LES INTERGALACTIQUES
LYON, FRANCE
14th EDITION | 5th – 7h JUNE 2026
The streets of Lyon are about to ignite with the kind of electric, otherworldly energy that only happens when the boundaries between reality and imagination start to blur.
From June 5th to 7th, 2026, the 14th edition of Les Intergalactiques will descend upon the city and its neighbor, Villeurbanne, transforming them into a pulsating hub of speculative fiction, bold ideas, and unapologetic creativity.
This isn’t just another festival—it’s a full-throttle celebration of the stories that dare to rewrite the rules, the art that defies the expected, and the voices that refuse to be silenced.
At the heart of this year’s edition is the theme “Counter-fictions”—a provocative invitation to dismantle, challenge, and reimagine the narratives that shape our world.
This edition is shaped by the lens of speculative fiction and historicity. The programme explores in depth the ways in which science fiction and the literatures of the imaginary alter, disrupt, and interrogate our representations of reality and our ways of thinking about change.
Placed under the banner of speculative fiction, this edition will explore the many ways in which science fiction—and the imaginary more broadly—alter and question our representations of reality: ways that may lead to the creation of new worlds, to wonder, to vertigo, but also to unease and disorientation; ways that ultimately allow us to develop critical perspectives and challenge dominant narratives.
Imagery, storytelling, and discussion are the three modes through which we will collectively examine these questions, and what pop culture can reveal about them.
Here, science fiction isn’t just escapism; it’s a weapon, a mirror, a laboratory for the possible and the impossible.
The festival’s lineup is a who’s who of France’s most daring writers, artists, and thinkers: Claire Duvivier, whose „Capitale du Nord” (Capital of the North) reimagines history with a twist of urban fantasy; Guillaume Chamanadjian, the architectural mind behind „Heureux comme jamais” (Happier Than Ever); Auriane Velten, pushing the limits of human identity in her speculative works; and Luvan, whose „Derrière le grillage” (Behind the Wire Fence) probes the edges of literary experimentation
And that’s just the beginning.
With over 50 speakers, 113 visual artists crafting fictional VHS covers for nonexistent SF films, and a new literary translation prize shining a light on underrepresented languages, Les Intergalactiques is a living proof to the sheer vitality of speculative fiction in France today.
The energy is palpable.
The 8th Salon Création & Microédition will overflow with fanzines, indie comics, and handcrafted oddities, while the competition of international short films promises to dazzle and disturb in equal measure.
There’s a brocante brimming with retro gaming consoles, cult films, and geek treasures, and a book fair where the next generation of French SF and fantasy authors are waiting to be discovered.
The festival doesn’t just showcase the genre—it throws it into the ring with science, philosophy, and pop culture, sparking conversations that linger long after the panels end.
And the crowds?
They’re coming in droves—between 5,000 and 8,000 strong, all hungry for that unique alchemy of wonder, critique, and community that only Les Intergalactiques can deliver.
This is where the margins take center stage, where the future is debated in the present, and where every story, every image, every idea is a rebellion against the ordinary.
So mark your calendars.
Lyon is about to become the epicenter of the extraordinary.
The question isn’t whether you should be there—it’s whether you can handle the ride.
New: Launch of an entirely new literary translation prize!
The Intergalactiques SFFF Translation Prize, a literary award dedicated to the translations into French of works of science fiction, fantasy, and the fantastic, is being created for the 14th edition in 2026.
The Intergalactiques SFFF Translation Prize is organised by Hikaya Publishing, the IETT Research Centre (Lyon 3 University), and the festival. The jury is paying particular attention to works translated from underrepresented languages.
Chloé Billon is the winner of the very first Intergalactiques SFFF Translation Prize.
She will have the honour of being the first ever recipient.
Chloé Billon, translator of „La Sorcière à la jambe d’os” (Mladenka Kostonoga, 2020; The Bony-Legged Bride) by Croatian author Želimir Periš, published by Éditions du Sonneur, will receive the inaugural Intergalactiques SFFF Translation Prize during the festival.
The Intergalactiques SFFF Translation Prize is a new literary award dedicated to French translations of works of science fiction, fantasy, and the fantastic, organised by Hikaya Publishing, the IETT Research Centre (Lyon 3 University), and the Intergalactiques festival.
A warm congratulations to her.
For reference, here is the book’s description:
“In the wild mountains of Dalmatia, in a land of invasions and brigands where folklore, superstition, and political upheaval intertwine, Gila forges her own path against all odds. A witch to some, a healer to others, she defies dogma, injustice, and the powers that be. Hunted, judged, but never subdued, she fights to break free from the destiny imposed upon her.
