while embracing a dynamic of regional cooperation across the Pacific.
Over the past quarter century, New Caledonian cinema has taken shape, gradually establishing itself as a space for expression and reflection on major social themes. While documentaries have long dominated local production, fiction has steadily gained ground, opening up new narrative and aesthetic perspectives.
With its first edition, RECIF aims to broaden its horizons by opening its competition to Pacific short fiction films alongside New Caledonian productions. By bringing together filmmakers and professionals from neighboring islands, the festival seeks to encourage dialogue, collaboration, and the celebration of each territory’s unique cultural identity.
This regional focus reflects a strong ambition to build lasting bridges between island film communities, promoting the circulation of works, skills, and talents.
A festival looking to the future
RECIF also intends to present an international selection of first and second feature fiction films, showcasing the vitality of emerging cinema around the world. This focus on new voices in the seventh art is driven by a desire to foster discovery, exchange, and the visibility of today’s and tomorrow’s talents.
Designed as an annual event, RECIF is anchored in a long-term vision. By placing emerging cinema at the heart of its editorial line, the festival aims to create connections between creators, audiences, and professionals throughout the region.
A traveling festival
The festival will take place from November 7 to December 13, 2025, making stops in fourteen municipalities : Nouméa, Dumbéa, Mont-Dore, Païta, Boulouparis, Thio, La Foa, Bourail, Pouembout, Koné, Voh, Poindimié, Hienghène, and Ouvéa.
With the support of its institutional partners, including local municipalities, the festival will offer screenings across New Caledonia’s three provinces, both indoors and outdoors, reaching an ever wider audience and helping cinema shine across the entire territory.
Join us on November 7, 2025, at the Tjibaou Cultural Center for the opening night, and be part of the first moments of this new adventure!
RECIF follows in the footsteps of the La Foa Film Festival, which supported the development of cinema in New Caledonia for 26 editions, until its final event in 2024.
October 24: Broadcast “Listen to the Heartbeat of the Rock” on NC la 1ère
From 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Presentation of the 2025 edition, with the participation of Delphine-Ollier Vindin, Véronique Menet, and Florian Sagez.
October 29 : Exhibition of Works Offered to the Award Winners
from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Château Hagen, Maison Taragnat, in the presence of the artist.
Free admission
RECIF presents a temporary exhibition of linocuts created by artist Véronique Menet.
Opening week-end
Nouméa – Tjibaou Cultural Center
Join us in celebrating the opening of the festival in the exceptional setting of the Tjibaou Cultural Center.
A weekend of encounters, screenings, and reflections around Pacific cinema and literature awaits you.
Friday, November 7 – Opening Night (free access)
6:00 PM – Audience welcome and live performance by I Nu
6:20 PM – Customary ceremony
6:40 PM – Opening speeches
7:00 PM – RECIF Festival Song performed by I Nu
7:05 PM – Presentation of the opening film by our guest of honor, Damon Fepulea’i
7:15 PM – Screening : RED, WHITE & BRASS by Damon Fepulea’i
Saturday, November 8 – Pacific Cinema & Literature Day (free access)
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM : Pacific Literature Space with Calédo Livres and the Writers’ Association of New Caledonia
9:30 AM – Pacific Selection : BOAT STOP, BUBU BELO, LA CACHETTE, FIRST HORSE, HANA, IGNITION(S), CANDY BAR(Part 1 – 1h40). Films presented in Selections
12:30 PM – Panel discussion: Do ecological issues influence Pacific literature and cinema? (1h00)
2:00 PM – Pacific Selection : I.A.T. FREEDOM FIGHTER, LIVE FROM THE ALICE, MARAHORO, WOMB, THE SANDBANK(Part 2 – 1h38). Films presented in Selections
4:15 PM – Panel discussion: Challenges and encounters – Making a first feature film in the Pacific (1h00)
Explore the rest of the program
Create your own festival journey by exploring our Selections :
- International Selection – Émergence : first and second feature films (screenings at Ciné City, Origin Cinéma, and the Bourail cinema on 06/12 are ticketed)
- Short Film Competitions : Pacific Selection, Toujours plus courts, Young Talents (free access)
- Caledonian Program : local clips and short films (free access)
- Young Audience Selection : a family-friendly program for ages three and up (free access).
