CODE OF ETHICS
The Biarritz Film Festival – NOUVELLES VAGUES is a film festival dedicated to the art of cinema, whose purpose is to highlight youth and new generations through a programme that carries the narrative and urgency of youth.
The Biarritz Film Festival – NOUVELLES VAGUES association is a French non-profit organisation established on 21 November 2022 and governed by the French law of 1 July 1901 and the decree of 16 August 1901 (hereinafter referred to as “FIFB” or “the Association”). Its mission is to develop and promote the perspective of new generations within the film industry, with the aim of serving the general interest of the sector.
PURPOSE OF THE CHARTER
The Ethical Charter of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues (hereinafter the “Charter”) constitutes a moral and solemn commitment, a binding relationship of trust between the leadership of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, its board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners.
The Charter contributes to the implementation by BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, within the scope of its mission, of the principles and values of equality, gender balance, diversity, non-discrimination, and commitment to a sustainable, social, and solidarity-based approach that is respectful of current societal challenges. The Charter places loyalty, ethics, responsibility, and transparency at the heart of the commitment of all individuals.
Its binding force arises from the willingness of the leadership, board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues to engage together in the organisation’s mission and to uphold the values embodied by BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, in all representations and actions carried out, directly or indirectly, by each of them, both personally and professionally, towards any third party.
The Charter shall be provided to all officers, board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners of BFF, and shall be appended to the Internal Regulations of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues. It may also be published on the website https://www.nouvelles-vagues.org/ and be consulted at any time.
The Charter applies to any person participating in the mission of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, who is therefore considered a “signatory” of the Charter and is bound to respect its principles and values set out in Article 2 and under the conditions of Article 4 below.
ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE CHARTER
The Charter contributes to fulfilling the purpose of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues through the implementation and promotion, within the scope of its activities and operations, and more particularly in the context of the Biarritz International Film Festival, of the principles and values of equality, gender balance, diversity, non-discrimination, and commitment to a sustainable, social, and solidarity-based approach within the film industry.
The Charter is based on fundamental principles, texts, and rights arising from legal, regulatory, and contractual provisions that prohibit any form of discrimination of any kind, based on sex, racial or ethnic origin or nationality, religion or beliefs, disability, age, sexual orientation, political opinions, as well as any other forms of discrimination.
The Charter also draws on legal provisions promoting gender equality, with a view to actions aimed at ensuring equal treatment and equal access to cultural and artistic creation and production, as well as equality in all fields of artistic creation.
The Charter reflects all legal, regulatory, and contractual provisions prohibiting harassment—whether sexual or moral—verbal and physical assault, and any violation or attempted violation of a person’s integrity.
In accordance with these core principles, BFF – Nouvelles Vagues also seeks to promote and ensure respect by its officers, board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners of the following values:
Equality:
Respecting and ensuring respect for equality between women and men, gender balance, diversity, and fairness within the organisation and in all professional and collaborative relationships.
Inclusion:
Promoting the development of each individual’s uniqueness within a collective environment, without assimilation or exclusion, and removing barriers to accessibility for all, particularly in access to professions, funding, and cross-sector benefits within the film industry.
Integrity:
Acting with honesty and moral integrity at all times and in strict compliance with laws and regulations, while maintaining particular attention to the safeguarding and well-being of individuals.
Commitment:
Acting with dedication, loyalty, and reliability towards colleagues, partners, and third parties, in compliance with the core principles and values of the Charter.
Loyalty:
Respecting commitments made through adherence to the Charter and applying its values with responsibility, truthfulness, and transparency, both personally and professionally.
Kindness:
Promoting and preserving the well-being of all individuals, regardless of differences, ranging from courtesy to altruism, maintaining attentiveness, and refraining from judgment, prejudice, stereotyping, or disparagement of others’ opinions and beliefs.
Solidarity:
Being guided by a sense of humanity and social cohesion that encourages mutual support and collaboration, with the aim of reducing inequalities—particularly social ones—and fostering representation within the film industry.
