Exports of French short films and immersive works generated €0.84 million and €1.07 million respectively in 2022, an all-time high! More than 630 titles were selected by some one hundred international festivals, winning over 215 awards.
French short films circulate, are seen and appreciated all over the world – an undeniable fact confirmed once again this year by this study. With over 1,400 titles sold to nearly 800 buyers, short films have a tangible commercial life and touch the hearts of foreign audiences on multiple screens.
The festival circuit is by far the leading "buyer" in terms of number of titles receiving big-screen presentation, but revenues are mainly generated by two types of distribution: TV acquisitions and, in recent years, video-on-demand. These markets are constantly evolving, as distribution channels diversify and, as some die out, others may emerge – a fact reflected in the adaptation of revenue structures. But, like the feature film, the short film has several lives and, from the big screen to the small, knows how to find an audience that is both accustomed and sometimes new to it. Unifrance can see this in its constant work with festivals around the world, but also online with MyFrenchFilmFestival and its many partner platforms. The same appetite can be observed through MyFrenchShorts, Unifrance's digital operation which, every month, allows us to broadcast and promote a short film in depth for six months to our foreign audiences.
Over and above the results, the short film ecosystem reveals filmmakers in the making every year. Animated shorts are a prime example of the great vitality of the genre, with its diversity and talent in all techniques, which is the bedrock of French, and even international, film and audiovisual production. Fiction films reveal auteurs and faces that will be behind the feature films (and/or series) of tomorrow. As for documentaries, a minority genre in terms of circulation, they come out on top every year with a number of flagship titles. These films win awards (over 200 by 2022), including the Golden Lion at Venice last year, the Palme d'or at Cannes, and another Golden Lion at Venice this year.
Key indicators for French shorts abroad in 2022
On the export market
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€841,599 in revenues, 3,375 sales and 1,400 titles sold.
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785 buyers, led by Disney+ (United States).
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Animation and fiction account for over 90% of total exports.
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Mum is Pouring Rain, best performance in terms of revenues
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The Right Words, leading film in terms of sales
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Western Europe (€0.32 million) and the United States (€0.14 million) are respectively the leading geographic zone and the leading country in terms of sales.
In festivals
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606 French short films selected, 13,589 presentations in 81 international festivals followed by Unifrance
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215 awards won.
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Luce and the Rock: top film in terms of number of awards and selections.
Immersive creation, another short format whose results abroad have been widely evaluated in this study for five years now, is not to be outdone, with figures remaining at a high level and with unrivalled recognition at festivals around the world.
Key indicators for French immersive works abroad in 2022
On the export market
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€1,076,065 in sales, 175 sales and 50 titles sold.
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92 buyers, led by Pico (China).
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Animation accounts for more than half of total exports.
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Madrid Noir, leading work in terms of revenues
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Asia (€0.69 million) and China (€0.59 million) are respectively the leading geographic zone and the leading country in terms of sales.
In festivals
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28 French immersive works selected, 53 presentations in 13 international festivals followed by Unifrance
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2 awards won
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On the Morning You Wake (To The End Of The World): top immersive work in terms of number of selections