Each film listing includes venue, date, and screening time.
- To browse the entire festival at a glance (screenings, events, competitions, and more) :
- To access a mobile version of the full program :
- Finally, if you’d like to hit the road with the festival, visit Practical Information to view the festival map and locations across the territory.
Guest of Honour from New Zealand
DAMON FEPULEA’I
Damon Fepulea’i was born in Auckland to a Samoan father and a mother of European descent. At the University of Auckland, he began an arts degree before taking a two-year television and film course at Carrington Polytechnic (now Unitec Institute of Technology).
His first television job after his studies was with Kids TV, a small cable channel. In 1998, he took the helm of the live broadcast Kids TV Club.
Damon Fepulea’i began writing his own scripts. His first short film, WATERMARK (2001), was born from a collaboration with his childhood friend, Savage. Determined to shoot on film, he saw the short selected by 20 international festivals; it won Best Film, Best Actress, and Best Cinematography at the Drifting Clouds Festival in 2002.
While working as an editor, he directed his first documentary, A LIFE IN DEATH (TV1), followed in 2003 by DAWN RAIDS, a documentary about a painful period in New Zealand’s history.
His television drama debut came with THE MARKET (2005), the first long-running Pacific Island drama series. He also wrote and directed a second short film, KARMA (2004). He then directed documentaries on the PLAY IT STRANGE high school songwriting competition. His 2006 documentary was nominated for Best Children’s Programme at the Qantas Film and Television Awards, winning the category in 2008. In 2009, his documentary LIFE, DEATH AND A LUNG TRANSPLANT was nominated for Best Documentary.
From 2008 to 2013, Damon Fepulea’i was part of GOODFELLAS, a 48 HOUR FILM competition team that dominated the PETER JACKSON WILDCARD category. His personal favourites remain IN SEARCH OF BIG FOOT (2008) and BROKEN SILENCE (2013).
In 2010, he added comedy to his résumé, directing two seasons of THE JONO PROJECT, Jono Pryor’s show for C4, later continuing for five seasons.
In 2023, Damon Fepulea’i directed his first feature film, RED, WHITE AND BRASS. Inspired by a true story, he co-wrote the screenplay with Halaifonua Finau, a member of the original marching band.
In 2025, he presents his film as Guest of Honour at the inaugural edition of the RECIF Festival in New Caledonia.
Your meetings with Damon Fepulea’i
Tjibaou Cultural Centre
Friday, November 7
RED, WHITE & BRASS – Presentation and discussion around the opening film
Saturday, November 8
Thematic discussion led by David Bilbault : « Shooting a First Feature Film in the Pacific »
CPS
Monday, November 10
Thematic discussion led by David Bilbault : « The Power of Place in Cinema »
RECIF On the Road
Discussion around his debut feature film RED, WHITE & BRASS
Wednesday, November 12
Paul K. Dupré Cinema, Bourail – 6:30 PM
Thursday, November 13
Pomémie Cultural Centre, Koné – 6:30 PM
Friday, November 14
Cultural Centre Auditorium, Voh – 5:30 PM
Friday, November 14
Château Grimigni, Pouembout – 7:00 PM
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Guests from Australia
DAMON VAN DER SCHUIT, WRITER/DIRECTOR
Damon van der Schuit is an award-winning Australian writer and director. A graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), his debut short film FIRST DROP (2023) won First Place at the Darwin International Film Festival and went on to screen at numerous international festivals, earning multiple accolades.
Often balancing comedy and drama, Damon’s work is defined by richly drawn characters, a strong sense of place, and a humane exploration of interpersonal connection. Born and raised in the iconic outback town of Alice Springs, his storytelling is deeply influenced by the landscapes and communities of Central Australia.
EMMA ALIX SMITH, ACTOR/PRODUCER
Emma is an award-winning film producer and actor. Raised across Pakistan, Thailand, France, and Fiji before settling in Central Australia at 13, her global upbringing fostered a deep love of culture, people, and the natural world.
