Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival
Clermont-Ferrand, France
Festival at a Glance
Submission Platform
Event Dates
January 30 to February 7, 2026 (festival); Short Film Market from February 2 to 5, 2026.
Contact Email
Submission Fee
€13 submission fee + 1 Shortfilmdepot stamp must be paid via Shortfilmdepot.com.
Festival Type
International Short Film Festival
Suitable For
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is best for emerging and international short filmmakers, industry pros (distributors, broadcasters), and passionate short film audiences seeking massive exposure, networking, and prestige in the world’s leading short film event.
Estimated Participants
Professionals in the film and audiovisual industry; attending professionals; festival-goers
Location
Jean-&-Honoré-Fleury gymnasium
Festival Location
Acceptance Difficulty
Easy
Moderate
Very Competitive
Festival Guide
OverView
Film Submission Details
Participators
Technical Specs
Requirements
Genres
Travel Perks
Past Winners
Success Story
Festival Overview
The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is the world’s largest and most prestigious short film event, held annually in Clermont-Ferrand, France (47th edition: January 30 – February 7, 2026). It attracts over 173,000 spectators and 4,000+ professionals, screening around 400 films selected from ~9,500 submissions across 90 countries. Founded in 1979 and international since 1988, it features competitive sections (International, National, Lab for experimental works, XR for immersive), a major Short Film Market for sales/distribution, educational programs, and qualifies films for Oscars, Césars, BAFTAs, and European Film Awards. Organized by the nonprofit Sauve qui peut le court métrage, it serves as the global hub for emerging short filmmakers, industry networking, and celebrating short cinema as an art form.
Who Is clermont-ferrand short film festival Best For?
The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is best for emerging and international short filmmakers, including young directors, film school graduates, and experimental creators seeking global exposure, prestige (Oscar/César-qualifying), and career launches through competitions and a massive audience of over 173,000.
✅ Good Fit If
- Your film is a short (up to 40 min) in any genre: fiction, animation, documentary, experimental, hybrid
- You are an emerging, young, or international filmmaker seeking maximum exposure
- You aim for a world, international, or European premiere (though not strictly required)
- Your work is innovative, bold, artistic, or offbeat (especially for the Lab section)
- You want huge public visibility (170,000+ spectators), industry networking, and sales/distribution opportunities
❌ Not a Good Fit If
- Your film is a feature-length project (longer than 40 minutes)
- You are only interested in long-form cinema or series
- You are looking for a red-carpet celebrity event with major Hollywood glamour
- Your film has already been widely distributed or broadcast in France and you need strict premiere status
Who Might Not Be a Good Fit?
- Feature filmmakers
- Commercial studio-driven long-form projects
- Filmmakers uninterested in short-form storytelling or the short film market
- Those seeking an ultra-exclusive, low-attendance boutique festival
key festival Facts
Founded:
1979
Location:
Clermont-Ferrand, France
Festival Type:
International Short Film Festival
Frequency:
Annual (Late January / Early February)
Submission Platform:
Shortfilmdepot at https://shortfilmdepot.com/en/festival or https://shortfilmdepot.com/en/festival/Clermont_Ferrand_ISFF)
Premiere Status:
No premiere required
Film Submission Details
Submission Notes:
Submission deadlines for the 2027 edition (expected call opens May 2026): typically July 10, 2026 (for films completed in late 2025) and September 25 / October 2, 2026 (for films completed in 2026) – exact dates to be confirmed when the call opens. No separate project/pitch deadlines (festival does not have pitching sessions like FIPADOC Pro). All information based on historical patterns; check official site in May 2026 for updated 2027 deadlines.
Admission with specific festival ticket; For professionals: applications reserved for film and audiovisual industry professionals, submit online from 4 December 2025 to 20 January 2026 via
Genres & Program Sections
All genres (Fiction, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, etc.); no specific age/topic restrictions beyond runtime and non-commercial rules.
Career Impact & Success Stories
Clermont-Ferrand, as the world’s largest short film festival and an official Oscar-qualifying event (Grand Prix winners in International and National competitions qualify for Academy Awards consideration in Live Action and Animated Short categories), serves as a major launchpad for emerging filmmakers, providing massive audience exposure (170,000+ spectators), industry networking via the Short Film Market, sales/distribution deals, and prestige that propels careers toward features, major festivals, and awards
Awards & Recognition :
Curfew (2012 International Audience Award) → Oscar win for Best Live Action Short Film at the 85th Academy Awards.
Logorama (2009 Selection) → Oscar win for Best Animated Short Film at the 82nd Academy Awards.
The Wrong Trousers (1993 Award Winner) → Launched Nick Park’s career in stop-motion animation, leading to multiple Oscars for the Wallace & Gromit series.
Next Floor (2008 Canal+ Award) → Boosted Denis Villeneuve’s international profile, paving the way for features like Incendies and Arrival. Daughters (2010 Selection) → Helped launch Chloé Zhao’s career, leading to Oscar wins for Nomadland.
Peel (1986 Selection) → Contributed to Jane Campion’s early recognition, culminating in Oscar wins for The Piano.
The Last Dog in Rwanda (2007 Grand Prix) → Gained worldwide festival invitations and advanced Jens Assur’s directing career.
Travel Perks :
The festival does not generally offer full flight or hotel coverage for all filmmakers. However, selected filmmakers (particularly those in competition) may receive partial reimbursement for travel expenses or discounted accommodation. Official invitation letters are available upon request to support visa applications.
Festival Contact & Information
Official Website
https://www.lecourt-clermont.org/en/Submission Platform
Social Media