Sœurs Jumelles Festival

The eye and the ear,
Music and image,
Twin sisters,
Where does their power originate?
And where will it lead?

All creation hangs on their resonance,
On their mutual vibrations,
On their parallel waves.

Because we believe
Their possibilities have never been more infinite,
That their echo knows no bounds,
That from their ceaseless pas de deux springs the spectacle,
And with it emotion, wonder, astonishment,

We want to make them tremble and resonate,
Open one to the other and the other to one,
To understand and feel their interactions,
To do this, to give them free rein,
The space and time to move us.

Twin Sisters
Encounters of Music and Image,
In Rochefort.

Born in June 2021 in Rochefort—the birthplace of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort—the Sœurs Jumelles Festival draws its inspiration from the creative alchemy of Michel Legrand and Jacques Demy. Conceived by Julie Gayet, Delphine Paul, and Éric Debègue, its aim is to create a transdisciplinary space where music and image become one. Each year, this innovative festival forges strong connections between composers, directors, and audiences, celebrating the diversity of artistic practices and public engagement.

Supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the City of Rochefort, Sœurs Jumelles takes place in emblematic heritage sites: the Corderie Royale, Église Saint-Louis, Théâtre de la Coupe d’Or, and Cinéma Apollo 8. The goal? To offer prestigious settings and exceptional acoustics for hybrid formats—concerts accompanied by film projections, interactive sound installations, and virtual reality experiences.

Music

At the heart of the festival, music spans every register: symphonic, jazz, electro, film scores, and experimental creations. This year, the Labèque Sisters open the programme with Philip Glass’s Orphée and Les Enfants Terribles, a tribute to Jean Cocteau. Next, Laurence Equilbey and the Insula Orchestra offer a baroque, cinematic journey, while the Orchestre National de Bordeaux-Aquitaine blends Monteverdi and Morricone within the sacred acoustics of Église Saint-Louis.

Image

Image takes over the festival in all its forms: cinema, series, documentaries, animation, advertising, video games, and virtual reality. World premieres at Cinéma Apollo 8, school screenings, intimate mobile-cinema sessions, and encounters with production teams punctuate the schedule. Amateurs and enthusiasts will get a behind-the-scenes look at techniques—from writing to post-production—at Alhambra Studios.

To best serve its audiences, the festival offers two distinct but connected tracks: one for professionals, the other for the general public.

Public Track

• Free outdoor concerts on Place Colbert and the Icelandic Grand Stage.
• Family and school screenings at Cinéma Apollo 8 and via mobile cinema.
• Artistic encounters in the Théâtre de la Coupe d’Or: performances, Q&As, and direct exchanges with creators.

Professional Track

• Round tables and debates on the challenges facing the music and audiovisual industries.
• Speed-meetings (360 meetings) and pitch sessions (16 opportunities) to present projects and co-productions.
• Master-classes and practical workshops led by 125 renowned speakers.
• Networking cocktails, lunches, and dedicated collaboration spaces (Hôtel Mercure La Corderie Royale).

A historic town on the banks of the Charente, Rochefort provides a unique setting for the Sœurs Jumelles Festival. The Corderie Royale hosts the open-air Icelandic Grand Stage (2,500 seats), Église Saint-Louis offers sumptuous acoustics for classical music, and Cinéma Apollo 8 (8 screens) screens our premieres, while the Théâtre de la Coupe d’Or becomes the prime venue for artistic encounters.

In the town centre, Place Colbert transforms into a welcoming, free space for concerts, activities, and DJ sets. Since 2024, the mobile cinema has presented documentaries and exclusive screenings in an intimate 100-seat atmosphere. Supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, Alhambra Studios provides recording studios and image-and-sound editing suites. The message is clear: come shoot, create, and post-produce your work in Rochefort—the artistic capital where music and image become one.

Every evening, the Icelandic Grand Stage at the Corderie Royale hosts open-air concerts that blend genres and eras. Meanwhile, Église Saint-Louis offers sumptuous acoustics for classical and baroque performances, enhanced by visual projections. These festive, convivial events are free for everyone at Place Colbert, where DJ sets and activities create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Selection of Concerts to See in 2025

• Opening with the Labèque Sisters (June 24):
  Katia and Marielle explore Philip Glass through Orphée and Les Enfants Terribles, a visual and sonic tribute to Jean Cocteau.
• B.O.baroques (June 26):
  Laurence Equilbey and the Insula Orchestra weave together Vivaldi, Bach, Purcell, and Mozart with images from cult films like Barry Lyndon for a unique, dreamlike experience.
• Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine (June 28):
  The brass ensemble transports you from Monteverdi to Morricone in the majestic acoustics of Église Saint-Louis, uniting sacred music and the big screen.

