About Cinema On The Bayou Film Festival

Mission Statement

Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival is committed to presenting nationally and internationally acclaimed narrative fiction, documentary, animated and experimental films and filmmakers with truly original voices. The festival is also committed to advancing the understanding of Cajun and Creole cultures through film screenings, film panels and cultural exchanges among French Louisiana, the United States and the Francophone countries of the world.

Cinema on the Bayou presents U.S. and Louisiana premieres of new, cutting edge, fiction and non-fiction films from around the world in a relaxing environment, laced and embellished with Cajun culture's unique identity markers, exquisite cuisine and great music. We screen uncompromising, thought-provoking films that make us laugh and cry; engage in serious discussions about matters important to independent filmmakers; and have a lot of fun and good times with old friends and make important connections with new friends who share our commitment to quality film.

Louisiana's Second Oldest Film Festival

Cinema on the Bayou, Louisiana's second oldest film festival, is an annual eight-day film festival founded in 2006 by filmmaker Pat Mire, who serves as Artistic Director of the Festival. Now in its fifteenth year, the Festival is held beginning in the last week of January at various venues in and around of Lafayette, Louisiana. Cinema on the Bayou has the unique distinction among film festivals of having given the "Audience Award" to a film, "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore," one year before that film was nominated and received an Academy Award. Cinema on the Bayou also has the distinction of having one of the largest opening night audiences at a Louisiana film festival when 800-plus people attended the Louisiana premiere of "Little Chenier," knocking out "Spiderman" at Celebrity Theaters in Broussard. All of this is presented in a setting that provides the opportunity for plenty of fun and good times with old friends and to make important connections with new friends who share a commitment to quality film.