Diversity:
Encouraging training, professional development, and civic engagement, while fostering collaborative attitudes both internally and externally and adapting practices to diversity and the cross-disciplinary nature of profiles.
Respect:
Showing consideration for every person at all times as a human being, and standing against any inappropriate, offensive, disrespectful, degrading, humiliating behaviour or any behaviour that threatens the safety or integrity of individuals.
Sharing:
Sharing with colleagues, partners, and audiences both experience and the core values of the Charter.
COMMITMENTS OF THE BIARRITZ FILM FESTIVAL – NOUVELLES VAGUES
By this Charter, and in accordance with the principles and values set out above, BFF – Nouvelles Vagues COMMITS TO:
1. Celebrating youth, its perspective and diversity within the film industry through its screenings, concerts, exhibitions, and events, as well as through its young juries—on the one hand composed of artists under 35, and on the other hand of international students from leading film schools. In its actions, the organisation concurrently stands against stereotypes, discrimination, and violence related to sex, gender, origin, disability, religion, or a person’s identity, and seeks to prevent and oppose any harm to the physical or moral integrity of any person, any form of direct or indirect aggression, harassment, and any violation of physical or mental health and integrity;
2. Establishing a procedure for addressing any breach of the Charter and any failure to comply with its principles and values, applicable to officers, board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners of FIFB.
COMMITMENTS OF THE CHARTER SIGNATORIES
By this Charter, and in light of the principles and values set out in Article 2 above, each signatory of the Charter agrees to respect its principles and values both in their relationship with BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, its leadership, board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners, and in their relations and interactions with third parties, particularly within the film industry. Each signatory acknowledges the binding nature of the Charter as well as the consequences of any breach.
As such, EVERY SIGNATORY OF THE CHARTER AGREES TO:
1. Respect, within the framework of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, both in a personal capacity and in their professional and/or employment context, the essential principles and values set out in Article 2 of the Charter, and to build, maintain, and preserve an environment of exchange, trust, and confidentiality that fosters listening and personal development;
2. Uphold and respect the mission of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues within their professional and/or employment activities, and to stand within their organisation and professional relationships against all forms of discrimination and violence—whether related to gender, sexual orientation, origin, disability, or a person’s identity—as well as against all forms of verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, and to act in favour of inclusion and gender equality in salaries, teams, and decision-making bodies;
3. Embody and maintain an exemplary attitude consistent with the values and core principles of the Charter, and refrain from any breach of integrity or probity, any behaviour detrimental to the interests of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, or any act likely to harm the image of the Association;
4. Immediately and transparently inform the leadership of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues of any fact or action contrary to the above, in order to engage in honest dialogue with them.
BREACHES OF THE CHARTER
Any breach of the Charter may lead to the exclusion and dismissal of officers, board members, members, employees, volunteers, contributors, beneficiaries, and partners of FIFB, in accordance with the provisions of the Association’s bylaws, and in compliance with applicable regulations and the Association’s Internal Rules.
The individual concerned undertakes not to harm the interests, image, or mission of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues, nor its officers, members, employees, contributors, or beneficiaries, and not to publicly claim or refer to their past relationship with BFF – Nouvelles Vagues.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE CHARTER
The Charter is adopted by the executive committee of BFF – Nouvelles Vagues. It shall be regularly reviewed and evaluated by the same body in order to ensure the ongoing consistency of the principles and values it sets out with the activities and initiatives carried out by BFF – Nouvelles Vagues.
REPORTING PROCEDURE
In the event of violence, harassment, or sexist behaviour.
Any act or behaviour that a volunteer considers likely to constitute a situation of violence, harassment, or sexist conduct, whether they are the victim or a witness, may be reported to the Association as soon as possible.
Who should you contact?
Association-designated contacts:
Léa Cantin
lea.cantin@nouvelles-vagues.org
Magali Dolhats
magali.dolhats@nouvelles-vagues.org
+33 (0)6 69 79 82 48
Dedicated contact email address:
contact@nouvelles-vagues.org
In case of emergency:
Please immediately contact any member of the permanent team identified by the Association.