Inès Rouiched

From her first film projects at secondary school to the making of her latest short film, via her professional experiences in Paris and her involvement in the voluntary sector in Rennes, our former student looks back on her journey, the people who have influenced her, and her vision for the audiovisual sector.

A passion for stories, a natural fit for cinema

Before joining Cinécréatis, Inès Rouiched had already begun to explore the world of cinema. At secondary school, she chose the Cinema and Audiovisual studies stream, an initial foray that confirmed her interest in the sector. After her A-levels, she considered applying to a specialist college but ultimately decided to take time to reflect on her career path by undertaking a one-year Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts, specialising in Cinema, at the University of Rennes 2.

It was a way of ensuring she was on the right path before committing to a more significant financial and personal investment. However, the university approach, which she felt was too theoretical and not practical enough, did not meet her expectations. She therefore turned her attention to film schools.

Cinécréatis was the first school she visited. That visit quickly made all the difference: charmed by the atmosphere, she was also won over by the three-year duration of the course and the projects on offer. Above all, she was looking for a course focused on practical training and hands-on filming experience.

This choice stemmed from a passion that went back much further. Ever since childhood, Inès has been drawn to stories, whether in the form of books, films or comic books. Initially drawn to illustration and literature, she eventually realised that these fields did not fully suit her personality. “I’m too outgoing and energetic to sit on my own all day,” she explains.

The turning point came during her first film shoot at secondary school. It was then that she realised she wanted to work in film for the rest of her life, whatever the role. What drives her above all else is helping to create imaginary worlds and sharing that experience as part of a team.

Cinécréatis: learning, experimenting and, above all, meeting people

Beyond technical skills, her training at Cinécréatis instilled in her a sense of discipline and a proper working methodology. It enabled her to gain experience on film sets, develop her skills and build a network with which she still works today.

But, looking back, Inès identifies another key benefit of her time at the school: the development of her artistic vision and her analytical skills. The course enabled her to refine her understanding of cinema, but also to approach artistic, social and political issues with greater perspective and a critical eye. She thus acquired the tools needed to construct a well-reasoned critique of social issues through artistic expression.

When she reflects on her years at Cinécréatis, however, it is the people she met who hold a special place in her memories. The friendships forged at the school continue to this day. Some of the people she met four years ago have become not only her closest friends, but also collaborators with whom she continues to make films.

Those years were also a time of new discoveries and first experiences: first films, first shoots, first parties and first loves. It was a period she fully associates with what is known as student life, rich in both personal and professional experiences.

First steps in a career that encourage you to reinvent yourself

After leaving school, the transition to working life was not straightforward. Inès admits she went through a period of uncertainty, not knowing exactly which direction to take. The search for work placements proved to be a long and demotivating process.

She eventually completed three internships in interior design in Paris, a field in which she hoped to build a career at the time. But this initial taste of the working world quickly led her to question her choices. The professional culture she encountered in the capital did not align with her values.

After a year, she therefore decided to return to Rennes. She had already begun to build up a small network in the amateur scene there, which she gradually managed to expand. One thing led to another, and new professional opportunities arose. These projects were sometimes on a smaller scale, but were more in line with her vision of work and audiovisual production.

Today, Inès is a Festival Project Manager at a local charity. Her responsibilities cover several aspects of the organisation: communications relating to the festival, managing the programme, providing support in preparing activities, and assisting organisers with setting up screenings and associated events.

It’s an environment that seems to suit her better. She now prefers to take the time to explore different possibilities to build a career path that truly suits her, and she particularly enjoys the voluntary sector.

The short film: a realm of freedom and creativity

If there is one format that particularly appeals to Inès, it is the short film. Whether she is involved in production, directing or set design, she regards the short film – whether fiction or documentary – as the most accessible and educational format, but also as the most creative.

Her approach to the profession is based on essential qualities: discipline and organisation, particularly in production, but also a great ability to get by on her own. Knowing the best tips, knowing how to surround herself with the right people and identifying the right talent are all indispensable assets in this sector.

And when asked what she enjoys most about her current job, her answer is immediate: “Watching films during my working hours!!”

Among the projects that have marked her career, one film now holds a special place: *L’Homme de ma vie*, the short film she has just directed. She regards this project as her most accomplished work as a writer and director, both for the emotional investment she has put into it and for the critical perspective it takes on the subject matter.

It is also her most ambitious project in terms of production. It is an experience of which she is immensely proud, particularly because it allowed her to prove to herself that she was capable of leading a project of this scale and bringing together such a large team. All this was achieved under conditions she had chosen herself, in line with her vision of collaborative work.