Cinema at €5 in Essonne: the Cin'estival 2026 festival returns

The late-summer cinema gathering is taking shape in Palaiseau, in Essonne (91). From Monday, 24 August to Sunday, 30 August 2026, the independent cinema CinéPal' is hosting the 17th edition of Cin'estival, in partnership with the town hall. The lineup for these seven days includes 26 films, more than 100 screenings and 8 previews, all at a single price of €5 per ticket for everyone.

An event that has become a local calendar staple, drawing more than 3,500 spectators each year. People come with family, friends, or solo to keep the summer vibe alive on the big screen without breaking the bank.

Why a flat 5€ price for the entire festival?

The idea behind this mini-price is to keep the cinema accessible to as many people as possible as the new season kicks off. Le Ciné'Pal makes no secret of it: it’s about offering those who didn’t go on holiday, or who are returning, a week of screenings that are rich and varied without blowing the budget.

This attractive price, valid for all screenings, probably explains why Cin'estival is eagerly awaited every summer by the neighborhood regulars. For a week, you can catch up on the big summer releases at a bargain price. Among the scheduled blockbusters, you’ll notably find:

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day
• The Battle of Gaulle
• The Odyssey our review of Christopher Nolan's mythic epic
• The End of Oak Street
• PAW Patrol: The Movie — Dino Mission

Eight preview screenings, including several from the Cannes Film Festival 2026

The Cin'estival is also a chance to discover eight films in previews, ahead of their official theatrical release. Several of them made waves at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, giving savvy cinephiles something to savor weeks before everyone else:

• To be read
• Top cinemas in Paris

• A Woman's Life, featuring Léa Drucker
• Our Salvation, by Emmanuel Marre
• Stories of the Night, by Léa Mysius
• The Marie-Claire Case, by Lauriane Escaffre and Yvo Muller
• La Bola Negra, by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi
• The Corset (animated film)
• The Island of Memories (DreamWorks animated film)
• Sham (Japanese film)

A small touch that makes all the difference: at the end of each preview screening, audiences receive a ballot to rate the film. After the votes are tallied, the Cin'Estival preview audience prize is awarded. For a week, the cinema becomes a jury.

On the practical side, the festival takes place at CinéPal' Palaiseau from Monday, August 24 to Sunday, August 30, 2026, with more than 100 screenings spread across the seven days. The detailed program and showtimes can be found on the cinema’s official site. We suggest booking your seats in advance for the premieres, which often sell out quickly.

And if the urge for the big screen takes you beyond Essonne, the Île-de-France region has plenty more options. For instance, check out our pick of outdoor cinema festivals in Paris and Île-de-France, perfect for a string of under-the-stars screenings right up until the rentrée.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.