„La Sorcière à la jambe d’os” (The Bony-Legged Bride) is an extraordinary novel, a picaresque tale that takes the form, by turns, of an inquisitorial report, a police deposition, a play, a recipe, a music review, a choose‑your‑own‑adventure book…
A magnificent portrait of a woman, a work weaving humour and irony, and a sensitive homage to the timeless struggles for freedom and dignity.”
Other awards are René Barjavel Prize: each year, the René Barjavel Prize is organised by the association AOA Prod, rewarding the best short story written on a chosen theme and the Short Film Prize: a prize is awarded for the best short film. For the twelfth edition, in 2024, ten films were screened across two sessions before a four‑member jury. A separate prize for Best Short Film Direction is also awarded.
Lyon’s cultural festival Les Intergalactiques brings together perspectives from science fiction, the literatures of the imaginary, and pop culture as a whole, intersecting them with those of the sciences and the social sciences.
Each year, our speakers are invited to share and exchange ideas around a general theme, which we explore through panel discussions and conferences, exhibitions, film screenings, a book fair, writing and creative workshops, and more.
For the 2026 edition, the theme is titled “Counter-Fictions”.
The 14th edition of the science fiction festival Les Intergalactiques takes place from 5 to 7 June 2026 in Lyon, centred on the theme “Counter-Fictions”.
Guests, Writers, and Creators (2026 Edition)
The festival brings together a wide selection of major authors, artists, and creators from the science fiction and speculative literature scene. The main confirmed guests for the 2026 edition include:
Claire Duvivier: Acclaimed author of the urban‑fantasy/alternate‑history cycle „Capitale du Nord”.
Guillaume Chamanadjian: A leading writer associated with the „Tour de Garde” series (author of Heureux comme jamais).
Auriane Velten: Science fiction novelist known for works of anticipation exploring the limits of the human.
Luvan: Author and artist working on the literary margins, known for dense works such as Derrière le grillage.
Léo Henry: Eclectic writer and short story author, present notably for Éloge des cocktails.
Christian Chavassieux: Science fiction and speculative author, invited for his novel Demain les origines.
Sébastien Juillard: Fantasy novelist exploring myth in Sous le règne des Filles du Feu.
Julia Colin: Rising author of SF and fantasy, noted for Passer la Brume.
In the Visual Arts section, the festival is also organising a major collective exhibition bringing together 113 artists invited to create fictional VHS covers for imaginary science fiction films.
Number of Guests and Attendance Estimates
The exact number of speakers, authors, and contributors generally ranges between 30 and 50 official guests (literature, cinema, social sciences), in addition to the 113 visual artists participating in the thematic exhibition. The 8th Creation & Micro‑Publishing Fair, held over the weekend, brings together dozens more independent creators, fanzines, and comic book authors.
Expected attendance (public): Since the festival recently expanded into larger eco‑cultural venues in Villeurbanne (La Rayonne and L’Autre Soie), overall attendance is estimated between 5,000 and 8,000 visitors over the three days.
The 14th edition of Les Intergalactiques runs from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June 2026 in Lyon and Villeurbanne.
2026 Theme: “Counter‑Fictions”
This edition focuses on speculative fiction and historicity. The programme explores how science fiction and the literatures of the imaginary alter, disrupt, and question our representations of reality and our ways of thinking about change.
Key Events
The festival offers around thirty events at the crossroads of pop culture, science, and the social sciences:
Book Fair & Panels: Meetings with major authors who challenge reality (including Laura Nsafou, Émilie Querbalec, Arula Ratnakar, and Sabrina Calvo).
Cinema & Short Films: An international short film competition judged by a jury composed of Helen Buday, Jérémie Périn, and Sébastien Chassagne.
8th Creation & Micro‑Publishing Fair: Dedicated to fanzines, comics, and independent creation at L’Autre Soie.
Les Intergalactiques is a science fiction and speculative arts festival created in 2012 by the non‑profit association AOA Prod and Julien Jal Pouget, held across several sites in Lyon, primarily at MJC Monplaisir.
The event features film screenings (feature films and shorts), a book and micro‑publishing fair (novels, comics, illustration), exhibitions, panels, talks, interviews, role‑playing games, concerts, virtual reality, and geek flea markets.
Since 2024, short films have been part of the official competition.
The Intergalactiques SFFF Translation Prize, dedicated to French translations of science fiction, fantasy, and fantastical works, is being launched for the 14th edition in 2026.
The 14th edition, centred on speculative fiction, explores the many ways in which science fiction and the imaginary more broadly alter and question our representations of reality—ways that may create new universes, spark wonder, induce vertigo, but also provoke unease or disorientation; ways that ultimately allow us to develop critical perspectives and challenge dominant narratives.
Imagery, storytelling, and discussion are the three modes through which Les Intergalactiques will collectively examine these questions, and what pop culture can reveal about them.
Poster @Timothée Mathelin, based on Caza’s idea.