On the esplanade of the Corderie Royale, the Mobile Cinema (100 seats) offers a visual and auditory immersion through eight documentaries—true journeys into the creative worlds of the featured artists.

This 2025 lineup blends intimate portraits (Nick Cave, Emiliana Torrini, Felix Kubin), bold musical fictions (Pavements), and sonic explorations (Cyborg Generation, Erik Satie). Each screening, driven by carefully crafted imagery and an immersive soundtrack, concludes with an artistic encounter: privileged conversations with directors and composers, sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and discussions about technical challenges and sources of inspiration.

More than just a screening, it’s a space for dialogue where audiences witness the creative process firsthand, satisfy their curiosity, and forge direct connections with the artists. A unique cultural experience at the crossroads of cinema and concert hall, enriching every discovery.

In the intimate setting of the Théâtre de la Coupe d’Or, the Artistic Encounters offer audiences privileged access to creators, decoding the genesis of works and fueling inspiration.

Each morning and early evening, attend short, interactive sessions (45 min) where artists, composers, and directors share:

• Their working methods: insights into image–sound collaboration, demonstrations of composition and editing.
• Their sources of inspiration: personal anecdotes, artistic influences, and creative challenges.
• Their contemporary concerns: the impact of new technologies, ecological transitions, and evolving professional practices.

Each session concludes with a direct exchange with the audience: Q&A, practical advice, and project suggestions. This format fosters knowledge sharing and networking, transforming every attendee into an active participant in the creative process. Free and open by prior registration, it’s the ideal opportunity to forge connections, broaden cultural horizons, and contribute to the growth of a vibrant creative community.

At the Hôtel Mercure La Corderie Royale, the Professional Meetings provide a privileged setting to foster collaborations between the worlds of music and image.

Thematic Round Tables
Discussions with experts on current challenges: financing, distribution, technological innovations, and eco-responsible practices.

Speed-Meetings
Targeted one-on-one sessions to pitch your projects, make direct contacts, and quickly identify potential partners.

Avant-Son Pitch Sessions
Present innovative projects before a mixed music/image jury and funders to receive feedback and explore co-production opportunities.

Cocktails and informal moments punctuate these events, encouraging genuine, convivial networking. Accessible with professional accreditation, this format is designed to create lasting synergies and spark new collaborations.

Accessibility & Inclusion

We ensure the festival is accessible to people with disabilities, with a special focus on deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

• Dedicated track supported by the Fondation pour l’Audition
• Choral sign-interpreted concerts and Sound X vibrating vests
• Round tables interpreted into French Sign Language (LSF) and/or subtitled
• Wheelchair-accessible venues: Icelandic Grand Stage (Corderie Royale), Église Saint-Louis, Cinéma Apollo 8, Théâtre de la Coupe d’Or, and Mobile Cinema
• Hearing loops available at the Théâtre de la Coupe d’Or, Mobile Cinema, and Hôtel Mercure La Corderie Royale

For a more balanced and inclusive culture, we advocate for women’s representation in the music and audiovisual industries.

• Parity in programming: artists, speakers, and key figures selected to ensure balance
• “Toutes et Tous à l’Unisson”: a forum for discussion and action on gender parity
• Partner associations: Women in Games, Troisième Autrice, Collectif 50/50
• Stand Up International: awareness-raising and training against harassment
• Prevention measures: signage and initiatives to combat gender-based and sexual violence

Inspiring and training new generations is at the heart of our mission.

• Year-round initiatives: meetings, lectures, and workshops for middle school, high school, and university students
• Higher Education Programme: immersive track in partnership with leading Music & Image institutions
• Testimonial:
  “The Sœurs Jumelles Festival is a hub for careers in film music and sound. An incredible opportunity to meet industry professionals and prepare for the future.”

We take action to minimize our environmental impact.

• Water refill stations and reusable bottles
• Soft mobility: partnership with SNCF, parking facilities, and bike loans
• Waste management: enhanced recycling and dry toilets at all venues