Les Arcs was co-founded in 2009 by Pierre-Emmanuel Fleurantin (CEO), Guillaume Calop (general manager), and Jérémy Zelnik (head of industry), on the grounds of the ski resort of the same name.
[5] Apart from the main competition, the festival features such sections as Oscars on skis, Playtime, Hauteurs, Focus, and a recurring professional event — the Industry Village that aims to promote European cinema and aid emerging filmmakers.
[7][8] Along with Norwegian International Film Festival, Karlovy Vary, and Thessaloniki, Les Arcs participates in the Eurimages Lab Project Award that offers its winner a 50,000 euros cash prize.
The jury, presided by director Asghar Farhadi, included actress Rebecca Marder, actor Vincent Lacoste, composer Irène Drésel and novelist Christine Angot.
The 15th edition hosted a lot of high guests, including Isabelle Huppert, Jonathan Cohen, Vincent Macaigne, Joachim Lafosse, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Michel Hazanavicius.