Montgenèvre, a ski resort on the Franco-Italian border. French law allows refugees to apply for asylum upon arrival in France. In practice, however, these individuals are often turned back to Italy by law enforcement without having had the opportunity to submit such an application. To access their fundamental rights, they continue their trek higher into the mountains.

On the French side, volunteers from all walks of life take turns night after night to help refugees and guide them to safety in a refuge lower down in the valley. Nightwatchers offers an immersive experience, spending a night in the mountains with them.

Dir. Juliette de Marcillac | 69min | 2023 | France

"desperate struggle of migrant crisis under surface of picture-postcard ski resort....With its rustic wooden chalets and spectacular alpine peaks, the French ski town of Montgenèvre has long been a popular holiday destination. Looking past these postcard-perfect vistas, Juliette de Marcillac’s absorbing documentary paints a very different picture, focusing instead on a humanitarian crisis that festers beneath the snow-white image of an idyllic locale" - Guardian

"an admirable first feature....Thanks to her direct cinema approach, the filmmaker offers a subtle look into the valuable and close-knit network of political engagement" - Visions du Reel

"Achingly present but only ever observing, Florian Berthellot’s camera bears witness" - Screendaily

"what gives the film a visceral sense of atmosphere is the stark fact that by day these beautiful slopes are packed with young and enthusiastic skiers who are blissfully unaware that the stunning vistas are watched over by men in camouflage uniforms. As night comes and the elegant towns are lit by welcoming lights out on the mountain trails, the police wait, both for groups walking on foot through the snow and for the volunteers who try and assist them" - Business Doc Europe

"“It is a cinematic experience in a breathtaking twilight setting, bringing to light a vital and powerful closely-knit network,” - Variety