She has worked extensively both in front of and behind the camera, combining her skills as an actor, writer, and producer. Her short film series BEAR PAUSE earned multiple awards and a high commendation at the Sydney Phone Film Festival in 2022. She went on to produce FIRST DROP and both produce and act in LIVE FROM THE ALICE, with each film receiving multiple awards.
Emma is passionate about telling meaningful stories and creating screen content that is both engaging and impactful.
Your meetings with Damon van der Schuit & Emma Smith
CPS
Monday, November 10
Thematic discussion led by David Bilbault : « The Power of Place in Cinema »
RECIF On the Road
Discussion around their short film, LIVE FROM THE ALICE :
Wednesday, November 12
Paul K. Dupré Cinema, Bourail – 6:30 PM
Thursday, November 13
Pomémie Cultural Centre, Koné – 6:30 PM
Friday, November 14
Cultural Centre Auditorium, Voh – 5:30 PM
Friday, November 14
Château Grimigni, Pouembout – 7:00 PM
A festival is a special time to share moments of reflection with professionals and the public.
To host and coordinate three thematic meetings, RECIF has invited David Bilbault, a prominent figure in New Caledonia’s associative, media, and events scene.
Meet our guests and join the discussions !
Saturday, November 8
Tjibaou Cultural Center
Terrace, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Do ecological challenges influence Pacific literature and cinema?
Halfway between the festival’s spaces dedicated to Pacific films and books, this meeting explores the role of climate change and environmental issues in regional literary and cinematic creation. What role and influence do they have ?
Our guests
- Philippe De Cet, producer, Techni Vidéo
- Kevin Gallot, reading committee member and author for Sillages d’Océanie, AENC secretary
- Cathie Manné, director of Calédo Livres
- Frédéric Rabaud, director, editor, special effects artist
- Liliane Tauru, publisher
- Bénédicte Vernier, Director of the Southern Province Film Commission
Saturday, November 8
Tjibaou Cultural Center
Case Eman, 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Shooting a first feature film in the Pacific – a challenge?
Becoming a filmmaker in a Pacific country often follows a unique path. Why and how does one embark on this adventure? What are the specific characteristics, opportunities, and obstacles along the way ?
Caledonian directors and producers will talk with the festival’s guest of honor to share their experiences and perspectives.
Our guests
- Damon Fepulea’i, director (New Zealand)
- Terence Chevrin, director, president of ACPF
- Catherine Marconnet, producer (Archipel Production) – to be confirmed
- Jérôme Roumagne, director
- Jeanne Vassard, director, screenwriter, stage actress
Monday, November 10
SPC – Pacific Community
Library, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
(Limited access: 1:10 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
The power of place in cinema
What interactions exist between a writer-director and the country in which they work – whether through its geography, history, or imagination ? Does the territory become a driving force for creation, even a character in its own right ? What place does it hold in the eyes of authors, funders, and audiences ?
Our Pacific guests
- Damon Fepulea’i, director (New Zealand)
- Damon van der Schuit, director (Australia)
- Emma Smith, producer, actress (Australia)
Alongside them, a panel of Caledonian filmmakers and producers interested in this theme will be present and invited to share their views.
Jeanne Vassard
PACIFIC SELECTION
Jury President
Jeanne Vassard
Director, screenwriter, actress, audiovisual instructor at the IUT of New Caledonia
Jury Members
Sylvain Bourget
Member of the management Committee of the Audiovisual and Film Fund of New Caledonia
Fabien Dubedout
Journalist, writer, director
Nunë Luepak
Writer, documentary filmmaker
Simèi Paala
Deputy director of the Bernheim Library
Bénédicte Vernier
Head of the Southern Province Filming Office
Brigitte Whaap
Director, journalist at NC la 1ère
Terence Chevrin
ALWAYS SHORTER
Jury President
Terence Chevrin
Director, President of the ACPF (New Caledonian Association of Fiction Producers)
Jury Members
Hélène Adrey
Co-production Manager at CANAL+ Calédonie
Christopher Hnautra
Artist, actor
Lou Lurde
Editor
Israëlla Sanchez
Actress
Nicolas Parent
YOUNG TALENTS
Jury President
Nicolas Parent
Director, editor, actor
Jury Members
Pierre Gouarin
High school teacher at Lapérouse high school, in charge of the film and audiovisual program
Nadège Lagneau
Executive Director of ADAMIC, Director of the Rex Nouméa
Rémi Péreira de Carvalho
Director, editor, youth workshop facilitator
Zerbina Poarareu
Dancer, actress
Noël Alla
1 2 3 FILMEZ
Jury President
Noël Alla
Videographer, editor, photographer
Jury Members Jury
Marie Baille
Treasurer and producer at AJUCA, producer at Barking Birds Films
Cyrielle Bailly
Makeup artist, script supervisor
Jessy Deroche
Director, photographer, editor, actor
Mara Lurde
Director of programs and productions at CALEDONIA
1 2 3 PITCHEZ
Olivier Martin
Producer, NK Prod
Florian Sagez
Producer, Lighting Starfish
Tjibaou Cultural Center
Saturday, 8 November, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Caledo Livres Bookstore is delighted to participate in the RECIF Festival by opening another door: that of books, to share the cultural richness of New Caledonia and the Pacific. On this occasion, the bookstore will offer a selection of local and regional publications.
