A film education initiative

Since January 1^st 2007, "Passeurs d’Images" has replaced "Un été au Ciné / Cinéville" (Summer at the Movies / Cineville), launched in 1991 by the CNC, France’s National Cinematography Centre, as part of a new urban development policy and an interdepartmental preventive operation called "Ville, Vie, Vacances" ("City, Life, Holidays").

Various French bodies, aware of the major role film plays in society and the interest it inspires, have joined forces with Passeurs d’Images. Signatories of a July 2001 protocol agreement include : DDAT, a local government body in charge of development and community action, DIV, an interdepartmental body for urban development, DJEP, the central government body for youth and education, and FAS, a social action fund.

"Passeurs d’images" is a cultural and social organisation promoting Film & Image education, contributing to the French urban development policy and supported by the ACSE (National Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunities). It is registered in the agreements on film and audiovisual development signed by the French government and regions as part of a plan called "Dynamic Hope Suburbs".

A new interdepartmental protocol regarding "Passeurs d’images" was signed on October 26th 2009 by :
 the Ministry of Culture and Communication (General Secretary),
 the State Secretary in charge of the Urban Development Policy,
 the CNC (National Cinematography Centre),
 the ACSE (National Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunities)
 the High Commissioner for Youth – Ministry for Youth, Education and Community Life.

The operation covers all the French regions and overseas territories, and is supported by a number of partnerships concluded with local authorities, cinemas, film and audiovisual associations and social integration organisations.

"Passeurs d’Images" organises extracurricular projects promoting film and audiovisual cultural initiatives, aimed primarily at young people, who, for social, geographical or cultural reasons, don’t have easy access to films and other audiovisual events and activities.
It enables them not only to watch films, but to learn the techniques of making and showing films.

Its objectives are to provide better access to film, to educate youngsters on film, to raise public awareness to cultural diversity, to fight against discrimination, and to mobilise several partners in the same country to work towards an overall strategy.

"Passeurs d’Images" projects are conceived and implemented by several social and cultural partners with similar objectives. The “Passeurs d’Images” network is composed of national and regional partners.