ICARE DU CINEMA, 44th edition
In 2023, the Festival celebrated its 40th anniversary – the perfect opportunity for a brief look back at 40 years of aerial cinema… here’s our account:
A look back at over 40 years of cinema
Following the 1979 World Paragliding Championships, Daniel Raibon Pernoud, President of the Coupe Icare, sought to breathe new life into the St Hilaire site.
With the help of Nicole Raibon (who would go on to become the Festival Director) and Martine Lange – and drawing on the advice of Jeannot and Janine Lamberton (organisers of the La Chapelle-en-Vercors Caving Film Festival) – they embarked on the adventure of the Film Festival!
In 1983, the Coupe Icare celebrated its 10th anniversary and launched the first international free flight film festival, held in the auditorium of the Rocheplane Medical Centre.
Pierre François Degeorges, producer of the programme ‘Les Carnets de l’Aventure’, became the festival’s first jury president and a loyal friend of the event.
The Grand Prix for all categories was awarded to Léo Dickinson for “Sailing above the Alps”
Daniel
Martine et Nicole
Pierre François Degeorge
The audience
Right from the very first edition, the audience has turned out in force! An audience of enthusiasts and participants.
During the Coupe Icare, we fly by day and gather in the evening in a festive, friendly atmosphere where paper planes add a touch of fun to the film screenings!
Bonds are formed in no time…
Right from the very first edition, the crowds have turned out in force! An audience of enthusiasts and participants.
During the Coupe Icare, we fly by day and gather in the evening in a festive, friendly atmosphere where paper planes add a touch of fun to the film screenings!
Didier Favre on the harmonica
Jean Daniel Carrard
Philippe Bernard alias "Super Max"
Les films
Originally dedicated to delta-wing flying, the festival soon expanded to include other disciplines, particularly in 1985 with the arrival of paragliding.
This was followed by paramotoring, model aircraft, speed-riding, base jumping…
What a whirlwind of emotions under that big top!
Before long, the cinema in Rocheplane became too small… In 1993, the festival pitched its big top at the heart of the Coupe Icare. The Festival is first and foremost about screenings, but it is also an opportunity for encounters and highlights such as:
- In 1997, the American Francis Roggalo, a NASA engineer and one of the fathers of hang gliding, received a standing ovation
- In 2002, the Brazilian Tura and his paper balloons, discovered thanks to Etienne Chambolle’s film, …
- In 2015: a meeting between two giants of the world of free flight – Australian Bill Moyes, a pioneer of the delta wing, and Swiss Bertrand Piccard
Francis Rogallo and his wife, with Nicole, Daniel and Martine
Tura, flanked by Daniel Raibon Pernoud and Nicole Raibon
Bill Moyes et Franck Piccard
The audience is still here!
As loyal as ever, just as numerous, and delighted to discover a wonderful selection of films dedicated to aerial sports every year! The entire organising team looks forward to seeing you on 16 September for a new edition of this film festival, the only one of its kind in the world!