Together with the New Caledonian Writers’ Association (AENC), the public is invited to meet the authors during signing sessions organized throughout the day.
Book Signing Schedule
From 9:30 AM
- AENC authors around the anthology Sillages d’Océanie, themed « The Screen »
- Sylvie Baille, Michèle Denny-Beaudeau, Yannick Jan
From 1:30 PM
- AENC authors around the anthology Sillages d’Océanie, themed « The Screen »
- Claude Bugeia, Dominique Berton (illustrator), Liliane Tauru
AENC on the theme « The Screen » :
“This theme explores the ambivalent power of an invention that has become indispensable. A window on the world or an invisible wall between us, the screen fascinates, captivates, and unsettles. In these pages, short stories and poems question our daily gestures, our shared memories of images, our digital dependencies, and our intimate rebellions. Behind the blue light appear, in turn, the nostalgia of the first screens, the excesses of a pixel-saturated future, but also the hope of reconnecting with reality—a glance, an outstretched hand, an open horizon. A mosaic of Caledonian and Francophone voices, this collection is at once satire, meditation, and promise. An invitation to reflect, to smile, to feel… and perhaps to choose a moment for oneself by turning off the screen.”
Rex Nouméa
Saturday, November 15 – 6:30 p.m.
(by invitation only – doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
This first edition of the festival celebrates creativity through a variety of competition categories.
A total of twelve awards will be presented during the Awards Evening.
Pacific Selection
- Grand Prize – Golden Coral : 300,000 XPF
- Jury Prize – Silver Coral : 200,000 XPF
- Coral Award for Best Caledonian Film : 200,000 XPF
- Coral Award for Best Performance : 100,000 XPF
This award may be split to honor both a female and a male actor.
Always Shorter
- Best Very Short Film Award : 100,000 XPF
- Special Jury Prize : 50,000 XPF
Young Talents
- Youth Coral Award : 100,000 XPF
- Coral Seed Award : 50,000 XPF
1 2 3 Film It !
- Best Directing Award : 100,000 XPF
- Jury’s Special Mention : 50,000 XPF
- Emerging Talent Award (for a young actor or actress): cinema tickets
1 2 3 Pitch It !
- Development Grant : 125,000 XPF and five mentoring sessions with a producer
Cash prizes will be accompanied by a unique artwork : the festival’s Coral trophy.
The awards will be announced on November 15.
Inviting an artist to enrich the festival’s editorial line, where their imagination meets ours…
RECIF has chosen to award winners not with a traditional trophy, but with a unique work of art.
To give shape to this vision and distinguish the different festival categories, RECIF collaborated with Veronique Menet, whose artistic universe resonates with our initial inspirations.
Trained at the Olivier-de-Serres School of Applied Arts in Paris, Veronique Menet is a visual artist and landscape designer. She partly grew up in Poindimie and now lives in Noumea, where she maintains her studio. Her artistic language is guided by emotion and research. Both her installations and two-dimensional works explore a wide variety of techniques and materials, with a particular focus on botanical elements.
