The festival celebrates crime and thriller fiction in five forms: novels, comic books, film, theatre, and television.
It awards prizes in several categories, and features lectures, debates, exhibitions, screenings, theatre performances, book signings, and more.
In 1998 it took place in March/April within the framework of the former Festival du Film Policier de Cognac, and included only novels.
The first standalone festival was moved to a quieter time of year, in October 1999, taking place in La Salamandre Congress Centre, with funding from private partners.
[1] French director Jean-Pierre Mocky, a "perpetual guest" of the festival, was given a Polar lifetime achievement award in 2015.