These days we have been preparing the submissions for the Clermont-Ferrand Festival, making it a good time to review similar French festivals.
The festival structure in France is very diverse and well-established. There are many international festivals, although some of them specialize only in European or Latin American short films or have other requirements. These five festivals I have selected have in common that all types of short films can participate without premiere or other requirements. This is one of the hallmarks of Clermont-Ferrand and other French festivals.
Take note of these festivals; some of them still have open calls, and others you can note down for next year:
#1 Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival
It is one of the most important short film festivals in the world and an essential event for the industry thanks to the Marché du Film Court. It has been held for 40 years in this town in central France during the month of February—next year, 2018, from February 2 to 10.
The programming structure is based on three main sections: international, national, and lab (for more experimental short films). Although submissions can only be made to the French and international sections, the lab selection is made internally from these by the programming team.
It accepts all types of short films, and the submission deadline is July 10 for shorts produced in 2016, and October 10 for short films produced this year. Submissions are managed through Shortfilmdepot. Although it has no premiere requirement, it is a fundamental festival and a great opportunity to begin international distribution.
#2 Paris Courts Devant
This Parisian festival has two deadlines for international short films: the first before April 15 and the second on June 30. The latter, like Clermont-Ferrand, is only for films produced in 2017. The duration must be under 26 minutes.
For submissions, they have their own form, so it is not necessary to be registered on any platform. For some sections, they have also opened via FilmFreeway.
The festival takes place from November 14 to 21 in southwest Paris, near the Mk2 Library, on the banks of the Seine and opposite the Parc de Bercy. It also features a market where distributors, programmers, and buyers can view the submitted short films.
#3 Festival Tous Courts
The festival takes place in Aix-en-Provence, a town in the south of France, also in November, starting on the 27th and ending on December 2. The international competition accepts any type of short film (documentary, fiction, animation, etc.). There is a specific section for experimental short films.
This festival was created 35 years ago by film students from the faculty of Aix-en-Provence, which led to the creation of an association that currently organizes the festival.
The submission deadline is July 1, via the French platform Filmfestplatform.
#4 Silhouette Short Film Festival
Also in Paris, but further north and away from the Seine. This international short film festival takes place in the Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge between August 25 and September 2, and has already held 15 editions. It accepts short films from any country up to 59 minutes, except for documentaries, which are only accepted up to 45 minutes.
Additionally, it has a section for young audiences, from 2 to 13 years old. The submission deadline was May 31 via the Shortfilmdepot platform.
#5 Festival du Film Court en Plein Air
This festival, also in summer, will take place from July 4 to 8 in southwest France, in the town of Grenoble. The duration of the short films must be less than 60 minutes, so it accepts medium-length films, and it also has a section for young audiences. Films from any country can participate; this year there is representation from 17 different countries.
The submission deadline was April 14, via the two French platforms, Filmfestplatform and Shortfilmdepot.
To summarize briefly
To submit your films, you must register on the two French platforms, Filmfestplatform and Shortfilmdepot, in addition to the online submission for Courts Devant. As I mentioned at the beginning, some submission dates are still open:
- Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival – July 10 / October 10
- Festival Tous Courts – July 1
- Paris Courts Devant – June 30
- Silhouette Short Film Festival – May 31
- Festival du Film Court en Plein Air – April 14
I hope this post helps you plan your festival distribution in France since, besides not requiring a premiere, it does not have many geographical or duration limitations.
Do you know of any other French festivals with these same characteristics?