Through the motif of coral, RECIF aims to assert its Pacific identity and create a poetic parallel between the festival’s competition levels and the stages of polyp development : young talents are the sprouts, professionals are the fully grown branches…
To embody this living metaphor, the artist has designed a series of linocuts on textile, subtly enhanced with embroidery.
A trophy as an Offering
« Linocut is a handcrafted printing technique. The design is carved by hand into a linoleum plate, gouging out the areas that will not be printed. Ink is then applied to the raised surfaces with a roller, and the plate is pressed onto textile, revealing the image as a print.
Each print is unique and numbered, bearing the marks of the gesture and the time spent creating it.
Rolled like scrolls and tied with textile cords, these works evoke the traditional mats of our culture, carrying respect, recognition, and social connection.
To give a work of art is to give time, material, and emotion. It is to tell the winning artist: your work has left a mark, here is ours in return. » V. Menet
Linocut Exhibition at Maison Taragnat, Château Hagen:
- Wednesday 15, Saturday 18, and Wednesday 22 October – in the presence of a RECIF’s member (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
- Wednesday 29 October – in the presence of the artist (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
La Collectionneuse Exhibition at Château Hagen:
Discover at the same time Véronique Menet’s current exhibition, exploring intimacy and memory.
- Tuesday to Saturday : 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM until 13 December.)
The Song of RECIF : an original creation by I NU
For its first edition, RECIF wanted to mark its opening with an original musical creation, entrusted to the group I NU.
I NU, which means « coconut tree » in Drehu, is a musical duo born from the meeting of Hnawejë Canehmez, originally from Lifou, and Marianne Canehmez, from Normandy. Living in France at the time, their music began to take shape through encounters, travels, and a variety of artistic projects. I NU draws inspiration from traditional Kanak music while opening up to global influences such as bossa nova, blues, jazz, and reggae.
In 2015, they settled in New Caledonia. Their songwriting is a true collaboration, blending melody and poetry, supported by acoustic guitar and ukulele. They also write in several languages – French, English, and Drehu – which enhances the intercultural dimension of their songs.
Inspired by the festival’s editorial line, between ocean and image, memory and movement, the artists composed a song that reflects the spirit of this collective adventure.
This work, written especially for the event, weaves connections between the cultures and imaginations of the Pacific. It evokes the light of the islands, the diversity of perspectives, and the vitality of the creations that bring our region to life.
Performed for the first time during the opening evening, this song will become the musical identity of the festival.
Tjibaou Cultural Center (Ape Vila)
Friday, November 7
6:00 PM : Live performance (20 min)
7:00 PM : The Song of RECIF
PRESS REVIEW
Cinema: The new RECIF festival opens onto the Pacific
Article available on LNC, October 16, 2025
https://www.lnc.nc/article/nouvelle-caledonie/culture/cinema/cinema-le-nouveau-festival-recif-s-ouvre-sur-le-pacifique
The RECIF festival takes over the Tjibaou Cultural Center on November 7 and 8, before touring New Caledonia
Article available on NC la 1ère, October 16, 2025
https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/province-sud/noumea/cinema-le-festival-recif-investit-le-centre-tjibaou-les-7-et-8-novembre-avant-d-arpenter-la-caledonie-1633295.html
Sacha Wolff, director of the film Mercenaire, plans to shoot a feature film in New Caledonia
Article available on NC la 1ère, October 15, 2025
https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/sacha-wolff-realisateur-du-film-mercenaire-envisage-de-tourner-un-long-metrage-en-caledonie-1633292.html
RECIF, the new Caledonian film festival dedicated to Pacific cinema
Article available on LNC, June 1, 2025
https://www.lnc.nc/article/nouvelle-caledonie/culture/recif-le-nouveau-festival-caledonien-de-cinema-dedie-aux-films-du-pacifique
RECIF, a new film festival
Article available on DNC, May 29, 2025
https://www.dnc.nc/recif-un-nouveau-festival-de-cinema/
What you need to know about “RECIF,” the new film festival in New Caledonia
Article available on NC la 1ère, May 28, 2025
https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/fictions-caledoniennes-et-du-pacifique-concours-ce-qu-il-faut-savoir-sur-recif-le-nouveau-festival-du-cinema-en-nouvelle-caledonie-1590600.html
