As part of the 27th Festival Off-Courts de Trouville—a key event marking the start of the industry’s new season—Unifrance is releasing its annual reports analyzing the distribution of French short films abroad.
In 2024, export revenues from French short films exceeded €1 million for the first time. We are pleased to note that it remained above this symbolic threshold in 2025!
A closer look at the data reveals a slight decline in export revenues, mainly due to a drop in investments from streaming platforms—whose combined revenues nevertheless reached its second-highest level of the decade. A significant shift took place in 2025, as television networks overtook streaming platforms as the leading buyers of French short films. The geography of international distribution for French short films has not undergone any major changes over the course of a year: North America and Europe have consolidated their key roles, thanks to VOD platforms and loyal television networks, respectively.
Among the top-selling films of 2025, the following stand out: Yuck!, Capybaras, Filante, L'Enfant seul, The Man Who Couldn't Remain Silent, The Sixth Side of the Pentagon, Mango, and Wander to Wonder. Given the titles listed above, it comes as no surprise that productions with only a minority-French share and those in foreign languages have tallied their highest box office revenues since this study began. This demonstrates not only the multicultural nature of French films on offer but also the evolving market landscape. Indeed, on the one hand, French industry professionals are seeking foreign partners to help cover production costs; on the other hand, France benefits from a unique system that attracts foreign professionals.
French short films continued to make a name for themselves at major film festivals around the world and to win numerous awards. Ordinary Life built a solid festival career after winning the Silver Bear at the Berlinale. God is Shy, The Night Boots, and Their Eyes all enjoyed a stellar year.
THE MAJOR MARKET INDICATORS IN 2025
Exports
€1.1 million in revenues, 3,771 sales, and 1,446 titles sold.
Fiction accounted for almost 50% of total exports.
Yuck! was the top-grossing French short film.
Carpybaras was the top-selling French short film.
Western Europe and the United States were the top geographic region and the top country, respectively, in terms of revenues.
In festivals
711 French short films selected and 1,777 selections at 101 international festivals surveyed by Unifrance.
160 awards won.
Ordinary Life was the top French short film in terms of the number of selections.
God is Shy was the top French short film in terms of the number of awards.
Clermont-Ferrand was the top festival in terms of the number of selections and awards.
The 2025 Annual Report is available for download below (in French only).
Study
Unifrance - Bilan annuel 2025 - Les courts-métrages français à l'export et dans les festivals à l'international
