On January 30, Clermont-Ferrand set sail for the 48th edition of its International Short Film Festival. An imaginary cruise edition, judging by the symbolism of the 2026 poster, designed by Lithuanian illustrator Karolis Strautniekas: an invitation to set sail and discover unknown worlds and unique stories. At each stage and in every theater, there were films for everyone, seasoned viewers and novices alike, that will get people talking, thinking, laughing, or crying. So many moments to share, reminding us that short films, the cradle of the 7th art, enjoy their finest hours of glory every year in Auvergne.
No fewer than 154 French films or films co-produced with France were screened in most of the festival's strands, including:
- 51 in National Competition
- 18 in International Competition
- 8 in Lab Competition
- 4 works in XR Competition, the latest addition to the competition strands
All the French titles presented during the 48th festival can be found here
Alongside National, International, and Lab Competitions, films aimed at young audiences and a number of other bold, inventive works are presented in special or themed programs, including a Southeast Asian panorama featuring Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites (a US/France/Cambodia co-production), which has been selected for numerous international festivals and won an award in 2025 at Sundance.
We would also like to highlight the Carte Blanche awarded to Don Quichotte Films, winner of the Procirep Prize in 2025. Established in 1997, this prize recognizes outstanding work in the sector.
This year the nominees for the same prize were: Barney Production, Kidam, Punchline Cinéma, and Yukunkun Productions.
🏆 Palmares 🏆
- Grand prix compétition nationale : Intersecting Memory by Shayma' Awawdeh
- Grand prix compétition internationale : Bleu Heart by Samuel Suffren
- Grand prix compétition labo : God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles
- Prix spécial du jury compétition nationale : Bread and Games by Léa Tarral & Judith Longuet-Marx
- Prix spécial du jury compétition labo : L'mina by Randa Maroufi
- Prix du public compétition nationale : Please Hold by Solal Bouloudnine
- Prix du public compétition labo : Sixty-Seven Milliseconds by fleuryfontaine, Galdric Fleury, Antoine Fontaine
- Prix SACD de la meilleure première ou deuxième œuvre de fiction : Beneath the Ruins by Nadhir Bouslama
- Prix SACD de la meilleure animation francophone : Sulaimani by Vinnie Ann Bose
- Prix SACEM de la meilleure musique originale : Amélie Bonfils for the film Curiosity on Planet Mars by Tommy Baron
- Prix Canal+ : Please Hold by Solal Bouloudnine
- Prix d'interprétation compétition nationale : Marie Denys for the film Fanny at the Beach de Raphaëlle Petit-Gille
- Prix étudiant national : Murs by Basile Charpentier
- Prix étudiant international : Bleat! by Ananth Subramaniam
- Prix du rire Fernand Raynaud : Bread and Games by Léa Tarral, Judith Longuet-Marx
- Prix du Queer métrage : Birthmark by George Peter Barbari
- Prix Festivals Connexion : Sixty-Seven Milliseconds by fleuryfontaine, Galdric Fleury, Antoine Fontaine
- Prix des effets spéciaux : Um by Nieto
- Prix Procirep du producteur de courts-métrages : Kidam
- Mention spéciale du jury étudiant national : Intersecting Memory by Shayma' Awawdeh
- Mention spéciale du jury étudiant labo : The Man in White by Aman
The international Market
The 41st Market, an essential networking event, were held from Monday, February 2 to Thursday, February 5 at the iconic Fleury Gymnasium. Its primary mission is to support, structure, and energize global film production. Historically present in this context, Unifrance hosted the following 12 international sales companies and organizations at its booth, which is open to all its members: L'Agence du court métrage, Autour de Minuit, Cinestrib Distribution, Fløw, La Kourmétragerie, La Luna Distribution, Manifest, Miyu Distribution, Next Film Distribution, oriGine films, Salaud Morisset, and Shortcuts.
Unifrance also supported artists and professionals from the immersive world, whose presence at the Market for the second consecutive year with the XR Corner attracted those most curious about a universe that is steadily growing in scope, giving it an undeniable place in today's film landscape.
Unifrance's presence
During the week of the world's largest short film market, Unifrance's activities focused on key events designed to promote exchanges and build bridges between French and foreign professionals.
Tuesday, February 3
9.30am – 11.30am: Networking breakfast
In partnership with TitraFilm, and with the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles Images, Sodec, and Swiss Films
By invitation only
3.30pm – 4.30pm: Unifrance round-table
"Catalog/heritage short films: what happens after their initial release?”
Speakers: Clément Bigot (L'Agence du court métrage), Lucie Canistro (Sooner), Anne Luthaud (GREC - Groupe de Recherches et d'Essais Cinématographiques), Nina Rebel-Faure (Nina Rebel-Faure)
Moderator: Laurence Reymond (Unifrance)
Venue: Hôtel Radisson (formerly Kyriad Prestige) – Salon Coubertin
Free admission
Wednesday, February 4
9.30am – 11.30am: Networking breakfast
In partnersip with TitraFilm, and the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles Images (WBI), Sodec, and SWISS FILMS
By invitation only
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Unifrance Presentation
“Unifrance programs and distribution figures for short films around the world”
Moderators: Tiziana D'Egidio and Laurence Reymond
Speakers: Andréa Goncalves (Manifest) – Luigi Loy (Sacrebleu Productions)
Free admission
To consult the list of the main Market events: https://www.shortfilmwire.com/fr/2026/evenements
Media Gallery
